Advanced Diploma in Protests and Social Movements
3th Cohort | Virtual Modality
ACADEMIC COORDINATION:
Breno Bringel (Institute of Social and Political Studies, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Julian Rebon (Gino Germani Institute, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina)
PROFESSORS
Anahí Durand (National University of San Marcos, Peru), Antonio Álvarez Benavides (UNED, Spain), Breno Bringel (State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Carolina Jimenez (National University of Colombia, Colombia), Elvira Cuadra (Center for Communication Research, Nicaragua), Gina Vargas (Flora Tristán Peruvian Women's Center, Peru), Julian Rebon (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina), Leandro Gamallo (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina), Massimo Modonesi (UNAM, Mexico), maristella svampa (CONICET and National University of La Plata, Argentina), Sebastian Caviedes (University of Chile) and Sofia Donoso (University of Chile and COES, Chile)
Virtual format | June to September 2024
This pedagogical proposal aims to introduce students to the main theoretical and methodological tools for understanding contemporary protests and social movements, with a special emphasis on Latin America. The course offers a broad bibliography with diverse approaches from the social sciences. Furthermore, it seeks to share concrete tools for action for social leaders involved in ongoing conflicts.
From a social science perspective, it is crucial to understand societies through the lens of conflict. Even in the classic and foundational debates of our disciplines, conflict emerged as an unavoidable concept in any reflection, ranging from perspectives that explained it as a pathological and anomic element to those that understood it as a driving force for change and social emancipation. Since then, the study of protest, social movements, and their forms of struggle has become essential for understanding political and social change. This course is situated within this latter tradition. We understand protests and social movements as "thermometers" of society, and therefore it is fundamental to analyze them in all their complexity, attempting to relate them to broader societal changes. The uprisings and revolts in various countries of the region, the rise of feminist and environmental movements, and the challenges posed by conservative movements are recent examples in this direction.
The Diploma program is situated within this framework of concerns, drawing on diverse intellectual traditions, both classical and contemporary. The program is structured around five thematic modules. The first module introduces the basic concepts of the field of study and reviews the main classical currents within their historical context of emergence. The second module examines contemporary theories and their central themes, aiming to organize the conceptual debate on protests and social movements in a didactic and updated way. The third module, engaging with the previously developed theoretical content and adopting a critical perspective, presents different methodological approaches. Finally, the fourth module discusses Latin American contributions to the field of collective action and social movements, reviewing various axes of conflict and emblematic movements in relation to the social changes they express and promote. Finally, in closing, the contemporary moment of political and social struggles in our America is addressed, examining the recent uprisings, the protests in the context of the pandemic and the general contribution of mobilization to the current political dynamics in the region.
The course offers a broad, introductory overview of the discussion on protests and social movements, examining the historical shifts in the debate and the various traditions of thought. It is important to clarify, however, that the need to address social conflict theoretically does not imply mere debate among authors and schools of thought within the social sciences, but rather the construction of analytical frameworks that allow us to understand mobilization experiences, especially those in Latin America.
For this reason, the Diploma program emphasizes the theoretical and conceptual framework, while also maintaining a constant focus on how to apply the categories to analyze specific cases of popular struggles. In this sense, special emphasis will also be placed on the methodological and epistemological consequences of the different approaches. In other words, for each proposal, we will examine its fundamental assumptions, its fields of observation, and the various data collection techniques, sources, and procedures derived from them.
Furthermore, understanding the belligerent processes in our region means comprehending the actors involved in the conflicts and the ongoing struggle for autonomy among subaltern sectors, as well as the disputes surrounding public policies and state power. Ultimately, it means gaining a deeper and more accurate understanding of political cycles and processes. Contrary to perspectives that believe political change can only be observed in electoral and formal processes, we propose to address Latin American politics in its various dimensions, including cultural change and the interaction between experiences of popular organization and political systems and processes.
These concerns are not limited exclusively to the scientific and academic sphere. We hope that the seminar will allow for a better characterization of these struggles, suggesting dimensions of analysis and tools for research, but it will also seek to provide intellectual resources for those activists and social leaders who aspire to develop a critical perspective on their own activism within the field of current sociopolitical disputes.
Finally, this proposal aims to promote Latin American dialogue on the topic. To this end, it brings together twelve instructors (six female and six male) from nine countries, fostering a broad academic exchange among different postgraduate programs. All the instructors are recognized specialists in the seminar's subject matter, contributing diverse yet complementary perspectives and sensibilities. The team also includes tutors who will support students throughout the Diploma program, facilitating discussion forums and addressing any questions that may arise.
GENERAL PURPOSE
The aim of this Advanced Diploma is to introduce theoretical and methodological tools for understanding contemporary protests and social movements. It seeks to provide a general overview of the theories and main manifestations of current social conflicts, with a special emphasis on Latin America's place in the world.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
- To provide an introduction to classic and contemporary debates on protests and social movements
- To address the role of protests and social movements in the transformation and reproduction of the social field.
- Critically review different methodological strategies and research techniques used in the subject.
- Analyze recent cases and experiences from Latin America and the world using the conceptual and analytical tools presented in class.
- To examine how social movements seek to provide answers to some of the major societal challenges of our historical time.
- To generate exchanges of experiences, readings and reflections between the students and the teaching team, promoting Latin American dialogue and academic cooperation on the seminar topic.
The Higher Diploma in Protests and Social Movements is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students; teachers at all levels; activists and members of trade unions, social movements and political parties; public officials; members and managers of non-governmental organizations and professionals interested in the subject.
- Anahí Durand (National University of San Marcos, Peru)
- Antonio Álvarez Benavides (UNED, Spain)
- Breno Bringel (State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
- Carolina Jimenez (National University of Colombia, Colombia)
- Elvira Cuadra (Center for Communication Research, Nicaragua)
- Gina Vargas (Flora Tristán Peruvian Women's Center, Peru)
- Julian Rebon (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Leandro Gamallo (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Massimo Modonesi (UNAM, Mexico)
- maristella svampa (CONICET and National University of La Plata, Argentina)
- Sebastian Caviedes (University of Chile, Chile)
- Sofia Donoso (University of Chile and COES, Chile)
The program consists of 5 modules of 3 weekly classes each, taught consecutively and linked together.
Total workload of 128 hours.
The modules that comprise the Higher Diploma are:
Class 1. Initial Meeting
Modality: Synchronous
Teachers in charge: Breno Bringel and Julian Rebon
Conceptual summary of the class: This class will be divided into two parts. In the first half, we will present the activities and the academic proposal and take the opportunity to give a group presentation. The second half will provide a substantive introduction to the course and discuss the The concept of conflict in relation to social order. It includes themes and issues such as the emergence or absence of struggles, the social relationship of struggle, and the sociopolitical dynamics of conflict. Furthermore, bIt seeks to historically reconstruct the formation of social movements in modernity and discuss central contextual elements for the emergence of theoretical-political debates on social conflict, protests and social movements.
Class 2. Conflict and movements in Marx and in Marxisms
Modality: Asynchronous
Teacher in charge: Julian Rebon
Conceptual summary of the class: The inherent contradictions of capitalism: the inevitability of conflict. Driving forces of change and social conflict. The concept of social class and the Problems with its definition. The theory of class struggle. Structure, formation and class struggle. Class consciousness and experience. Evolutions and transformations of Marxism. Challenges and updates to the Marxist perspective today.
Class 3. From collective behavior to collective action
Modality: Asynchronous
Professor in charge: Leandro Gamallo
Conceptual summary of the class: Developments in functionalism regarding social conflict: theories of collective behavior. The notion of relative deprivation and frustration theory. Methodological individualism and its critiques of Marxism and functionalism. Olson's "collective action dilemma." Proposed solutions: the resource mobilization structure. The figure of the "political entrepreneur." Utilitarianism and anti-utilitarianism. Collective action as an analytical unit.
Class 4. From collective action to political subjects and processes
Modality: Synchronous
Teacher in charge: Sofia Donoso
Conceptual summary of the class: Critiques of theories of collective action and resource mobilization. Theories of the political process. Repertoires of collective and long-term action. The “return” of political subjects. Pluralism and identities. Subjectivities and political culture. Theories of new social movements in Europe and Latin America. Theoretical syntheses of the 1990s. From “Power in Movement” to the debate on “political confrontation” (Contentious Politics). Political opportunities. Cycles and dynamics of protests. From structuralism to relational dynamics. Opening and fragmentation of the field of study.
Class 5. Fragmentation and theoretical renewal: Trends and conceptual approaches in the 21st Century
Modality: Asynchronous
Teacher in charge: Breno Bringel
Conceptual summary of the class: Mapping the main recent theories and approaches to collective action and social movements: emotions, alter activism, cognitive perspectives, and theoretical “turns.” New debates on spatiality, temporality, and form-movement.
Class 6. From collective action to social change
Modality: Asynchronous
Teacher in charge: Julian Rebon
Conceptual summary of the class: Review and integration of key concepts in the study of conflict. Forms of conflict. The relationship between protest, movements, and social change. The different types of impacts of collective action.
Class 7. From theories to data and social reality
Modality: Synchronous
Teacher in charge: Antonio Álvarez-Benavides
Conceptual summary of the class: From theory to data. The tension between object and subject. Commitment and ethics in the study of social movements. Participatory action research and epistemological debates. Socio-praxis. The production of meaning and society through social movements.
Class 8. Quantitative Techniques
Modality: Asynchronous
Professor in charge: Julian Rebon
Conceptual summary of the class: Quantitative techniques: the construction of event catalogs. Newspaper archives and state records. Problems and strengths. Participant surveys: attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of struggle. Conflict statistics and comparisons between countries and regions. Presentation of landmark studies.
Class 9. Qualitative Techniques
Modality: Asynchronous
Teacher in charge: Breno Bringel
Conceptual summary of the class: Introduction to different methodological possibilities and qualitative techniques in the study of social movements, including, among others: i) Participant observation; ii) Interviews; iii) Life histories; iv) Historical analysis: documents and oral history; v) Longitudinal analysis and analysis of political and protest cycles; vi) Focus groups; vii) Discourse analysis and frame analysis; viii) Conflict mapping and critical cartography. Presentation of exemplary studies.
Class 10. Latin American contributions to the debate on social conflict and social movements
Modality: Asynchronous
Professor in charge: Massimo Modonesi
Conceptual summary of the class: The field of debate on social movements in Latin America; political cycles and mobilization cycles. Subalternity, antagonism, and autonomy in Latin American sociopolitical movements. Historical and sociopolitical matrices. Central theoretical debates: territoriality, community formation, autonomies, and the State. Latin American contributions to the global debate on social movements.
Class 11. Movements and social change (I): Feminisms in action
Modality: Synchronous
Professor in charge: Gina Vargas
Conceptual summary of the class: The construction of Latin American feminisms. Feminist movements: tensions and convergences. Rights and autonomy. Latin American feminisms and their spaces of articulation. Contemporary feminist internationalism. New conceptualizations of feminisms from Our America. Antifeminism and conservatism. New practices and women's movements.
Class 12. Movements and social change (II): Territories, socio-environmental conflict and alternatives to development
Modality: Asynchronous
Professor in charge: maristella svampa
Conceptual summary of the class: The centrality of territorial and socio-environmental conflicts. The interrelationship between the social and the environmental. Perspectives on the debate surrounding the Anthropocene, Capitalocene, and Collapse from Latin America. Alternatives to development and "horizon-concepts." Green capitalism, social movements, and the future: just and popular eco-social transitions.
Class 13. Outbreaks and socio-political processes in comparative perspective: Chile and Colombia
Modality: Asynchronous
Professor in charge: Carolina Jiménez (Colombia) and Sebastián Caviedes (Chile)
Conceptual summary of the class: A comparative approach to recent uprisings and revolts. Historical and social context and development dynamics. Neoliberalism, revolt, and social change. The institutional projection of the uprisings. Multiple impacts of the protests and their relationship to sociopolitical processes.
Class 14. Outbreaks and socio-political processes in comparative perspective: Peru and Nicaragua
Modality: Asynchronous
Professor in charge: Anahí Durand (Peru) and Elvira Cuadra (Nicaragua)
Conceptual summary of the class: A comparative approach to recent uprisings and revolts. Historical and social context and development dynamics. Political regime, left-wing and national-popular governments, revolt and social change. Repression and criminalization. Organization and solidarity in hostile contexts. The role of collective memory in social and political mobilization.
Class 15. Political Confrontation in Latin America
Modality: Synchronous
Teachers in charge: Breno Bringel and Julián Rebón
Conceptual summary of the class: The relationship between protest cycles and political cycles. Resistance to the first wave of Neoliberal restructurings. End of the “progressive cycle”: role and tensions with social movements. The emergence of social movements from “above” and collective actions with Regressive demands. The new political moment in Latin America: asynchronicity of cases and new trends Political and economic threats to democracies: the rise of authoritarianism. Soft coups and the militarization of politics. The new restructurings Neoliberals: the main components of the protest and its forms. Repression of the protest and defense of rights Humans. Feminism as an agent of change. The challenges of the movements Social issues. How important is social protest in the region's politics? Interactions between protest, the political system, and power.
| In one payment by 05/06 | In one payment after 05/06 | Payment in 3 installments | |
| CM Pleno | $185 | $240 | USD 315 (3 x USD 105) |
| CM Associate | $185 | $240 | USD 315 (3 x USD 105) |
| No link | $310 | $370 | USD 540 (3 x USD 180) |
To participate, it is essential that you register using the online form.
Upon completion of the registration process, you will receive a confirmation in your email.
Classes will begin in June and will conclude in September 2024.
All registered participants will receive the necessary instructions to access the classes, bibliography and discussion forums through the CLACSO Virtual Training Space.
Accessing and navigating the Virtual Learning Environment is very simple and user-friendly. In any case, a technical and academic support team will always be available to you.
Exceptional criteria: In exceptional cases, and within the first month of the start of the Advanced Diploma program, students may request to withdraw from the cohort and rejoin the following year. In all cases, the reasons for the request must be submitted in writing. After that period of time has elapsed since the start of the course, no requests will be accepted.
Money paid will only be refunded in cases where the organizing institutions decide to cancel the activity.
Payment can be made in one installment by credit card, bank deposit, or bank transfer. We also offer the option of paying in 3 installments.
Yes. There will be discounts for students belonging to CLACSO Member Centers and CLACSO Associated Centers, for CLACSO Associate Researchers, and for all those who pay within the discount period.
Queries: WhatsApp:+54 9 11 3880 – 1388https://sistemas.clacso.org/inscripciones/formacion/acceso.php?inscrip=cu&formacion=807
E-mail: [email protected]
