Advanced Diploma in Protests and Social Movements

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. This need to address conflict theoretically goes beyond mere discussions among authors and schools of thought within the social sciences; rather, it seeks to construct analytical frameworks that allow us to understand mobilization experiences, especially those in Latin America.

For this reason, the seminar emphasizes the theoretical and conceptual aspects, but with ongoing reflection 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 implications of the different approaches; that is, considering for each proposal its fields of observation, how to conduct them, and the various data collection techniques, sources, and procedures that derive from them.

Furthermore, understanding the belligerent processes in our continent means comprehending the ongoing struggle for autonomy by subaltern sectors, the disputes surrounding public policies and state power; in short, it means getting closer to explaining the political cycles of our region. Against a (neo)institutionalist perspective that believes it can discern political changes solely in electoral and formal processes, we propose to approach Latin American politics in all its complexity, that is, from the perspective of experiences of popular organization and its interaction with political systems and processes.

These concerns are not limited exclusively to the scientific and academic sphere. We hope that this diploma program will allow for a better understanding of these struggles, suggesting dimensions of analysis and tools for research, but also that it will provide intellectual resources for activists and social leaders who aspire to develop a critical perspective on their own activism within the current sociopolitical landscape.

Finally, this proposal aims to promote Latin American dialogue on the topic. To this end, it brings together nine female and five male professors from 13 postgraduate programs in eight Latin American and Caribbean countries and one from the United States, fostering academic exchange among the different programs and building future networks. All the course instructors are recognized specialists in the seminar's subject matter, contributing diverse yet complementary perspectives and sensibilities. Two tutors complete the team.

Objective

• 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, using the conceptual and analytical tools presented in class, different recent cases and experiences from Latin America and the world.
• Examining the relationship between 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.

• Ailynn Torres (Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, Cuba),
• Angela Alonso (University of São Paulo, Brazil)
• Antonio Álvarez Benavides (New York University, United States)
• Breno Bringel (Rio de Janeiro State University, Brazil)
• Carlos Ruiz (University of Chile)
• Carolina Jiménez (National University of Colombia)
• Elvira Cuadra (Center for Communication Research, Nicaragua)
• Gina Vargas (Pontifical Catholic University, Peru)
• Julián Rebón (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina)
• Massimo Modonesi (National Autonomous University of Mexico)
• Marisa von Bülow (University of Brasilia, Brazil)
• Maristella Svampa (CONICET, Argentina)
• Sofia Donoso (University of Chile)
• Maria I. Fernández Álvarez (CONICET, Argentina)

The program consists of 5 modules of 4 weekly classes each, taught consecutively and linked together.

Total workload of 128 hours.

The modules that comprise the advanced diploma are:

• 1 Module: Introduction to the history and theories of social conflict and social movements
• 2 Module: Contemporary theories and debates on protests and social movements
• 3 Module: Methodologies and approaches
• 4 Module: Perspectives and movements from Our America
• 5 Module: The new battle of meanings: Outbreaks, pandemic and recent experiences