Three times during this course you will prepare a written analysis of a social movement. For each paper, you are responsible for identifying the social movement that you will analyze. One way to identify current social movements is by finding media coverage of protest events, such as demonstrations, marches, or rallies. (Note: Remember that social movements must have temporal continuity, so a protest event that occurred once without future sustained action would not be considered a social movement.)
The goal of the analysis paper is for you to demonstrate your ability to apply course concepts. Your analysis paper should be at least 600-words long (approximately two double-spaced pages) with 12-point Calibri or Times New Roman font. Each paper is worth up to 40 points. Note: In this course, word/page requirements only include the text in the body of the paper. The word count does not include title or reference pages. Given what's asked of you in the instructions below, papers that demonstrate deep thought and analysis will likely be longer than the first two analysis papers.
INSTRUCTIONS
For this analysis paper, you will analyze the entirety of a social movement using concepts from the four broad topics we've explored in this course - emergence, framing and technology, recruitment and participation, and outcomes.
(1) Identify a social movement that you are interested in exploring deeply. It can be from any time period and any location. Be sure that it is clearly a social movement and not a single collective action event or a political event outside of the definition of a social movement. Also, select one with enough history and external interest (ex. news coverage) so that you can excel with this assignment. Note: It cannot be a movement that you have already analyzed in an Analysis Paper or Discussion.
(2) Find and analyze the following resources to develop your understanding of this social movement:
- A relevant social movement organization’s (SMO) webpage.
- At least two video and/or print news stories about specific protest events or the movement, broadly speaking.
(3) Write your analysis paper. For this paper, you are to apply a range of course concepts to the social movement of your choice. It should include the following sections. You are advised to include section headings to improve the organization and readability of your paper. Each heading should be a very short phrase related to the content of that section.
- In the first section, describe the social movement using concepts from Module 1.
- In the second section, describe the emergence of the movement AND the framing it employs/employed using concepts from Module 3.
- In the final section, describe the recruitment and participation of individuals into the movement AND the movement's outcomes using concepts presented in Module 4.
- You should also include introduction and conclusion statements or sections to frame the paper.
(4) Include a reference page as a separate, last page of your analysis paper. The reference page should include citations/hyperlinks to the resources identified in step 2 above and all other sources that may inform your paper.
(5) Submit your analysis paper to Canvas before 11:59pm on MONDAY, June 30.
Rubric
Social Movements Analysis Paper
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
|---|---|---|
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDescription of the social movement | 15 ptsExcellentDescription of the social movement clearly demonstrates deep understanding of and engagement with concepts presented in Module 1.13 ptsSatisfactoryDescription of the social movement demonstrates understanding of and engagement with concepts presented in Module 1. 11 ptsNeeds improvementDescription of the social movement is present but demonstrates a limited understanding of and engagement with concepts presented in Module 1.0 ptsDid not complete | 15 pts |
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeApplication of course concepts | 15 ptsExcellentIdentification and application of course concepts clearly demonstrates deep understanding. Meets expectations presented in the instructions.13 ptsSatisfactoryIdentification and application of course concepts demonstrates understanding. Meets expectations presented in the instructions. 11 ptsNeeds improvementIdentification and application of course concepts demonstrates limited understanding. May not meet the expectations presented in the instructions.0 ptsDid not complete | 15 pts |
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReference page | 4 ptsSatisfactoryReference page includes the social movement organization's webpage and at least two video and/or news stories about specific protest events or the movement, broadly speaking.2 ptsNeeds improvementReference page is present but does not includes the social movement organization's webpage and/or at least two video and/or news stories about specific protest events or the movement, broadly speaking. 0 ptsDid not completeEither did not complete the assignment or did not include a reference page. | 4 pts |
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper format | 3 ptsSatisfactoryPaper is at least 600-words long of content with 12-point Calibri or Times New Roman font.0 ptsDid not completeEither did not complete the assignment or did not meet the expectations for word count and font size/type. | 3 pts |
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting quality | 3 ptsSatisfactoryNo grammatical or spelling errors. Well organized, well written, easy to read and understand.2 ptsNeeds improvementContains some grammatical or spelling errors. Organization or writing could be improved. 1 ptsUnsatisfactoryContains so many mechanical errors that it is impossible, or close to impossible, for the reader to follow along.0 ptsDid not complete |