Democracy and Social Movements in East Asia

3–5 credits · Graduate

Social movements are an important part of both democratic and non-democratic societies. In this course we will assess the state of civil society in East Asia by surveying contemporary social movements in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. The course will begin with a discussion of the main concepts and analytic approaches in social movement studies. We will then apply these theoretical frameworks to specific mobilization efforts in East Asia, keeping in mind each country's unique historical context. With the theoretical and empirical tools gleaned from the seminar discussions and readings, students will pursue a case analysis of an East Asian social movement of their choosing.