This session will introduce you to the module organization, structure and assignments. You will understand the time commitments you will need to make and the skills you will develop through the duration of the module. Moreover, this week we will start defining the relevant concepts that will be discussed throughout the module in different case studies, notably the concepts of liberation and resistance and their analytical importance. Key concepts/issues: module organisation, structure and assignments; rebellions; liberation; politics of resistance Literature for this session: Module Study Guide Maiguashca, B. (2003) “Governance and Resistance in World Politics.” Review of International Studies, 29(S1), 3–28.

During this week, we will deal with theories of rebellion. What causes rebellion and political resistance? The reading for this week is the introduction of Ted Robert Curr’s classic study Why Men Rebel? We will discuss how relevant are today his arguments and hypotheses, put forth more than 40 years ago? Do rebellions and resistance still follow the same logic as in the post-World War II world? In addition, we will discuss other approaches to revolution, including the Situationist movement which has served as a major inspiration for many Western resistance movements. Key concepts/issues: rebellion; resistance; subversives Literature for this session: Gurr, T. (2011) “Introduction to 40th Anniversary Paperback Edition” and “Introduction.” In: Why Men Rebel: 40th Anniversary Ed. Boulder: Paradigm Pub. pp. ii–2. Ferro, M. (2010) "Revolutions: The Role of Resentment." In: Resentment in History. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 21–72.

During this and next week, we will explore the classical theories about imperialism and colonialism, as well as the resistance against them. We will read and discuss excerpts of theoretical writings by Vladimir Lenin and Franz Fanon, both analysing them as historical documents and assessing their analytical value in the contemporary world. Key concepts/issues: colonialism; anti-colonialism; post-colonialism Literature for this session: Lenin, V. (2010) Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism. London: Penguin Classics. Originally published in 1917. (excerpts) Fanon, F. (1963) “On National Culture.” In: The Wretched of the Earth, pp.206–308. New York: Grove Weidenfeld.

During this week, we will discuss one of the central issues of theories of resistance and rebellion: violence. We will juxtapose various positions on revolutionary violence, ranging from the claim of necessity of “justified” violence to the Gandhian idea of “non-violence.” In addition, we will discuss the idea of “civil disobedience” and its potential as a form of resistance. Key concepts/issues: violence; non-violence; civil disobedience Literature for this session: Fanon, F (2006) “Concerning Violence.” In Aisha Karim, Bruce B. Lawrence (eds.), On Violence : A Reader, Duke University Press, 2007. Trivedi, Harish. (2011) “Revolutionary Non-Violence: Gandhi in Postcolonial and Subaltern Discourse.” Interventions: International Journal of Postcolonial Studies, 13(4), pp.521–549. Thoreau, H. D. (1993) “Civil Disobedience.” In Civil Disobedience and Other Essays. pp. 1–18. New York: Dover Publications. (Originally published in 1849.)

During this week, we will discuss and analyze the concepts of ideology, hegemony and power, which are central concepts for studying resistance. All forms of resistance are resisting against some form of power or prevailing hegemony, and in order to understand the logic of resistance and rebellion, it is also necessary to analyze their objects as well as the circumstances under which they take place. The main topics for this weeks are Louis Althusser’s influential theories of ideology and Michel Foucault’s approach to the analysis of power. Key concepts/issues: ideology; hegemony; power; ideological state apparatuses Literature for this session: Althusser, Louis (2006) “Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses (Notes Towards an Investigation).” In Durham, M. and Kellner, D. Media and Cultural Studies: KeyWorks. Malden, MA: Blackwell, pp. 79–87. Pickett, B. (1996) “Foucault and the Politics of Resistance.” Polity, 28(4), pp.445–466.

This week’s subject is the idea of the “subaltern experience” and history as an inspiration for resistance. Most forms of subaltern identity politics and resistance movements appeal to the immediate everyday experience of the group they represent. Also, much of the scholarly work in so-called “subaltern studies”—histories from below, women’s studies, oral histories—builds upon the lived experience of the groups they study. However, in political philosophy and social sciences, the concept of “experience” is very ambiguous, debated and deeply intertwined with the modern concept of self-identity. The key question is: is an authentic, immediate counterhegemonic experience possible or is it always already defined by social structures and the prevailing ideology? Venue: MIUC Key concepts/issues: revolutionary history; historical experience; subaltern experience Literature for this session: Benjamin, W. (2005) “On the Concept of History.” In: Selected Writings Volume 4: 1938–40. Harvard: Harvard University Press. pp. 389–411. Lash, S. (2006). “Experience.” Theory, Culture & Society, 23(2-3), pp.335–341.

During this and next week, we move to the 21st century and focus on one of the most crucial economic and ideological forces of our era: neoliberalism. The reading for this week will be a chapter by the leading political geographer David Harvey, from his book A Brief History of Neoliberalism. Although we will discuss the economic basis of neoliberalism, our emphasis will be on its ideological foundations and political impact. Key concepts/issues: neoliberalism; economic liberalism; market economy; austerity; resistance Literature for this session: Harvey, D. (2005). “Chapter 1: Freedom’s Just Another Word…” In: A Brief History of Neoliberalism. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp.5–38. Hall, S. (2011) “The Neo-Liberal Revolution.” Cultural Studies, 25:6, 705–728.

During this week, our topic is resistance against slavery from a historical perspective. We will explore the slave rebellion led by Spartacus in the Roman Empire and the abolitionist movement against slavery in the Southern states in the USA. Furthermore, we will discuss the cultural legacy of both slavery and anti-slavery campaigns, and their meaning in the contemporary world. Key concepts/issues: slavery; abolitionism Literature for this session: Robinson, C.A. (2006) "Spartacus, Rebel Against Rome." In: Martin M. Winkler (ed.) Spartacus: Film and History. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. pp.112–126.

This week, we will focus on the great revolutions of modern history and the resistance movements that have truly changed the world. Our focus will be on the three big revolutions of modern history: the American, French and Russian revolutions. Literature for this session: Tuckness, A.S. (2003) “Discourses of Resistance in the American Revolution.” Journal of the History of Ideas, 64(4). pp. 547–563. Campbell, P. (2013) “Rethinking the Origins of the French Revolution.” In A Companion to the French Revolution. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 3–23. Ferguson, K.E. (2017) “The Russian Revolution and Anarchist Imaginaries.” South Atlantic Quarterly (2017) 116 (4): 745–761.

During this week we will talk about resistance against the colonial rule and decolonisation. We will explore the rhetoric and discourses of decolonisation as well as case studies of anti-colonial rebellions and wars of national liberation. In addition, we will watch clips from Gillo Pontecorvo’s The Battle of Algiers, the most famous film about the Algerian independence movement. Key concepts/issues: decolonization; non-aligned movement; Cold War; Third World Literature for this session: Lüthi, L. (2016). “The Non-Aligned Movement and the Cold War, 1961–1973.” Journal of Cold War Studies, 18(4), pp. 98–147. Sharma, N., & Wright, C. (2008) “Decolonizing Resistance, Challenging Colonial States.” Social Justice, 35(3 (113)), 120–138.

During this week, we will explore various examples of resistance against neoliberalism and privatisation, especially in the developing world. In addition, we will have a screening of the film Even the Rain, which is about the Cochabamba Water War in Bolivia in 1999 and 2000. Key concepts/issues: anti-austerity; anti-privatisation; anti-globalization; developing world Literature for this session: Assies, W., 2003. “David versus Goliath in Cochabamba: Water Rights, Neoliberalism, and the Revival of Social Protest in Bolivia.” Latin American Perspectives, 30(3), pp.14–36. Kingstone, P., Young, J.K. & Aubrey, R., 2013. “Resistance to Privatization: Why Protest Movements Succeed and Fail in Latin America.” Latin American Politics and Society, 55(3), pp.93–116. Seppälä, T. (2016). "Feminizing Resistance, Decolonizing Solidarity: Contesting Neoliberal Development in the Global South.” Journal of Resistance Studies, 2(1): 12-47. Feng, C. (2006). “Privatization and Its Discontents in Chinese Factories.” China Quarterly, (185), pp.42–60. Jung, C. (2003) ‘The Politics of Indigenous Identity: Neoliberalism, Cultural Rights, and the Mexican Zapatistas’, Social Research, vol. 70, no. 2 pp. 433-462

This week focuses on post-Cold War and post-colonial conflicts and resistance movements. We will look into a variety of conflicts, most of them in the developing world, that have taken place or continued after the end of the Cold War. The case studies that we will explore include resistance movements and conflicts from Papua/Irian Jaya, Palestine, Colombia and Mexico. Key concepts/issues: postcolonialism; anticolonialism; Third World Literature for this session: Henderson, E., & Singer, J. (2000) “Civil War in the Post-Colonial World, 1946-92.” Journal of Peace Research, 37(3), 275-299. Van Den Broek, T. and Szalay, A. (2001) “Raising the Morning Star: Six Months in the Developing Independence Movement in West Papua.” The Journal of Pacific History 36:3 pp. 77–94. Stephen, L. (1995). “The Zapatista Army of National Liberation and the National Democratic Convention.” Latin American Perspectives. Fall 22 (4): 88–99. Hough, P. A. (2011) “Guerrilla Insurgency as Organized Crime: Explaining the So-Called “Political Involution” of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.” Politics & Society, pp. 379-414. Kivimäki, T. and Thorning, R. (2002) ‘Democratization and Regional Power Sharing in Papua/Irian Jaya: Increased Opportunities and Decreased Motivations for Violence’, pp. 651-672.

During this week, we will discuss and analyse the latest developments in political resistance. The topics include social media, protest hip-hop, demilitarisation of conflicts and terrorism. Key concepts/issues: cultural protest; social media; online activism; non-violence; conflict resolution Delivery method: lecture, seminar Literature for this session: Dufour, P., Nez, H., & Ancelovici, M. (2016) “Introduction: From the Indignados to Occupy: Prospects for Comparison.” In: Dufour P., Nez H., & Ancelovici M. (Eds.), Street Politics in the Age of Austerity: From the Indignados to Occupy. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. pp. 11-40. Martinez-Torres, M.E. (2001) “Civil Society, the Internet, and the Zapatistas.” Peace Review, 13:3, 347-355. Richter-Devroe, Sophie & Salih, Ruba (dir.), Dossier "Cultures of Resistance in Palestine and Beyond: The Politics of Art, Aesthetics, and Affect," Arab Studies Journal, vol. 22, n°1, printemps 2014. Darts, D. (2004) ‘Visual Culture Jam: Art, Pedagogy, and Creative Resistance’, pp. 313-327. Vanden, H. (2007) "Social Movements, Hegemony, and New Forms of Resistance." Latin American Perspectives, vol. 34, Issue 2, pp. 17-30. Merari, A. (1993) “Terrorism as a Strategy of Insurgency.” Terrorism and Political Violence, vol. 5 Issue 4.

This final week we will engage collectively in the discussion around the various approaches toward the politics of resistance as well as the place of the topic within the study of International Relations. This session will be useful as a recap of the content covered throughout the module, as well as to help students remember the importance of understanding the nature of collective action and social movements in terms of framing, mobilising structures, strategy and trends of radicalisation and de-radicalisation, in order to better implement mechanisms of conflict resolution in international politics.

Assessment 1: Critical Response Essay Weighting: 40% Date and method of submission: week 8 via NEOlms. Word count or equivalent: 1800 words (+/-10%) Formative Assessment 1: Critical Response Essay Outline (week 3) Assessment 1: Critical Response Essay (40% of final mark) The purpose of this assessment is to help the student get familiar with some of the key theories of Politics of Resistance. Throughout the first half of the module, you will be required to write a 1800 word (+/-10%) Critical Response Essay piece where you will critically address and discuss the place and relevance of the study of Politics of Resistance within the field of International Relations and Governance. This Critical Response essay should (a) integrate the relevant academic literature and readings, (b) challenge the mainstream predominant view on the nature and scope of international relations as a discipline, and (c) examine the critical implications of including the study of Politics of Resistance within the broader study of International Relations. The Critical Response Essay should be structured in the following way: 1. Introduction The introduction to the Critical Response Essay should effectively introduce the topic that the student will address in the essay. Moreover, the literature review integrates the relevant academic literature and readings at the same time as it provides a comprehensive review of the relevant literature and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the theory and research in the field of Politics of Resistance covered throughout the module. 2. Body Paragraphs and Argumentation Throughout the development of the argument and the body paragraphs of the Critical Response Essay, the student demonstrates in-depth critical understanding of the topic being addressed and is able to challenge the mainstream predominant view on the nature and scope of international relations as a discipline. Moreover, body paragraphs demonstrate the ability to integrate and develop ideas based on extant literature. Furthermore, body paragraphs build on the overall argumentation of the work, demonstrating the ability to develop and present a sound logical argument. 3. Implications and Conclusion In the implications and conclusion of the Critical Response Essay, the student discusses the critical implications of including the study of Politics of Resistance within the broader study of International Relations. These implications can be related to theory and theory development, to future lines of research that might include advancing the empirical study of different forms of politics of resistance within the field of international relations, or the practical implications of incorporating this area of study as a key area in international relations for the political decision-making processes. These implications and conclusion should appropriately tie in the literature discussed and the argument/ideas discussed in the previous sections, thereby demonstrating to the reader why the ideas developed are important or the critique relevant. 4. Bibliography The Critical Response Essay should include a final bibliography in Harvard referencing style that includes all the sources used and cited throughout the essay using in-text citation. The Critical Response Essay should be submitted through the module’s online page. The deadline of submission of the Critical Response Essay is on Sunday, week 8. Your submission must include the cover page (on NEOlms). Formative Assessment 1: As part of the formative assessment for this module, students are required to submit a 2-page (600-800 words) Critical Response Essay outline on week 3. This Outline should include a comprehensive mapping of the literature and data collected for the analysis. This outline should be submitted online to the module leader by the end of the week This detailed outline should include the following: 1. The title of the Critical Response Essay – think of a title that captures the main idea in your argument and the selected discussion related to the Politics of Resistance that you are seeking to critically address in the essay. 2. A short introduction (1 or 2 paragraphs) in which you include: a) the definition, drawing from the literature, of the main relevant concepts; b) a rationale for the relevance of this discussion, or why you consider this discussion is relevant for the field of study; c) the question you are seeking to answer about the Politics of Resistance; and d) the argument you are going to make. 3. A short paragraph outlining how you are going to structure of the argumentation that you will present in your Critical Response Essay, this means, the sections into which you will divide the work and how each section will contribute to your main argument. 4. A short conclusion summarising your argument and its significance for the wider debate on the discussion around the Politics of Resistance in the field of International Relations. 5. Bibliography – identify the sources that you have examined thus far and on which you plan to build your argument.

You are required to submit a Case Study at the end of the module. The assignment must address one case study examined during the module’s sessions, or any other relevant case study chosen by you, and analyse it in light of the conceptual and theoretical content covered throughout the module. For more detailed instruction, please read the Assessment Guideline which is available online. Assessment criteria for Assessment 2 (LO1, LO2, LO3 and LO4 will be assessed) This assessment will be marked according to the following criteria: ◦ Knowledge and understanding (40%): The student has a comprehensive knowledge of the debates and different approaches to the role of Politics of Resistance within the disciplines of International Relations and Political Science. Moreover, the student demonstrates in depth and breadth of coverage of the case study, as well as awareness of the nature of the debate and discussion within International Relations and Political Science. ◦ Cognitive Skills (40%): The student is able to demonstrate knowledge through the use of examples, quotations and evidence. Moreover, the student is able to demonstrate knowledge in a coherent and appropriate structure and organization where the main points are developed logically and where the relevance of the ideas to the question is made clear. The body paragraphs provide a critical evaluation of the relevant concepts and avoid falling into mere description. Moreover, body paragraphs demonstrate the ability to integrate and develop ideas based on extant literature. Furthermore, body paragraphs build on the overall argumentation of the work, demonstrating the ability to develop and present a sound logical argument. ◦ Practical and professional skills (10%): The Case Study demonstrates competence in all the required scholarly-related skills, more specifically in the exploration and ideas included from a wide range of sources. ◦ Transferable and key skills (10%): The Case Study presents minimal grammatical errors and uses a good writing style. The work consistently and accurately uses Harvard referencing style, including in-text citations and reference list.