PSI 2316 - Revoluntionary Movements

Credits: 4
This course is a collapsed version of the two semester course entitled Revolutions and Revolutionary Movements I and II which is a Political Inquiry course within the political science departmental major (meaning that it covers political philosophy, theory, and practice- “praxis”). We will explore the most interesting and emblematic case studies from each half of the course (e.g. the French Revolution as background for other revolutions, the Russian and Chinese Revolutions as models of communist revolutions and then a mix of the revolutions in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Arab Spring in North Africa and the Middle East). Students will be encouraged to examine any revolutionary movement for the final research project. By examining these revolutions, revolutionary movements, and theories of revolutions, students will be able to discern the uniqueness and similarities of each and they will be equipped with the analytical tools by which to evaluate other revolutions and revolutionary movements. The social science methodologies that contribute to an understanding of social phenomenon, such as revolutions and revolutionary movements will provide students with a set of analytical frameworks with which to understand the political world around them. Their critical thinking skills will be greatly enhanced not only by the manner in which the material is explained, but, also, by the nature of the topic itself. Hopefully this enhanced understanding will lead them to be agents of change in the world and contribute to their global citizenship in constructive and positive ways.
McDaniel Plan: International Nonwestern and Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding