Course objectives:
– To introduce main concepts and ideas in civil resistance
– To discuss a variety of case studies of nonviolent campaigns and movements throughout history (the past 120 years)
– To reflect on the effectiveness of civil resistance and its specific power dynamics which make a clean break from the traditional concept of monolithic, top-down power
– To understand how nonviolent conflict works and how movements have shaped history and continue to shape domestic politics and international relations today

Course outline:
Module 1. Introduction to the Course
Course Overview and Objectives • What Is Civil Resistance? • Basic Concepts in Power and Political Defiance • The Emergence and Evolution of Civil Resistance Studies

Module 2. Civil Resistance in International Relations: Case Studies
Struggles against Domination • Struggles against Corruption • Governments-in-Exile and Parallel Institution Building

Module 3. Power Dynamics and Regime Responses
Pro-Democracy Struggles • Loyalty and Military Defections • Repression and Backfire

Module 4. Human Rights, Peace and Democracy
International Human Rights • Peacebuilding • Mass Atrocities

Module 5. Conclusion
Transnational Issues • New Frontiers in Civil Resistance

Assessment:
100% controle continu: 45% group presentation, 45% reflections journal (continuous writing project throughout the course which students turn in on the last day of class, 10% participation