Global Resistance: Contesting Capital and Coloniality (L7090S)

30 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

This module will introduce you to important recent events in the resistance to efforts at creating a global order and place today's "global resistance" in a historical context.

You'll explore the main concepts and theories used to make sense of resistance by scholars, but also by those engaging in struggles themselves (including Marxist, post-structuralist, decolonial and feminist approaches). Wel'll also look at the different groups or individuals that have been seen as central to movements for freedom or revolution. (e.g. the "anti-globalisation movement", the "global working class" or the "multitude").

Instead of just assuming that resistance always leads to freedom, this course will look closely at the different forms of resistance, how struggles against the system can get caught up in power dynamics, and the different ways authorities try to suppress, control, or manage dissent.

The module will also consider these issues in relation to thematic debates cross-cutting various manifestations of "global resistance": the concept of solidarity and the racialised and gendered politics of resistance. These issues will be explored through discussion of specific instances of dissent to world ordering, including:

  • the global summmit protests of the early 21st century 
  • the emergence of the influential Zapatista movement in Mexico
  • international trade unionism
  • peasant and indigenous struggles over land
  • Occupy Wall Street
  • anti-austerity protests in Europe.

Teaching

100%: Seminar

Assessment

30%: Coursework (Portfolio)
70%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 267 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.