GEOG31090 Social Movements and NGOs: Theory and Practice to Change the World

Academic Year 2024/2025

*** Not available in the academic year indicated above ***

This module explores the role of NGOs and social movements in promoting social change in the world.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) emerged during colonial times in Europe with the purpose of mitigating colonial harms or preventing anti-colonial revolts. Because of such controversial roots, the role of NGOs was critically questioned over the second half of the 20th century. However, it is also true that NGOs have become essential actors in global development, promoting significant positive change in several areas. Expanding rapidly, both numerically and geographically, NGOs have played a wide range of roles: traditionally, they have been concerned with delivering relief or promoting social and economic development, but more recently, they have also assumed a larger presence in efforts to reform governance, foster democratisation and build peace.
The module introduces the study of the world of NGOs and their relationships with social movements, international organisations, and grassroots or community associations. We will critically assess their impacts on development interventions. As well as exploring diverse claims relating to local, national and international NGOs’ capacity to ‘make a difference’, the module engages with a critical literature that examines the broader social and political effects of NGOs and their work. The unit explores (a) the roots of NGOs and their rapid expansion since the 1980s and a range of accounts and conceptualisations of this rise in the NGO literature, (b) NGOs’ relationships with broader civil society, donors, social moments and state actors, (c) the operational mechanisms and challenges that affect NGO sustainability and impact (d) several current debates relating to NGOs’ development roles and broader political effects including the rise of ‘global civil society’ and global advocacy, NGOs’ actions on human rights, humanitarianism, and peacebuilding. Unlike NGOs, social movements tend to be grassroots and maintain a certain level of informality in their organisations. They struggle against actors, governments, and companies to pursue positive change.

The module will explore these debates by drawing on several local, national, and international case studies. At the end of the module, the student is expected to be able to critically analyse the role of NGOs and social movements and be prepared to work in the sector to make positive changes in the social world.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, you should have:
- A solid knowledge of contemporary debates on NGOs, civil society, and social movements
- Reflected on how different types of NGOs and social movements bring about a positive or negative change in the world
- Critically debated the diverse roles and effectiveness played by NGOs, civil society, and social movements
- A capacity to identify, understand and critique a range of theoretical approaches for understanding contemporary NGOs and social movements
- Been exposed to several geographically diverse case studies on a wide range of themes, such as humanitarian, colonialism, advocacy, grassroots movements, global politics, and international organisations
- Learned how the NGO sector operates, understanding its functions and operations in global and local politics
- Acquired critical and practical skills to work in the sector

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Project Supervision

1
Autonomous Student Learning

75
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; reflective learning; debates; case-based learning; practical learning from experts 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Group presentation on a case study of a social movement or positive change.
Groups of 4 or 5 students.		 Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

30

 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): 1500-word essay answering a question that the MC will provide in advance Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

70

 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Professor Alun Jones Lecturer / Co-Lecturer