During the course, students will be introduced to a wide range of significant historical protest events, important individual activists and globally significant activist movements, whose creative protest methods have had a lasting impact on society in contemporary Europe. In tandem with the historical perspective, students will explore, in theoretical and practical ways, different forms of creative protest including, for example: parades and blockades, occupation and absence, noise and silence, dressing up and dressing down. The examples to be studied are drawn from both historical and contemporary issues and include, but are limited to: climate action, animal rights, gender equality, and fair and safe employment.

In order to reflect the rich complexity of civic activism and its relationship with mainstream society, the course will also draw on examples of examples of protest that have become commodified, such as Pride, and examples of clash within protests (Pride Washington and Queer Police in the wake of BLM). To further enrich the creative cultures in which action takes place, the course will cover instances where creative non-violent protest has been illuminated in fiction, both in literature and film including work for young people (Harry Potter et al). The intention is to make the material feel relevant and engaging for a range of students and will include some of the most creative examples of people in action. In addition to the final assignment, a protest event designed and staged by students, assessment will be made on the historical material covered, group work, and on the theory and practice of safe, inclusive, event management.

The Hague University of Applied Sciences wants to prepare its students to become world citizens ready to make a change for the better.

To that end, this highly practical course works within a historical and contemporary context to examine the (creative) practice of non-violent civic protest in Europe from the 19th century to the present day. During the course, students will design a multi-media, multi-discipline event that draws on the elements of history and creative practice introduced during the lectures, seminars, and creative workshops. In the final week of the course, students will stage a short, choreographed event that displays their learning in the form of a professional product – an event and the associated plans and permissions and log book elements. The event, to be held on the main campus/sports campus and utilising the multi-level space of the atrium and/or open space, will include a range of protest forms, delivered in accordance with safe, inclusive and accessible, best-practice event management.

None

A reading and film list includes, for example:

Books, e.g.: Arendt, H. (1972) Crisis of the republic; San Diego/New York/London: Harcourt & Brace Graeber, D. (2009) Direct Action: An Ethnography. Edinburgh; Oakland: AK Press Graeber, D. (2013) The democracy Project: A History, a crisis, a movement; New York: Spiegel & Grau Hsiao, A. & Lim, A. (eds) 2016) The Verso Book of Dissent. Revolutionary Words from Three Millennia of Rebellion and Resistance; London: Verso Books Demson, M & McClinton, S.. (2013) Masks of Anarchy. A History of a RADICAL POEM from Percy Shelley to the Triangle Factory; London: Verso Books Jahanbegloo, R. (2014) Introduction to Nonviolence; New York & London: Palgrave Macmillan Scott, J.C. (1990) Domination and the Art of Resistance. Hidden Transcripts; New Haven & London: Yale University Press

The Activist Handbook: https://activisthandbook.org/organising/protest Albert Einstein Institution: https://www.aeinstein.org/ International Center for Nonviolent Conflict: https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/ten-key-resources-activists-organizers/ The Commons – Social Change Library: https://commonslibrary.org/the-arts-of-non-violent-activism/ United States Institute for Peace https://www.usip.org/issue-areas/nonviolent-action

Films, e.g.: A Force More Powerful (1999) EVERYDAY REBELLION (2013) Around the World in 50 Concerts (2014) PRIDE (2014) BPM (BEATS PER MINUTE) (2017) All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (2022) Activities/Visits, e.g.: Pride, Humanity in Action Nederland,

Semester 1.

Contact moments take place both during the day and in the evening.

Testing: indicate: -The minor will be tested in a three-part “log book” portfolio with integrated, small group and individual components. All elements must be met at a minimum pass grade.

Part 1 is an individual section containing students analysis of the examples that are introduced in lectures on the historical and political context of civic action, based on citizenship, civil disobedience and its role in democracy as well as the concept of non-violent protest.

Part 2 is a group section that contains the professional documentation necessary for managing the final event. This includes: risk assessment, permissions, budget timeline, health and safety provision and a comms plan.

Part 3 is a group multi-media recording of the final event including a personal and peer evaluation of the event