The Individual and Collective Action

obligatory courses

This lecture-based course explores a seeming contradiction: the social development of individualism concurrent with political mobilization for collective action.

This lecture-based course explores a seeming contradiction: the social development of individualism concurrent with political mobilization for collective action. Why do members of society set aside individual demands and coalesce around larger causes? How does individualism shape collective action? What social changes must we as researchers continue to explain and not simply document? And, ultimately, what is at stake if we do not come together?

To begin, our exploration will draw upon theoretical and empirical analyses from three distinct contexts: the United States, China and Ukraine to test the historical scope and basis for individualism’s rise. Next, we will focus on the implications of choice: whether we choose to enter, exit, or alter the society in which we exist. Finally, we will turn to three perspectives on how groups integrate themselves for wider collective action at the turn of the millennium.

Beyond readings, we will develop our own investigations. A combination of assignments will hone the skills of asking and listening for answers. Two interviews and one analytical paper will provide distinct expressions of conceptual progress as well as forms of assessment.

Readings & Discussions

Our readings (assigned the week before our actual discussion) prepare us to discuss and assess the focus of each lecture.

For our first book, Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny, we will take a Rashomon approach: cobbling together a sense of the book through every student’s individual contribution of two chapters. Come to class on Monday the 4th of March ready to share your part, or we cannot appreciate the book in its totality.

Writings

As with readings, our writing assignments appear on the calendar the week before a polished, organized and valiant effort is due. Writing assignments are due the Monday of class by the end of class. I will respond with comments by Wednesday the same week, so you can sharpen ideas and maintain momentum.

Interview an Activist, Interview a Civilian

Is there someone you know involved in collective action? Or do you recognize in someone you know the skills for involvement in wider political or social concerns? Sit down for an extended interview to appreciate two different people’s experiences: one whose work revolves around public concerns and an independent citizen. Record and transcribe the interviews to share with the class and employ.

Robert Bellah et alia, Habits of the Heart (U of California Press, 1985)

Susan Bibler-Coutin, The Culture of Protest (Westview, 1993)

Oleksandra Deineko, “Ukraine, War and Resistance,” Studia Socjologiczne (2023)

Tim Harper, Underground Asia (Harvard U Press, 2021)

Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, Multitude (Penguin, 2004)

Albert O. Hirschman, Exit, Voice & Loyalty (Harvard U Press, 1970)

Henry Jenkins, Mizuko Ito and danah boyd, Participatory Culture in a Networked Era (2016)

Rana Mitter, A Bitter Revolution (Oxford U Press, 2004)

Lida V. Nedilsky, “The Anticult Initiative and Hong Kong Christianity’s Turn from Religious Privilege,”

China Information (November 2008)

Lida V. Nedilsky, Converts to Civil Society (Baylor U Press, 2014)

Rosaria Puglisi, “A People’s Army: Civil Society as a Security Actor in Post-Maidan Ukraine,”

Revue d'études comparatives Est-Ouest (June 2018)

Adam B. Seligman, “Individualism as Principle,” Indiana Law Journal (Spring 1997)

Timothy Snyder, On Tyranny (Ten Speed Press, 2021)

Written or oral exam