Activist Media

Course Taught By: Runchao Liu

Course ID: MFJS 2270

Meeting Times: Spring 2025 Check Schedule

Course Description: Various media have played roles in the social and political movements of the past, with social media platforms accelerating the possibilities for intervening in social and political life. Activist media harnesses new communication technologies to resist the domination and limitations of mainstream corporate media, creating new media strategies and messages to promote social change. This class examines the spaces of activist media that have enabled citizens, protesters, journalists, PR professionals, tech developers and hacktivists to harness a diverse range of media tools and platforms for change. It also explores how these platforms have created new risks and challenges, especially for activists. Students will explore El Movimiento (the Chicano/a/e movement) as it has unfolded and contributed to the shaping of local and regional communities and policies. This course counts toward the Scientific Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement. 

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites. This course fulfills a common curriculum requirement in SI. Contact the instructor for more information.