Implementing and Sustaining Social Movements

In large part, the impetus of a social movement is often a personal, emotional connection to a social issue. However, emotional connection alone is not enough to sustain the perseverance necessary to achieve social change. In this week’s Discussion, you analyze examples of social movements to identify common factors that can contribute to their success and sustainability.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Review the assigned reading from the Loeb (2010) course text.

Review three movements of social responsibility from the reading. Think about the common factors when social issues become a movement. Consider the sustainability of each movement you selected and what contributes to the sustainability.

Post by Day 4 a response of 2 to 3 paragraphs that includes brief description of the three movements you selected. Explain the common factors or conditions that contribute to the start of each movement. Select one movement and explain why it was successful in making a social change impact. Include contributing factors for the movement’s sustainability.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond by Day 7 to at least two of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:

Respectfully disagree with one or several of the factors that contribute to the start of a movement presented by your colleague by discussing and supporting a different perspective.

Expand on your colleague’s posting by offering a new perspective or insight on why movements are successful in making a social change impact.