Ever since the 2016 elections in the United States, “Resistance” (or #Resistance) has emerged as a trendy term within the American political landscape. But what does it mean to resist existing structures of oppression? What are possible strategies and tactics? What types of solidarity are created through moments of resistance? This course seeks to understand resistance through global history and law, with a broad range in both chronology and geography. It defines resistance in the broadest sense of the term, examining activists, artists, lawyers, and protesters who have employed cultural, political, social, and economic strategies to challenge existing legal structures.


This course aims to nurture a sense of community and egalitarian spirit. To that end, many of the class activities as well as the final project are collaborative. For the final project students will choose their own topics on social movements of their choice, either historical or contemporary. Some themes you can choose from:

• Carceral (Anti-prison) Resistance
• Civil Rights Movement
• Anticolonial Movements
• Environment
• Feminism
• Culture and Aesthetics
• Labor Organizing
• Migration
• Gender, Sexuality

Teacher’s note about English: I hope that students who feel shy about their English will consider joining our course. No grade will suffer due to the level of English. This is an ideal opportunity to practice English in an encouraging space.