"Actor-Publics and Social Movements" is a unique course, that was designed specially for the Global Nomad University English speaking public in Batumi.

The course was opened last Thursday by Lilly with a round(ish) table discussion on modern contentious politics and social movements—or might we call those that are happening today, protest publics. This change in language is what happens when classic theories of civil and social movement no longer have the explanatory power to describe recent street activities (which often arise without prior long-term organization).

In the room sat various active members of civil society. Local Georgian activists, expats, and relokants shared their hopes, and grievances, and experiences: from ecology conservation to election observation. Some shared what pushed them from being apolitical to politicized while others shared what it took for them to go from politicized to apolitical.

We addressed questions such as, “are movements inherently political?” Some argued that what is social is always political, while others noted that there is a difference between political versus being politicized. Students also asked how movements are impacted by big business and corporations—greenwashing, for example?

The goal of this course is to create a common social space—a forum of sorts—which allows the public to continue reflexive activities on their experiences The course will focus on non-violent, transformative movements and protest publics. In their final coursework, students will select one of the listed movements and delve into its emergence, mobilization, and (d)evolution in the globalized world.

Join the course every Thursday at 20:30 until May 8th!