COR 311 - Acting Against the State: Performance, Protest and Terror

What happens when an individual or group strongly disagrees with government policies? If political processes are not in place to address the desired change, or if those processes are perceived as inadequate, the dissenting individual or group might well resort to symbolic forms of protest. While such symbolic protests are frequently non-violent, certain actions do make use of violence. What our society labels as “terrorism” might be viewed through this lens. This class will examine social protest as a form of performance and public rhetoric. The approach will be distinctly interdisciplinary, relying on perspectives from the fields of communication theater studies, sociology and political science. We will not shy away from a controversial exploration of terrorist acts, including the events of 9/11
Prerequisites: 60 completed credits
Credits: 3
COR