Taught By:
Victoria Hui
Associate Professor
Political Science
University of Notre Dame
Read profile here.
Motivation to Teach Social Action:
I teach global struggles for freedom and democracy defenders in exile. I am also an activist.
Course Description:
How did freedom come about? What does freedom mean? How has it been fought for? How has it been defended against bullets and tanks? Why do activists risk everything – including one’s own life – to fight for an ideal while others take no action? What makes for activists and leaders? How do movement leaders mobilize popular support? What explains nonviolent and violent means of struggle? What explains success and failure? Why are activists seen as freedom fighters by supporters but terrorists by regime leaders? What do dictators do to repress the opposition? Why do some regime rulers make concessions while others ruthlessly repress challengers? This course explores these questions through the lives and minds of Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Hongkongers, Uyghurs, Ukrainians and Syrians.
