ICNC's free, moderated online course, "People Power: The Strategic Dynamics of Civil Resistance"

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Recruiting Organization: International Center on Nonviolent Conflict

Course Dates: March 28 through May 15, 2023 Deadline extension: Application due end of day, Sunday, March 19, 2023. Apply today.

For the 11th year, the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC) will host our annual free, moderated online course, People Power: The Strategic Dynamics of Civil Resistance.

In this course, over 50 highly motivated and collaborative participants from around the world will join with selected moderators to:

• Study scheduled modules of selected readings and videos from experts and practitioners discussing key aspects of nonviolent resistance campaigns and movements;
• Participate in moderated online discussion forums by sharing thoughts and ideas about course content that will help deepen individual learning;
• Share experiences and stories related to course themes to build a collaborative learning community with other learners.

Basic Details and Application Info

This 7-week online course provides an interactive, in-depth, and evidenced-based perspective on nonviolent civil resistance movements and campaigns. Here are the details:

Course Dates

The course will run from March 28 - May 15, 2023. Applications are due March 19 and participants will be notified of their application status by March 21.

Online Platform

The course will take place on ICNC’s online learning platform and begins with a live orientation webinar on Tuesday, March 28, that guides admitted participants through signing up, logging in, interacting in the online space, and getting the most out of their online learning. The live orientation will happen twice, at 10am and 2pm EDT (14:00 and 18:00 UTC) to allow for participants from around the world to fit the one-hour session into their schedules.

Time Zone Flexibility

Participation in the class is not restricted by time zone. Course content, forums, and posts are all accessible to participants at any time of day. Outside of the introductory webinar, people do not have to be online at the same time as others. You can log in to the course each day to read and watch material and participate in discussions as it best fits your own schedule.

Course Moderators

Moderators will include selected members from the ICNC staff and select alumni from previous iterations of the course.

Types of Activities

The course will involve an international learning community in a number of activities to be completed within specific timeframes, including readings, viewing videos, and active engagement with weekly discussion forums.

Course Goals

The goals of this course are:

• To introduce cutting edge thinking and research findings on various topics in civil resistance, as outlined in the course content below.
• To discuss case studies of nonviolent campaigns and movements.
• To reflect on the effectiveness of civil resistance and its power to overcome challenging conditions.
• To provide a platform for peer-to-peer learning and networking.
• To offer an interactive and structured learning environment for participants to become more informed observers of nonviolent conflicts and effective conveyors of civil resistance knowledge.

Course Schedule*

Module 1. Introduction to the Course

Welcome and Orientation Webinars • Participant Introductions • Present Knowledge Survey

Module 2. Foundations of Civil Resistance

What Is Civil Resistance? • The Effectiveness of Civil Resistance

Module 3. Cases of Civil Resistance Around the World

National Liberation Cases • Civil Safety/Autonomy Cases • Defense/Expansion of Rights Cases • Public Accountability Cases

Module 4. Strategy and Tactics of Civil Resistance

Analyzing Nashville Lunch Counter Campaign • The Role of Women in Civil Resistance • Strategy and Tactics • Conflict Analysis Tools • Cultural Resistance

Module 5. Repression, Backfire, and Defections

Repression and Backfire • Movement Strategies for Defections

Module 6. Violent Flanks, Agents Provocateurs, and Maintaining Nonviolent Discipline

Violent Flanks • An Inoculation Guide Against Agents Provocateurs • Maintaining Nonviolent Discipline

Module 7. New Frontiers in Civil Resistance Studies

Democratization and Civil Resistance • Civil Resistance Against Abusive Corporate Practices • Civil Resistance and Faith Communities • Civil Resistance and Peacebuilding, Conflict, and War

Module 8. Completing the Course

Course Evaluations • Learning Gains Survey

*Course schedule is subject to some minor modifications before the course launches.

Who Should Apply

We encourage any movement activists, organizers, scholars, educators, members of civil society, policy professionals, and journalists to apply to take this course--if you think the course will help you participate in, support, or analyze nonviolent peoples’ movements for human rights, political freedom, social justice, and environmental sustainability more effectively.

Every year, we have over 150 people apply for the course. On average, we only accept the top 50 participants. For this class, we are looking for participants from all over the world who:

• Have strong personal motivations to learn and apply their knowledge of what makes civil resistance struggles effective;
• Are willing to engage with other participants and share their knowledge and experience about nonviolent movements and campaigns in respectful and collaborative ways, even when they disagree;
• Are comfortable with writing, reading, and speaking in English; and
• Are committed to meeting the work expectations and the participant code of conduct as outlined below.

Stipend ProvidedFalse

Training ProvidedFalse

Housing AvailableFalse

Language/Cultral Support AvailableFalse

Wheelchair AccessibleFalse

Fee RequiredFalse

Fee Amount: None

This opportunity is recurringFalse