From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement

About this course: The Modern Civil Rights Movement is a significant landmark in United States history. This movement was a struggle for human rights directly challenging the nation to extend its democratic principles to African Americans and all peoples. This course sheds light on the often overlooked strategic planning that supported the direction of the events and is told by a voice intimately involved in the organization of movement—Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. Topics include the history of the campaigns, the different coalitions and groups, philosophy and methods of nonviolent direct action, and the contemporary application of nonviolent conflict transformation. The course hosts several guest speakers, including Andrew Young, Reverend C.T. Vivian, Henry "Hank" Thomas, and Constance Curry. Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to: ● Discuss the contributions and involvement of civil rights activists and leaders in the Civil Rights Movement (CRM) campaigns in the United States. ● Examine the chronology and phases of the Movement and CRM campaigns. ● Recognize and characterize the diverse activist groups involved in the CRM. ● Discuss Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence from a historical perspective. ● List and define the principles and strategies of nonviolence. ● Examine organizational and social change applications related to nonviolence. ● Identify the role of nonviolence in modern activism along with additional resources to broaden knowledge of principles of nonviolence. ● Recognize the application of nonviolence theories to activism, current issues, and everyday life.

Created by:  Emory University

• Taught by:  Bernard LaFayette, Jr. , Civil Rights Leader

Commitment 5 weeks of study, 1-3 hours/week Language English, Subtitles: Spanish How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.8 stars Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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Emory University Emory University, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the world's leading research universities. Its mission is to create, preserve, teach and apply knowledge in the service of humanity.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Movements & Campaigns



Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) discuss the contributions and involvement of civil rights activists and leaders in the Civil Rights Movement (CRM) campaigns in the United States, and 2) examine the chronology and phases of the Movement and CRM campaigns.


14 videos, 5 readings expand

1. Reading: Getting Started
2. Video: Welcome to the Course
3. Video: Bernard LaFayette, Jr.: Introduction & Bio
4. Reading: Special Thanks
5. Video: Phases of the Civil Rights Movement
6. Video: Nashville Campaign
7. Video: Selma to Montgomery March (1965)
8. Video: Freedom Rides
9. Video: Recruiting for the Freedom Rides
10. Video: Freedom Ride Strategy
11. Video: Leadership in the Civil Rights Movement
12. Video: Interview with Andrew Young, Part 1
13. Reading: Reading Activities & Resources
14. Reading: Additional Readings & Resources
15. Reading: Discussion Questions
16. Video: Marching: Interview with Reginald Moore & Sam Walker
17. Video: Interview with Andrew Young, Part 2
18. Video: Interview with Andrew Young, Part 3
19. Video: Interview with Andrew Young, Part 4

Graded: Quiz 1

WEEK 2


Organizations of the Civil Rights Movement



Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) list the major groups of the American Civil Rights Movement, 2) discuss the impact of CRM groups, 3) discuss the importance of having multiple groups involved in the CRM, and 4) analyze the importance of strategy in organizing groups.


16 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: The Strategies of Nonviolence are Timeless and Universal
2. Video: Confronting Hate with Love
3. Video: Fearlessness as a Strategy of Resistance
4. Video: CORE: Congress of Racial Equality
5. Video: SNCC: Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
6. Video: SCLC: Southern Christian Leadership Conference
7. Video: The Highlander Folk School
8. Video: Organizing Efforts in Selma
9. Video: Organizing in the Slums of Chicago
10. Video: The Poor People's Campaign
11. Video: Everyone Can Participate in the Movement
12. Video: Remembering Viola Liuzzo
13. Reading: Reading Activities & Resources
14. Reading: Discussion Questions
15. Video: Training and Mobilization Efforts of the Highlander Folk School
16. Video: Interview with Connie Curry, Part 1
17. Video: Interview with Connie Curry, Part 2
18. Video: Interview with Henry Thomas

Graded: Quiz 2

WEEK 3


Nonviolent Philosophies & Tactics
Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) list and define the six principles of nonviolence, 2) identify the six strategies of nonviolence, and 3) analyze the social dynamics of nonviolence.


11 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz expand

1. Video: Dr. King: The Civil Rights Movement & Early Influences
2. Video: Applying Nonviolent Philosophy to International Situations
3. Video: Social Dynamics of Nonviolence
4. Video: How Does Dr. King's Legacy of Nonviolence Resonate Today?
5. Video: The Symbol of the Confederate Flag: Moving Forward
6. Practice Quiz: Myths & Facts Exercise
7. Video: The Six Principles of Nonviolence, Part 1
8. Video: The Six Principles of Nonviolence, Part 2
9. Video: The Media's Role in the Civil Rights Movements of Yesterday and Today
10. Video: Nonviolent Strategies
11. Reading: Reading Activities & Resources
12. Reading: Discussion Questions
13. Video: Tri-State Conspiracy: Nonviolent Strategy in Action
14. Video: Brown Chapel, Selma, Alabama

Graded: Quiz 3

WEEK 4


Organizational & Social Change
Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) describe the various applications of nonviolence, 2) outline the academic foundations of nonviolence, and 3) define and discuss social action.


8 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: Nonviolence: Tactic or Theory?
2. Video: Dr. LaFayette: Why I Chose Nonviolence
3. Video: Preparation & Support
4. Video: Social Action in Practice: Lunch Counter Sit-Ins
5. Video: Academic Foundations of Nonviolence
6. Video: Nonviolence in the Workplace
7. Reading: Reading Activities & Resouces
8. Reading: Discussion Questions
9. Video: Ministry in the Movement: Interview with Reverend C.T. Vivian, Part 1
10. Video: Ministry in the Movement: Interview with Reverend C.T. Vivian, Part 2

Graded: Quiz 4

WEEK 5


Education for Change and the Future of Nonviolence Conflict Transformation



Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: 1) recognize current nonviolence initiatives involving Dr. LaFayette, 2) examine the work of Emory University's Center for Advancing Nonviolence (ECAN), 3) differentiate between the various modern applications of nonviolence, and 4) assess the future of nonviolence and education for change.


8 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: Dr. LaFayette: Current Nonviolent Initiatives
2. Video: ECAN: Emory Center for Advancing Nonviolence
3. Video: Internationalizing Nonviolence Training
4. Video: The Importance of Collaboration & Partnerships
5. Video: The Future of Nonviolence Conflict Transformation
6. Video: Interview with Carol Anderson, Part 1
7. Video: Interview with Carol Anderson, Part 2
8. Reading: Reading Activities & Resources
9. Reading: Discussion Questions
10. Video: Nonviolent Transformation in Nigeria