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

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.

What's inside

Syllabus

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.

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Explores a landmark movement in United States history highly relevant to the study of the fight for human rights and the advancement of democracy

Taught by someone intimately involved in the organization of the movement, Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr

Features guest speakers including Andrew Young, Reverend C.T. Vivian, and others

Covers the history of the campaigns, different coalitions and groups, philosophy and methods of nonviolent direct action, and the contemporary application of nonviolent conflict transformation

Provides learners with knowledge and skills in discussing contributions and involvement of civil rights activists and leaders, examining the chronology and phases of the movement, recognizing and characterizing diverse activist groups involved, discussing Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence, listing and defining the principles and strategies of nonviolence, examining organizational and social change applications related to nonviolence, identifying the role of nonviolence in modern activism, and recognizing the application of nonviolence theories to activism, current issues, and everyday life

Reviews summary

Insights on nonviolent civil rights strategy

According to students, this course offers incredible insights into the American Civil Rights Movement, focusing on the philosophy and strategy of nonviolence. Learners highlight the unique value of hearing directly from Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr., a movement veteran, and praise the contributions of guest speakers like Andrew Young. The content is described as powerful, inspiring, and highly relevant to modern activism. While the course is largely well-structured and assignments are seen as thoughtful, a few learners suggested a desire for more academic depth in certain areas. Overall, reviews are overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the course's unique perspective and practical relevance.

Assignments were thoughtful and rewarding.

"Quizzes were fair."

"Assignments were thoughtful and helped solidify understanding."

"The assignments were challenging but rewarding."

Generally easy to follow.

"The structure was easy to follow, and the video quality was good."

"The pace is good, not too fast or slow."

Content is inspiring and applicable today.

"The lessons on nonviolent conflict transformation are so relevant today."

"This course is not just history; it's a guide to social change."

"The blend of history and practical application is well done."

"I recognize the application of nonviolence theories to current issues and everyday life."

Deep dive into principles and tactics.

"The focus on the philosophy and strategy of nonviolence is crucial and often overlooked."

"Provides a perspective on the Civil Rights Movement that goes beyond dates and names, focusing on the 'how' and 'why' of nonviolent action."

"Learned a lot about nonviolence as a strategic tool."

Interviews with veterans are highlights.

"The guest speakers, particularly Andrew Young, added incredible depth."

"The personal stories from movement veterans were deeply moving and educational."

"The guest lectures are likewise phenomenal."

"The guest interviews are gold."

Dr. LaFayette's accounts are invaluable.

"Dr. LaFayette's firsthand account brings the history to life in a way no textbook ever could."

"Learning about the strategic nonviolence principles directly from Dr. LaFayette is an unparalleled experience."

"Absolutely brilliant. Dr. LaFayette is a national treasure, and hearing his narrative is a privilege."

"Dr. LaFayette's participation elevates this course significantly."

Forum discussions were not active.

"I found the forum discussions less active than I hoped..."

Some external links were broken.

"My only minor critique is that some external links were broken."

Some seek more historical/academic detail.

"Good overview of nonviolence, but I expected more academic rigor."

"While the personal stories are valuable, I felt the historical context could be deeper."

"Sometimes I felt it could go deeper into the complexities, but for an introduction, it's excellent."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement with these activities:

Read 'Eyes on the Prize' by Juan Williams

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Gain a deeper understanding of the key events and figures of the Civil Rights Movement

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Obtain a copy of the book
Read the book
Take notes

Engage in Group Discussions

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Enhance critical thinking, communication skills, and understanding of different perspectives

Browse courses on Group Discussions

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Identify discussion topics
Prepare talking points
Participate actively in discussions

Analyze Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigns

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Sharpen critical thinking skills and develop a deeper understanding of nonviolent strategies

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Identify different nonviolent direct action campaigns
Examine the strategies and tactics used
Analyze the effectiveness of these campaigns

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Explore Resources on Nonviolent Conflict Transformation

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Expand knowledge and skills in applying nonviolent principles to conflict resolution

Browse courses on Peacebuilding

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Identify reputable organizations
Access online resources
Participate in webinars or workshops

Write a Historical Essay

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Develop analytical writing skills and gain a comprehensive perspective on the Civil Rights Movement

Browse courses on Civil Rights Movement

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Select a specific topic
Conduct research
Organize and write the essay

Contribute to a Civil Rights Archive

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Contribute to the preservation and accessibility of historical documents and artifacts related to the Civil Rights Movement

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Identify a suitable archive
Offer personal artifacts or documents
Volunteer time

Career center

Learners who complete From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Activist

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' would be a great fit for those wanting to become an Activist. This course will give you a detailed look at the strategies and tactics that were used to successfully drive positive change in the Civil Rights Movement. As an Activist, it's important to know this information so that you can apply it to the work you do to drive positive change in the present day.

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Professor

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' would be a great foundation for those wishing to become a Professor as it provides a detailed look at the Civil Rights Movement and how it was successful. As a Professor, you will be tasked with teaching and researching your field to contribute to the body of knowledge. The strategies and tactics used by the Civil Rights Movement are still used by activists today so having a deep understanding of these methods would greatly help your career as a Professor.

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Nonprofit Manager

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' would be a great fit for those wanting to become a Nonprofit Manager. As a Nonprofit Manager, it's important to know the history of the Civil Rights Movement and strategies that were used to successfully drive positive change. This course would provide you with a great understanding of these strategies and tactics so that you can apply them to the work nonprofit you will manage.

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Clergy and Religious Workers

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' serves as a foundation for those wishing to enter the field of Clergy and Religious Workers as it provides a comprehensive overview of the strategies and tactics that were used to successfully drive positive change in the Civil Rights Movement. This move for human rights was very successful in extending democratic principles to African Americans and all peoples. Topics include the history of the campaigns, the different coalitions and groups, how nonviolent direct action works, and the contemporary application of nonviolent conflict transformation. This would be great for Clergy and Religious Workers as they are often tasked with driving positive cultural change.

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Historian

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' would serve as a great foundation for those wanting to enter the field of Historian. A Historian is responsible for researching, analyzing, and interpreting historical events. The Civil Rights Movement is one of the most well known and successful human rights movements in US history and understanding this movement is important for anyone wanting to become a Historian.

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Sociologist

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' would be a great fit for those wanting to become a Sociologist. As a Sociologist, you study society, culture, and human behavior. The Civil Rights Movement is one of the most important social movements in US history and studying how it was successful will greatly benefit those who want to become Sociologists.

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Journalist

As a Journalist, a deep understanding of the world's most successful human rights movements is very useful and the course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' would be a great place to build your foundation. A Journalist's role is to investigate, analyze, and report on news stories. The strategies and tactics that were used by the Civil Rights Movement are still used by activists today and this course would provide you with a great understanding of how they can be applied to present day issues.

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Political Scientist

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' offers a good foundation for a Political Scientist as the course looks at the strategies and tactics that were used to successfully drive positive change in the Civil Rights Movement. As a Political Scientist, you will study politics, government, and public policy. The Civil Rights Movement is one of the most important social movements in US history and understanding this movement is important for Political Scientists.

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Community Organizer

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' would be a great fit for those wanting to be Community Organizers. This course teaches the strategies and tactics that were used to successfully drive positive change in the Civil Rights Movement. In your role as a Community Organizer, you will be tasked with organizing communities to address social issues and drive positive change.

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Social Worker

Those who want to become a Social Worker will find a strong foundation in the course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' as it offers a deep look at the strategies and tactics that were used to successfully drive positive change in the Civil Rights Movement. As a Social Worker, you are tasked with helping people overcome social problems and achieve their goals and understanding the strategies of one of the most successful social movements in US history would greatly help this goal.

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Civil Rights Lawyer

In the course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement', you will learn about the strategies and tactics that were used to successfully drive positive change in the Civil Rights Movement. This move for human rights was very successful in extending democratic principles to African Americans and all peoples. As a Civil Rights Lawyer, you will be tasked with advocating for the rights of marginalized communities and promoting social justice. Thus, the information provided in this course may be very helpful for your career.

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Teacher

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' would be a great fit for those wanting to become a Teacher. As a Teacher, it's important to be able to effectively communicate information to diverse student audiences. The strategies and tactics that were used by the Civil Rights Movement are still used by activists today and this course will teach you how they can be applied to present day issues, which would be very helpful in your career as a Teacher.

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Writer

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' would be a great fit for those wanting to become a Writer. As a Writer, it's important to have a firm grasp of US history as a whole and a deep understanding of its most significant social movements is essential for anyone wanting to become a Writer.

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Archivist

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' may be useful in preparing for a career as an Archivist as it will give you a detailed look at one of the most successful human rights movements in US history. An Archivist is responsible for the preservation and organization of historical documents. In this role, you may be working with leaders in the Civil Rights Movement and will need to understand the strategies and tactics that they used.

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Museum curator

The course 'From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement' can be useful for one wishing to become a Museum Curator as this course will teach you about the Civil Rights Movement and strategies used to positively change the world. As a Museum Curator, you are in charge of managing the acquisition, preservation, and display of museum collections so understanding the history of the Civil Rights Movement would be very helpful for your career.

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