Oxford March 2023 (1 of 2)- Civil Resistance, Nonviolent Activism & Human Rights

A Special Workshop to mark the 60th Anniversary Year of the March on Washington

March 19 – 25, 2023

Nonviolent civil resistance has played a significant role in the struggle for freedom and human rights around the world. It continues to do so in social movements working for democracy, peace, equal rights, gender equality, labor rights and climate justice. 

This workshop will explore the modern history and theory of non-violent activism from its roots in the anti-slavery movement, women’s suffrage, trade unionism, and non-violent movements to end colonialism, apartheid, communism, capitalism and dictatorship. Students will explore the political and activist theories of Henry Thoreau, Mahatma Gandhi, the Civil Rights movement, and contemporary theorists like Gene Sharp, Erica Chenoweth and Candice Delmas. 

The strategy, skills and tactics of non-violent activism will be studied in a series of case studies, including the March on Washington, and other civil resistance movements from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. Emphasis will be given to physical activism and new cyber activism. By the end of the course, students will have a strong grounding in the political theory and practical techniques of civil resistance movements and be better equipped to contribute to nonviolent activism for human rights.

The course will be taught by leading scholars from the University of Oxford and visiting activists.