Instruction
To begin this assignment, you must identify a U.S. social movement organization (SMO) that
you find interesting. The SMO you select can be currently operative or an organization from
our country’s historic past. If you don’t already have a SMO in mind, I recommend three
approaches. First, you could begin by thinking about a social issue and/or movement that
interests you and then, through research, narrow your focus down to a specific SMO that is
representative of the movement. Second, you might begin by identifying a social movement
leader and then broaden your focus to the organization with which that person is most closely
affiliated. Third, browsing through either of our course textbooks or the news also will provide
you with numerous examples.
You will need
to reference a minimum of 6 sources (excluding your textbook) to ground your paper. Make
use of credible books, academic journals, periodicals, news sources, and documentaries.
Your research should allow you to address the following issues in your paper:
1. Name/Formation: What is the name of your SMO? When and where was it formed? By
who?
2. Exigence: Why was this SMO formed? What rhetorical exigencies gave rise to the SMO (i.e.,
what specific issues, concerns, problems, and/or events) triggered the creation of the SMO?
3. Ideology: What larger social movement is this SMO affiliated with? What ideology does the
SMO subscribe to? What socio-political-cultural changes does this SMO seek or wish to
prevent? Does this ideology suggest that the SMO is innovative, revivalistic, or resistanceoriented?
4. Leadership: Who are/were the founders/leader(s) of this SMO? Provide a brief biography
of the most important individual(s).
5. Key Events/Campaigns: Identify, describe and discuss 2 key events or campaigns that have
been lead/organized by and/or joined by this organization in its history. When and where
did these events or campaigns take place? What were the goals? Were these goals
accomplished? What key rhetorical messages were disseminated? Did the event/campaign
encounter any resistance?
The resulting paper should be 5-6 pages (double-spaced) in length (excluding reference pages).
It should include a formal introduction and conclusion. The body of your paper will contain
your discussion of the 5 items noted above.