Overview
Recent years have seen a revival of activism on the part of students.
Far from being apathetic or apolitical, students seem to have re-engaged
with political and social issues around the world. Whether it is
leading anti-government protests in Indonesia, striking for better wages
at Yale, or protesting at global economic summits, students and youth
seem to play a very visible role in mobilizing around issues that are
on the fore-front of global agendas. One of the most powerful tools
in this new mobilization is the Internet. The Internet helps
student activists spread information about emerging issues, coordinate
political action, and build a network of activists in many places.
There is, however, probably more hyperbole about student activism and
the Internet than there is sustained, systematic, empirical analysis of
it. Think about your own experiences. Are you very involved in
activism? Are your friends? How do you use the Internet?
Is it for activism? This class provides an opportunity to assess the
extent to which students are engaged in political activism and the role of
the Internet in that activism. You will have a chance to evaluate whether
your experiences are typical or rather unusual. 
In order to provide that assessment, we will conduct a study of student
activism and the Internet. The goal of this study is not to determine
whether activism is “good” or “bad” or “effective” or “ineffective.”
The study is also not intended to build a guide to activism or to mobilize
students or others. Rather, the study will evaluate the ways in
which students and student organizations engage in political activism
and role that the Internet plays in the activism. Along the way,
you should expect to gain some substantive knowledge about activism.
Perhaps more important, however, you will gain experience in conducting
survey-based research as part of an on-going research project. If
all goes well (and we hope it does), you will be part of building a data
set that you can use in future classes and a senior thesis. And
you should gain valuable experience that you may be able to take to future
jobs or study.
The class is offered in conjunction with a project sponsored by the
National Science Foundation that is intended to try to understand the role
of the Internet in various aspects of collegiate education. This part
of the project looks at the role of new communications and information technologies
in changing the ways that students learn about the world and attempt to
change it.