50184 Globalisation: Division and Change
UTS: Communication: Social and Political ChangeCredit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks
Handbook description
This subject concentrates on the way in which the global south was created through the processes and consequences of globalisation. It analyses the development of some theories of globalisation and transnationality through political, economic, social and post-colonial approaches. It discusses case studies in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East to analyse transnational systems and the degree to which national polity, economy and society have become globalised. It examines some key issues relating to globalisation: global protest, environmental justice, international feminism, international institutions, post-colonial contestations and religious identities.
Subject objectives/outcomes
This subject:
- introduces students to the analysis of globalisation
- enables students to critique the concept of globalisation
- provides students with an understanding of the intellectual debates about the theories of globalisation
- enables students to analyse the relationships between the processes of globalisation and the creation of the global south
- develops students' written and oral communication.
Contribution to graduate profile
This subject focuses on international and regional themes. Globalisation: Division and Change gives students key tools of analysis and evaluation, enabling them to apply critical analytical perspectives to a rapidly changing world. Students gain a critical cross-disciplinary knowledge of social, political and cultural phenomena across time and space in local and global contexts. They are made aware of the multiple dimensions of social difference and inequality, especially in terms of race, ethnicity and gender.
This subject will:
- give students key tools of analysis and evaluation
- enable them to apply critical analytical perspectives to a rapidly changing world
- impart a critical cross-disciplinary knowledge of social, political and cultural phenomena across time and space in local and global contexts
- impart awareness of the multiple dimensions of social difference and inequality
- develop students' ability to relate cultural, social, political and historical concepts/theories/approaches to empirical research and practice, the analysis of public issues, and to daily and personal life.
Teaching and learning strategies
Lectures (one hour per week) Seminars (two hours per week)
Whereas lectures are more formal large-group learning situations in which key areas of the topic are covered, seminars involve active learning and teaching and offer opportunities for students to discuss, debate and clarify issues raised in the lectures and readings. Attendance at seminars is compulsory and students will be assessed on their participation in their group discussions. In addition, there is extensive use of UTSOnline.
Content
This subject concentrates on the way in which the global south was created through the processes and consequences of globalisation. It analyses the development of some theories of globalisation and transnationality through political, economic, social and post-colonial approaches. It discusses case studies in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East to analyse transnational systems and the degrees to which national polity, economy and society have become 'globalised'. It examines some key issues in globalisation: global protest, environmental justice, international feminism, international institutions, postcolonial contestations and religious identities.
This subject surveys various contesting perspectives on the recent global transformations which are mostly theorized under the title of "globalisation". It discusses the inadequacies of one-sided definitions and theorizations, and explores the complexities of global social changes and their impacts on different aspects of social life such as identity, culture, equality, security, welfare, democracy, health, environment, etc. The course takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining perspectives from sociology, political science and international relations, global studies and cultural studies. It pays particular attention to global dilemmas such as global inequality, global poverty, environmental degradations and growing networks of crime, corruption, violence and terrorism. Finally, by drawing upon critical interpretations of globalization and the situated viewpoints of oppression and resistance among marginalized people, the course will open up an alternative angle towards understanding current global social changes.
Globalisation may be associated with the with the idea that the world is being rapidly moulded into a shared social space by economic and technological forces and that developments in one region of the world can have profound consequences for individuals and communities in others. Globalisation is also associated with a sense that the sheer scale of contemporary social and economic change appears to outstrip the capacity of national governments or citizens to control, contest or resist that change.
Some of the questions we will discuss in this subject include whether globalisation is associated with the creation of unequal economies and poverty. Does globalisation impose new limits to politics? How does globalisation affect the environment, social movements and religious identities? There are many theories of globalisation and intense disagreement about whether the processes of globalisation are beneficial or not. This subject introduces students to these disagreements. It aims to question our assumptions and raise as many questions as it answers.
We assume in this subject that knowledge is contingent and is best accessed by debate and critical social inquiry. Knowledge is seen as a product of particular circumstances, or specific historical legacies. We need to evaluate all interpretations in terms of where and when they are produced. The subject, therefore, focuses on a variety of conflicting interpretations of the process of globalisation. These interpretations, whether celebratory or critical, gain broad acceptance as a result of the wider social and historical contexts in which they are embedded, as much as from any claim they might make to objectivity. Our task is to understand these contexts, and to shed light on the claims that are made.
Assessment
Assessment item 1: Group Debate
| Objective(s): | a, c, e |
| Weighting: | 25% |
| Task: | Each group will participate in an online discussion followed by an in class debate and the submission of a 1,000 word report by each student. |
| Assessment criteria: | Demonstrated ability to:
|
Assessment item 2: Literature review
| Objective(s): | b, c, |
| Weighting: | 25% |
| Length: | 1,000 words |
| Task: | Each student will select a reading, summarise the author's perspective, and use other perspectives from the Reader to critique and reflect on his/her approach. |
| Assessment criteria: | Demonstrated ability to:
|
Assessment item 3: Case Study Facilitation
| Objective(s): | c, d, e |
| Weighting: | 10% |
| Length: | 250 words |
| Task: | Each student will prepare and facilitate a 15 minute class discussion |
| Assessment criteria: |
|
Assessment item 4: Research Essay
| Objective(s): | b, c, d, e |
| Weighting: | 40% |
| Length: | 2,500 words |
| Task: | Select an essay from the list provided. |
| Assessment criteria: | Demonstrated ability to:
|
Minimum requirements
Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g. illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.
Indicative references
Search engines
Web of Science, Ingenta, ProQuest 5000 international, Sage Politics and International Relations, Current Content (OVID), Sociofile (Social Services Abstracts + Sociological Abstracts), JSTOR, Blackwell Synergy Online. For the meanings of Social Scientific Terms/Concepts/Jargons (you may face in your readings) always check: Oxford Reference Online Dictionaries (available on the UTS library databases).
Key journals
Alternatives, local, global; International Sociology; Review of International studies; International politics; International Organisation; International Affairs; Global Governance; Globalizations; Capital and Class; Monthly Review; Millennium; Mobilization; Socialist register; Development and Change; Third World Quarterly; New Left Review; World Politics; Global Networks; Review of international Political Economy; Political Geography; Public Culture; Society and Space; Foreign Affairs.
Key texts
Held, D., McGrew, A., Goldblatt, D. and Perraton, J. (eds) (1999) Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture, Polity, Cambridge
Held, D. and McGrew, A. (eds) (2004) The Global Transformations Reader, Polity, Cambridge.
Held, D. and McGrew, A. (eds) Governing globalization, Polity, Cambridge.
Ritzer, G. (2007) The Blackwell Companion to Globalization, Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub.
Della Giusta, M., U. S. Kambhampati and R. Wade (2006) Critical Perspectives on Globalization, Cheltenham, [England] ; Northampton, Mass.: Edward Elgar.
Misc sources
Cambridge Studies in International Relations; Southend Press; Pluto Press; Zed Books; Review of international Political Economy (RIPE) Book Series; Monthly Review Book Series.
2004 Interrogating Globalisation Reader
Many of the further readings listed below are contained in the 2004 Reader: this is lodged in the Special Reserve section in the UTS library.
