Course description
We are daily supporting a lot of news about globalization, most people not having the basic knowledge to have a critical distance to parse such information. It seems useful to propose to students some basic elements of political economy analysis to understand better these changes. Different dimensions of the process of globalization (economic globalization; globalization of finance, of science and technologies, or of higher education; social and environmental challenges, etc.) will be presented and discussed.
Globalization is not a linear and irreversible quiet path towards a peaceful integrated world. Contradictory trends, resistances and fights for powerful situations have to be considered to understand this process.
The course will give key elements to understand globalization discussing the contradictory factors of homogenization / differentiation in ways of life, consumption, organization of production, culture, ideas, etc., analysing the changing relationships of dominance and dependence between countries, firms and institutions; and considering this process using a multilevel scale, articulating local, national and regional governance.
Learning outcomes of the course
The course proposes a large overview of the different dimensions of the globalization process, giving to students a basic political economic culture of the current changes, their dynamic and their issues. It will give them key tools to have a more critical understanding of news and discourses on globalization.
Syllabus
Detailed organization of the course (may be subject to changes):
Part 1 – Historical approaches to globalization
Part 2 – Theoretical frameworks
Part 3 – Globalization as an economic process
Part 4 – Societal issues associated to globalization
To conclude
Teaching and evaluation methods
The course will be organised as following:
Evaluation of students will be based on their regular participation and involvement (30%), on group work (30%) and on an essay (short paper, video, slide show) to be prepared at home on a specific topic to be selected jointly with the student (40%).
Bibliography
Main references to be used:
Additional printed or electronic documents will be available on the VIU Moodle platform.