Sociology 4321: Sociology of Globalization
Fall 2003
Time/Place:
Web Page: http://www.soc.umn.edu/~schofer/2003soc4321/home4321.htm
Instructor: Evan Schofer
Email: schof007@tc.umn.edu
Phone: (612) 624-4075
Office: 1127 Social Sciences
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday
TA: Alyssa Goolsby
Email: goolsby@atlas.socsci.umn.edu
Office: 956 Social Sciences
Phone: (612) 624-3598
Office Hours: Wednesday
Introduction
Globalization refers to a variety of political, economic,
cultural, and social changes that are currently transforming our world.
Countries are increasingly interconnected by flows of information, trade,
money, immigrants, technology, and culture. Trans-national corporations and
political organizations (e.g., the UN) have grown in size and influence, as
have the organized social movements that lobby or oppose them. The goal of the
course is clarify what globalization is and how it is affecting societies
around the world. For instance, how does global trade affect jobs and the
economy? And, how do those effects differ depending upon whether you live in the
Required Text:
The Globalization Reader (2000), by Frank Lechner and John Boli. Blackwell Publishers. The reader is a collection of short papers (or excerpts) that address many aspects of globalization.
Required Online
Many required readings are available via the U of M library “e-reserve” system, which is highly efficient and much cheaper than printing up a course packet.
Access e-reserve readings via: http://reserve.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/eres/viewcourse.pl?fname=Soc4321_SCHOFER
Specific links are provided, below, for all other online readings.
Warning: We all know that computers can crash and networks can fail. Therefore, you must be responsible and plan ahead. DO NOT leave all reading for the night before the exam. Complete reading assignments ahead of time or print them out in advance. The excuse “my computer crashed” will not garner sympathy on the day of the midterm, given that you that you can access and print out the course readings at any time during the semester from computers all over campus.
Additional Readings/Handouts. I may assign additional readings – such as topical newspaper articles – by providing either a web link or a hard copy during class.
Assignments and
Evaluation
Mid-term Exams. There will be two mid-term exams, which will cover course material from lectures and readings. (30% of final grade each)
Paper. There will be one major paper assignment due near the end of the semester. Details will be provided when the paper is assigned – but you can expect it to be a substantial piece of work, on the order of 6-8 pages in length. (30% of final grade)
Short Assignments. Short in-class or homework assignments will be handed out every couple of weeks. They will involve tasks such as answering questions about the readings, commenting on current events using ideas from class, or discussing your personal opinions about globalization. (10% of final grade)
Final Grades. Your final grade will be computed based on the percentage weightings indicated. In the event of a borderline grade, I may use my discretion in adjusting grades based on course participation and effort. Incompletes will not be given, except in unusual circumstances.
Policies:
Late Papers. Papers received late will be marked down one partial grade (i.e., and A becomes an A-, C+ becomes a C) per day past the due date. Extensions may be granted for legitimate reasons if requested in advance.
Missed Exams. Missed exams cannot be re-taken, except in unusual circumstances (e.g., medical issues). In accordance with university policy, an exam make-up session is held by the Department of Sociology for those with legitimate excuses.
Cheating, Plagiarism, etc. Academic violations such as cheating and plagiarism will be dealt with very severely, based on the specifics of the case. The University has been cracking down on such acts by, among other things, using software to detect text plagiarized from the web. If requested, students in this course must provide computer copies of their papers for examination. Keep copies (and backups) of all course work.
University Policies
Students in this course must abide by all relevant university policies, ranging from issues of general behavior to academic issues such as plagiarism. It is your responsibility to be aware of university policies.
My Policies
Respect. All participants in this course (including
myself) should strive to treat others – and their ideas – with respect. The course material and class discussion will
cover sensitive topics ranging from poverty and welfare to racial and ethnic
identity, and disagreements may arise.
Try to be aware of and show respect for other people’s feelings on such
issues. Conversely, if you find yourself
offended by something, please try to raise the issue in a constructive manner –
either in class, afterward, or even anonymously – so the situation can be addressed. Often, such offenses are rooted in simple
misunderstandings, but sometimes they reflect more serious issues that can only
be resolved if things are brought to my attention.
Commitment to Learning. There is no point in taking a course if you are not committed to learning. That means doing the readings, showing up, concentrating, and participating in class discussion and group activities. I strive to make the class interesting, but make no mistake: this is not entertainment. We will struggle through ideas and readings that are difficult and may seem boring if you do not yet understand them. It is your responsibility to be committed.
Course Information
Announcements, course handouts, assignments, and other information will be posted to the course web page: http://www.soc.umn.edu/~schofer/2003soc4321/home4321.htm
The online syllabus also contains active links to online readings. Any changes in the syllabus or course requirements will be posted there. Check the web site periodically to keep fully informed.
Schedule & Reading Assignments
Week 1:
Background: States and Markets (Sept. 2, 4)
Get started on readings for next week. Remember – you should be familiar with readings by the Tuesday of each week, so you must start the week before!
Week 2:
Background: States and Markets
(Sept. 9, 11)
“Commanding Heights: The Battle Between Government and the Marketplace that is Remaking the Modern World.” Daniel Yergin and Joseph Stanislaw, The Globalization Reader #30 (10 pages).
“The Golden Straightjacket.” Thomas L. Friedman. Chapter 5 (p. 83-93) in The Lexus and the Olive Tree. Farrar, Straus, and Grioux (1999). Available at UMN library e-reserve. (11 pages).
“The World Unified.” E. J. Hobsbawm, The Globalization Reader #9 (5 pages).
Arguments for and against free markets and globalization:
“Why This Hatred of the Market?” Martin Wolf, The Globalization Reader #1 (2 pages).
“The Moral Case for Globalization” Peter Martin, The Globalization Reader #2 (2 pages).
“To Save Society.” Bernard Cassen, The Globalization Reader #3 (2 pages).
Week 3: The Global
Economy (Sept.
16, 18)
“Economic Globalization and Political Backlash.” Joseph M. Grieco and G. John Ikenberry. Chapter 7 in State Power and World Markets: The International Political Economy, W. W. Norton and Company (2003), pages 204-222 only (first half of chapter) Available at UMN library e-reserve. (19 pages).
“International Money, Capital Flows, and
Domestic Politics.” Herman M.
Schwartz. Chapter 9 (p. 197-218) in States
Versus Markets:
The Emergence of a Global Economy.
“Transnational Firms:
A War of All Against All.” Herman M. Schwartz. Chapter 10 (p. 219-237) in States Versus Markets: The Emergence
of a Global Economy.
Week 4: Economic
Globalization (Sept. 25, 27)
“Part IV: Economic Globalization: Introduction”, The Globalization Reader, pp. 145-147 (3 pages).
“Free Trade Agreements.” Robert K. Schaeffer. Chapter 9 (pages 217-250) in Understanding Globalization. Rowman and Littlefield, Inc. (2003). Available at UMN library e-reserve. (34 pages).
“Wasawan 2020.” William Greider, The Globalization Reader #21 (7 pages).
“Commodity Chains and Marketing Strategies: Nike and the Global Athletic Footwear Industry.” Miguel Korzeniewicz, The Globalization Reader #22 (12 pages).
“Does Globalization Lower Wages and Export Jobs?” Matthew J. Slaughter and Phillip Swagel, The Globalization Reader #25 (4 pages).
“Globaphobia: Confronting Fears about Open Trade.” Gary Burtless, Robert Z. Lawrence, Robert E. Litan, and Robert J. Shapiro. The Globalization Reader #26 (6 pages).
Week 5: Economic
Globalization: Consequences (Sept. 30, Oct. 2)
“The Joys of Global Investment.” Ted C. Fishman. The Globalization Reader #23 (5 pages).
“AI on Human Rights and Labor Rights.” Amnesty International. The Globalization Reader #27 (4 pages).
“Debt Crisis and Globalization.” Robert K. Schaeffer. Chapter 5 (pp. 95-118) in Understanding Globalization. Rowman and Littlefield, Inc. (2003). Available at UMN library e-reserve. (22 pages).
“Economic Globalization and Political Backlash.” Joseph M. Grieco and G. John Ikenberry. Chapter 7 in State Power and World Markets: The International Political Economy, W. W. Norton and Company (2003), pages 222-237 (second half of chapter). Available at UMN library e-reserve. (16 pages).
Week 6: Economic Globalization (Oct.
7, 9)
October 9:
First Midterm
No new readings. Review for Midterm... And then get an early start on readings for next week!
Week 7:
Globalization and Governance (Oct. 14, 16)
“Part V: Political Globalization I: The Demise of the Nation-State? Introduction.” The Globalization Reader, pages 195-8 (4 pages).
“Internationalization and Domestic Politics: An Introduction.” Helen V. Milner and Robert
O. Keohane.
Pages. 3-24 (Chapter 1) in Keohane, Robert O. and Helen V. Milner. Internationalization and
Domestic Politics.
“The End of the Nation State.” Kenichi Ohmae. The Globalization Reader #29 (5 pages).
“Has Globalization Gone Too Far?” Dani Rodrik. The Globalization Reader #31 (6 pages).
“Partisan Politics in the Global Economy.” Geoffrey Garrett. The Globalization Reader #32 (9 pages).
Week 8:
Globalization and Governance (Oct. 21, 23)
“Part VI: Political Globalization II: Reorganizing the World: Introduction.” The Globalization Reader, pages 243-5 (3 pages).
“World Culture in the World Polity: A Century of International Non-Governmental Organization.” John Boli and George Thomas. The Globalization Reader #37 (7 pages).
“The UN’s Role in International Society Since 1945.” Adam Roberts and Benedict Kingsbury. The Globalization Reader #38 (6 pages).
“Seven Common Misunderstandings about the WTO.” World Trade Organization. The Globalization Reader #33 (4 pages).
“The Emergence and Transformation of the International Women’s Movement.” Nitza Berkovitch. The Globalization Reader #35 (4 pages).
“
Week 9:
Sociological Theories of Globalization (Oct. 28, Oct 30)
“Part II: Explaining Globalization: Introduction.” The Globalization Reader, pages 49-51 (3 pages).
“The Rise and Future Demise of the World Capitalist System.” Immanuel Wallerstein. The Globalization Reader #10 (7 pages).
“Sociology of the Global System.” Leslie Sklair. The Globalization Reader #11 (6 pages).
“Realism and Complex Interdependence.” Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye. The Globalization Reader #13 (7 pages).
“World Society and the Nation-State.” John Meyer, John Boli, George Thomas, and Francisco Ramirez. The Globalization Reader #14 (8 pages).
Week 10: Globalization
and Environmental Politics (Nov. 4, 6)
“Part IX: Environmentalism and the Globalization of Social Problems: Introduction.” The Globalization Reader, pages 371-3 (3 pages).
“Toxic Empire: The World Bank, Free Trade, and the Migration of Hazardous Industry.” Joshua Karliner. Chapter 5 (p. 133-167) in The Corporate Planet. Sierra Club Books (1997). Available at UMN library e-reserve. (35 pages).
“From One Earth to One World.” World Commission on Environment and Development. The Globalization Reader #50 (7 pages).
“Greenpeace and Political Globalisation.” Paul Wapner. The Globalization Reader #52 (7 pages).
Week 11:
Globalization and the Environmental Politics (Nov. 11, 13)
“Environmental Advocacy Networks.” Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink. The Globalization Reader #53 (8 pages).
“Building Political Will After UNCED: EarthAction International.” Jackie Smith. The Globalization Reader #54 (6 pages).
November 13:
Second Midterm
Week 12:
Globalization: Identity and Culture (Nov. 18, 20)
“Travelling Beyond Local Cultures.” Martin Albrow. The Globalization Reader #18 (8 pages).
“Scenarios for Peripheral Cultures.” Ulf Hannerz. The Globalization Reader #45 (7 pages).
“Global Fundamentalism.” Frank Lechner. The Globalization Reader #46 (4 pages).
“The Fundamentalist Impact on Laws,
Politics, and the Constitution in
“
“Revolution is
Week 13:
Globalization: Identity and Culture (Nov. 25)
“Female Genital Cutting: Cultural Conflict in the Global Community.” Chapters 1 and 2 (pp. 1-40). Elizabeth H. Boyle. Available at UMN library e-reserve. (40 pages).
November 27:
Thanksgiving. No Class.
Week 14:
Globalization: Identity, Culture,
and Conflict (Dec.
2, 4)
“Jihad vs. McWorld.” Benjamin Barber. The Globalization Reader #5 (6 pages).
“The Clash of Civilizations?” Samuel Huntington, The Globalization Reader #6 (7 pages).
“Ethnic Conflict in Weak States.” Ann Hironaka. Chapter 4 in Neverending Wars.
Week 15:
Globalization: Identity, Culture,
and Conflict (Dec. 9, 11)
Links to Week 15 readings can be found online at:
http://www.soc.umn.edu/~schofer/2003soc4321/week15.htm
Dec 11: Paper
Due