Sociology 4321: Sociology of Globalization
Fall 2005
Time/Place: 2:30pm – 3:45pm Tuesday and Thursday, BlegH 235
Class Web Page: http://www.soc.umn.edu/~schofer/2005soc4321/home4321.htm
Instructor: Evan Schofer
Email: schof007@tc.umn.edu
Phone: (612) 624-4075
Office: 1127 Social Sciences
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 12:45-2:00 and by appointment
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 Texts:
Brawley, Mark. 2002. The Politics of Globalization. Broadview Press.
Ellwood, Wayne and John McMurty. 2001. The No-Nonsense Guide to Globalization. Verso.
Required Online
Online readings can be found by following the links, below. Some links go directly to the articles, while others connect you to the UMN e-reserve system, which requires a password that I will provide. You can also get to the e-reserve system by typing in the following URL: http://eres.lib.umn.edu/eres/coursepage.aspx?cid=258
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.
Supplemental Readings/Handouts. I may assign additional required readings – such as topical newspaper articles – by providing either a web link or a hard copy during class.
Assignments and
Evaluation
Midterm Exams. There will be two mid-term exams, which will cover course material from lectures and readings. (40% of final grade each)
Reading Quizzes. There will be four short reading quizzes throughout the semester. Dates are indicated below. You must attend class on designated days to take these quizzes. There will be no make-ups for missed quizzes. However, as noted below, your lowest quiz (or short assignment) score will be dropped. So, a single missed quiz will not jeopardize your final grade. (10% of final grade)
Short Assignments. Short homework assignments will be due out every couple of weeks. Due dates are shown below. Short assignments 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. Your lowest score on a reading quiz or short assignment will be dropped in the final grade calculation, to allow for the unpredictability of life. (To be clear: Only a single score will be dropped, not the lowest quiz and the lowest short assignment.) 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.
Assignment Policies:
Late Papers. Short assignments received late will be marked down one point per day. Extensions may be granted for legitimate reasons if requested in advance.
Missed Exams. Missed exams cannot be taken later, 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. I have occasionally made special arrangements, in advance, for students with particular needs.
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 or other sources. If requested, students in this course must provide computer copies of their papers for examination by plagiarism detection software. Keep electronic 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
Course handouts, assignments, and other information will be posted to the course web page (listed above). The online syllabus also contains active links to online readings. Any changes in the syllabus, assignments, 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. 6, 8)
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. 13, 15)
“States and the World Economy.” Section 3.2 (pp. 83-98) in The Geography of the World Economy (4th Ed). Paul Knox, John Agnew, and Linda McCarthy. UMN library e-reserve. (16 pages)
“Commanding Heights: The Battle Between Government and the Marketplace that is Remaking the Modern World.” Daniel Yergin and Joseph Stanislaw, Excerpt. UMN library e-reserve. (8 pages).
“The Golden Straightjacket.” Thomas L. Friedman. Chapter 5 (p. 83-93) in The Lexus and the Olive Tree. Farrar, Straus, and Grioux (1999). UMN library e-reserve. (11 pages).
Krugman, Paul R. 1993. “What Do Undergrads Need to Know About Trade?” The American Economic Review, Vol. 83, No. 2, Papers and Proceedings of the Hundred and Fifth Annual Meeting of the American Economic Association. (May, 1993), pp. 23-26 (4 pages).
September 13: Short Assignment #1 Due
Week 3: States,
Markets, and the Global Economy (Sept. 20, 22)
Brawley, The Politics of Globalization, Chapter 4: “Is Globalization Occurring? Assessing the Evidence” (27 pages).
Ellwood, The No-Nonsense Guide to Globalization, Chapters 1-4 (71 pages).
September 22: Reading Quiz #1
Week 4: Economic
Globalization (Sept. 27, 29)
“The Globalization of Production Systems.” Chapter 6 (pp. 181-212) in The Geography of the World Economy (4th Ed). Paul Knox, John Agnew, and Linda McCarthy. UMN library e-reserve. (32 pages)
“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.
“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). UMN library e-reserve. (19 pages).
September 27: Short Assignment #2 Due
Week 5: Economic
Globalization: Consequences (Oct 4, 6)
“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.
Ellwood, The No-Nonsense Guide to Globalization, Chapters 5-6 (35 pages).
“Free Trade Agreements.” Robert K. Schaeffer. Chapter 9 (pages 217-250) in Understanding Globalization. Rowman and Littlefield, Inc. (2003). UMN library e-reserve. (34 pages).
“Debt Crisis and Globalization.” Robert K. Schaeffer. Chapter 5 (pp. 95-118) in Understanding Globalization. Rowman and Littlefield, Inc. (2003). UMN library e-reserve. (22 pages).
October 4: Reading Quiz #2
Week 6: Economic Globalization (Oct.
11, 13)
Obstfeld, Maurice. 1998. “The
Global Capital Market: Benefactor or Menace?” The
Journal of Economic Perspectives, Vol. 12, No. 4. (Autumn, 1998), pp. 9-30
(22 pages).
October 13:
First Midterm
Week 7:
Globalization and Governance (Oct. 18, 20)
“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). UMN library e-reserve. (16 pages).
Brawley, The Politics of Globalization, Chapter 5: “Globalization and Domestic Politics” (22 pages).
Brawley, The Politics of Globalization, Chapter 6: “How Globalization’s Impact Varies” (24 pages).
Week 8:
Globalization and Governance (Oct. 25, 27)
“(Mis)Managing
the World.” Chapter 6
(pp. 58-76) in Globalization/Anti-Globalization. 2002. David Held and Anthony McGrew.
Keck, Margaret E. and Kathryn Sikkink.
1998. “Transnational Advocacy
Networks in International Relations.” Pp. 1-38 in Keck, Margaret E. and Kathryn Sikkink. 1998. Activists Beyond Borders.
Ellwood, The No-Nonsense Guide to Globalization, Chapter 6 “Redesigning the Global Economy.” (30 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). UMN library e-reserve. (35 pages).
“Greenpeace and Political Globalisation.[excerpt]” Paul Wapner. The Globalization Reader #52. UMN library e-reserve. (7 pages).
October 27: Short Assignment #3
Week 9: Theories
of Globalization (Oct.
Nov 1, 3)
Brawley, The Politics of Globalization, Chapter 5: “Theoretical Lenses for Viewing Globalization.” (21 pages).
Chirot, Daniel and Thomas D. Hall. 1982. “World-System Theory.” Annual Review of Sociology, 8:81-106. UMN library e-reserve. (26 pages).
Frank, Andre G.
1969. “The Development of
Underdevelopment.” Pp.
3-20 in Frank, Andre G.
1969.
Waltz, Kenneth N. 1999. “Globalization and Governance.” PS: Political Science and Politics, Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 693-700. (8 pages).
November 3: Reading Quiz #3
Week 10: Theories
of Globalization (Nov. 8, 10)
Keohane, Robert O. and Joseph S. Nye. 2001.
“Realism and Complex Interdependence.” Pp. 20-32 in Power and
Interdependence (Third Edition).
Sikkink, Kathryn. 1998.
“Transnational
Politics, International Relations Theory, and Human Rights.” PS:
Political Science and Politics, Vol. 31, No. 3. (Sep., 1998), pp. 516-523
(8 pages).
“World Society and the Nation-State.”
“The Development and Application of Sociological Neoinstitutionalism.[excerpt]” Ronald L. Jepperson. 2002. pp. 229-266 in New Directions in Contemporary Sociological Theory, edited by Joseph Berger & Morris Zelditch, Jr., Rowman & Littlefield. UMN library e-reserve. (10 pages).
“The Nation As Babbitt: How Countries Conform.” John W. Meyer. 2004. Contexts, 3, 3 (Summer):42-47. UMN library e-reserve. (6 pages).
Week 11: Theories
of Globalization (Nov.
15, 17)
November 17:
Second Midterm
Week 12:
Globalization: Identity and Culture (Nov. 22, 24)
“Revolution is
November 24:
Thanksgiving. No Class.
Week 13:
Globalization: Identity and Culture (Nov. 29,
Dec. 1)
Brawley, The Politics of Globalization, Chapter 7: “Globalization and the Politics of Identity” (15 pages).
“Female Genital Cutting: Cultural Conflict in the Global Community.” Chapters 1 and 2 (pp. 1-40). Elizabeth H. Boyle. UMN library e-reserve. (40 pages).
“Scenarios for Peripheral Cultures.” Ulf Hannerz. The Globalization Reader #45. UMN library e-reserve. (7 pages).
Week 14:
Globalization: Identity, Culture,
and Conflict (Dec.
6, 8)
“The Clash of Civilizations?” Samuel Huntington, Foreign Affairs, 1993, Vol. 72, No. 3 (Summer), pp. 22-end. UMN library e-reserve. (7 pages).
“Global Fundamentalism.” Frank Lechner. The Globalization Reader #46. UMN library e-reserve. (4 pages).
“The Desecularization of the
World: A Global Overview.” Peter L. Berger. Pp. 1-18 in The Descularization of the World: Resurgent Religion and World Politics. Edited by Peter L. Berger. William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co:
“The Myth of Global Ethnic Conflict.” John R. Bowen. 1996. Journal of Democracy, 7, 4:3-14. UMN library e-reserve. (12 pages).
“Ethnic
Conflict in Weak States.” Chapter 4 in Neverending Wars.
December 6: Reading Quiz #4
Week 15:
Globalization: Identity, Culture,
and Conflict (Dec. 13)
No Additional readings!!!
December 13:
Short Assignment #4 Due
GRADES: University academic achievement
is graded under two systems: A-F (with pluses and minuses) and S-N. Choice of grading system and course level
(1xxx/3xxx/4xxx) is indicated on the registration website; changes in grade
scale may not be made after the second week of the semester. Some courses may be taken under only one system;
limitations are identified in the course listings. The Department of Sociology requires A-F
registration in courses required for the major/minor. University regulations prescribe the grades
that will be reported on your transcript.
A Represents achievement that is
outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements (4.00
grade points)
A-
3.67 grade points
B+ 3.33 grade points
B Achievement significantly above the level
necessary to meet course requirements (3.00 grade points)
B-
2.67 grade points
C+ 2.33 grade points
C Achievement that meets the basic course
requirements in every respect (2.00 grade points)
C-
1.67 grade points
D+ 1.33 grade points
D Achievement worthy of credit even though
it fails to meet fully the course requirements (1.00 grade
point)
F Performance that fails to meet the basic
course requirements (0 grade points)
S Represents
achievement that is satisfactory, which is equivalent to a C- or better.
N No credit. Its use is now restricted to
students not earning an S on the S-N grade base
I Incomplete, a temporary symbol assigned
when the instructor has a "reasonable expectation" that you 1) can
successfully complete unfinished work on your own no later than one year from
the last day of classes and 2) believes that legitimate reasons exist to
justify extending the deadline for course completion. The instructor may set date conditions for
make-up work. If a course is not completed as prescribed or not made up as
agreed within the year, the I will lapse to an F if
registered on the A-F grade base or an N if registered on the S-N grade base.
W Official withdrawal from a
course after the end of the second week of the semester. You must file a course
cancellation request before the end of the sixth week of the semester to ensure
that the W, rather than the F, will be formerly entered on your record.
FINAL EXAMINATIONS (see schedule on the Calendar web site at http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Calendars/FinalExams.html):
You are required to take final examinations at the scheduled times. Under certain circumstances, however, you may
request final examination schedule adjustment in your college office. Instructors are obligated to schedule make-up
examinations within the final examination period for students who have three
final examinations within a 16-hour period.
Instructors also are encouraged to reschedule examinations for students
with religious objections to taking an examination on a given day. You must submit your request for an
adjustment in your schedule at least two weeks before the examination period
begins. For assistance in resolving
conflicts, call the CLA Student Information Office at 625-2020. If you
miss a final, an F or N is recorded. You must obtain the instructor's
permission to make up the examination.
Final examinations may be rescheduled by the instructor only through the
official procedure for that purpose (as noted on the above web page). Final examinations may not be scheduled for
the last day of class or earlier or for Study Day. If an examination is rescheduled at the
instructor's request, and you have an examination conflict because of it, you
are entitled to be given the final examination at an alternative time within
the regularly scheduled examination period for that semester.
CLASS ATTENDANCE: As
a CLA student, you are responsible for attending class and for ascertaining the
particular attendance requirements for each class or department. You should also learn each instructor's policies
concerning make-up of work for absences.
Instructors and students may consult the CLA Classroom, Grading, and
Examination Procedures Handbook for more information on these policies (http://advisingtools.class.umn.edu/cgep/).
COURSE PERFORMANCE AND GRADING:
Instructors establish ground rules for their courses in conformity with
their department policies and are expected to explain them at the first course
meeting. This includes announcement of
office hours and location, the kind of help to be expected from the instructor
and teaching assistants, and tutorial services, if available. The instructor also describes the general
nature of the course, the work expected, dates for examinations and paper
submissions, and expectations for classroom participation and attendance. Instructors determine the standards for
grading in their classes and will describe expectations, methods of evaluation,
and factors that enter into grade determination. The special conditions under which an
incomplete (I) might be awarded also should be established. The college does not permit you to submit
extra work to raise your grade unless all students in the class are afforded the
same opportunity.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: You
are entitled to a good learning environment in the classroom. Students whose behavior is disruptive either
to the instructor or to other students will be asked to leave (the policies
regarding student conduct are outlined in the CLA
Classroom, Grading, and Examination Procedures Handbook on-line at http://advisingtools.class.umn.edu/cgep/).
SCHOLASTIC CONDUCT: The University Student Conduct Code defines
scholastic dishonesty as follows:
Scholastic Dishonesty means plagiarizing;
cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration
on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty
permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement;
acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain
dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering,
forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying
data, research procedures, or data analysis. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the
description above. It could also be said that scholastic dishonesty is any act
that violates the rights of another student with respect to academic work or
that involves misrepresentation of a student's own work. Also included would be
cheating on assignments or examinations, inventing or falsifying research or
other findings with the intent to deceive, submitting the same or substantially
similar papers (or creative work) for more than one course without consent of
all instructors concerned, depriving another of necessary course materials, and
sabotaging another's work. Should misconduct arise, the college's Scholastic
Conduct Committee in cooperation with the Office of Student Academic
Integrity/Student Judicial Affairs (OSAI/SJA) assists instructors in resolving
cases, reviews cases in which students believe themselves unfairly treated, and
checks for multiple offenses in different courses.
Faculty members who suspect students of scholastic misconduct must report the
matter to OSAI/SJA. Students cannot evade (intentionally or unintentionally)
a grade sanction by withdrawing from a course before or after the misconduct
charge is reported. This also applies to late withdrawals, including
discretionary late cancellation (also known as the "one-time-only
drop").
A REMINDER OF RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
* SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT POLICIES *
GRADE
INFORMATION: Grades are due in the Office the Registrar
within 3 business days after the final examination. No information regarding
grades will be released by the department office staff to anyone except
designated personnel in Records and college offices. Students may access their own grades through
their computer account. They may do this
by following the directions on the One Stop web site at http://onestop.umn.edu/.
INCOMPLETES: It is the
instructor's responsibility to specify conditions under which an Incomplete (I)
grade is assigned. Students should refer
to the course syllabus and talk with the instructor as early as possible if
they anticipate not completing the course work.
Coursework submitted after the final examination will generally be
evaluated down unless prior arrangements are made in writing by
the instructor. University policy states
that if completion of the work requires the student to attend class in
substantial part a second time, assigning an “I” grade is NOT appropriate. Incompletes
are appropriate only if the student can make up the coursework independently
with the same professor.
MAKE-UP
EXAMINATIONS: Each semester the Sociology Department
arranges a special time for make-up examinations, with proctors arranged by the
department. This exam is mainly for
students who need to make up work from the previous semester, (i.e. quiz,
midterm, or final) and who have made arrangements with the instructor to do
so. A make-up session is held near mid
term each semester, including summer session. Information about the make-up
session is available from the front office (909 Soc Sci).
Students who wish to take the exam must contact the front office early in the
semester and get approval to attend the make-up session from their
instructor. Any other arrangements for
special examinations must be made directly with the instructor who taught the
course and who is responsible for approving and supervising the examination or
making individual arrangements.
GRADE
CHANGES: Grades properly arrived at are not subject to
renegotiation unless all students in the class have similar opportunities. Students have the right to check for possible
clerical errors in the assignment of grades by checking with the instructor
and/or teaching assistant.
Students with justifiable complaints about grades or
classroom procedures have recourse through well-established grievance
procedures. You are expected to confer
first with the course instructor. If no
satisfactory solution is reached, the complaint should be presented in writing
to the department associate chair and/or the department academic advisor (909
Soc Sci). If
these informal processes fail to reach a satisfactory resolution, other formal
procedures for hearing and appeal can be invoked. See the departmental advisor in 923 Social
Sciences to explore options.
SOCIOLOGY
PROGRAMS INFORMATION: The Sociology Department offers two options
for the Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree. We also have an Honors Program. Students interested in majoring in Sociology
should attend an information meeting about the major. Meetings are held about once a week. Sign up for a meeting in 909 Social Sciences.
Further information can be obtained from the following persons and offices:
General
information, Sociology Department, 909 Social Sciences - 624-4300
Sociology Honors Advisor, Professor Joachim Savelsberg,
1181 Social Sciences - 624-0273
Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Elizabeth
Boyle (through 8/05), 967 Social Sciences - 624-3343, or Penny Edgell (9/05 –
9/06), 1074 Social Sciences – 624-9828 and/or the Graduate Secretary, 931
Social Sciences - 624-2093