S1512 Globalization, Ethics, Welfare and Human Rights (Global Challenges core)

The course looks at the ethical implications of globalization, its impact on society, welfare and human rights. Over the past decades, the process of globalization has largely transformed our perception of the world. Ethnoscapes, mediascapes, technoscapes, financescapes and ideoscapes (Appadurai; 1996) fuse in the global city, transforming its space and territory into a melting pot of diaspora communities, technologies, financial capital, information and communication. Historically, law, economy, security, authority, and citizenship have largely been constructed as national. Yet, as globalization challenges the sovereignty of the nation-state by producing a post-democratic world organised according to the abstract principles of transnational governance, it also stimulates new foundational grounds for global citizenship. This course analyzes economic globalization in a historical perspective. Its goal is to analyze and evaluate the arguments of both the critics and the advocates of globalization, paying particular attention to the questions that globalization raises about the future. Is it possible to use globalization to envision different models of economic integration and global coexistence? Is it possible to use the current crisis as an opportunity to imagine future possibilities for an alternative economic development?
Description of in-class discussions
We will have six in-class discussions on six different books. Our policy for each book is "read all you want", this means that you are free to read as much or as little as you want of each book but you should be able to exchange perceptions and respond critically in class. The idea is that you should work in groups: if you want to read only a limited number of pages you should coordinate in very large groups, bearing in mind that large groups will be harder to organize and coordinate. Smaller groups are easier to coordinate though each member must read more. Class discussions will be self-organized and must touch on all aspects of the book. Each of you must be actively involved either by leading the class discussion, presenting a power point or raising critical questions and controversial issues. By the end of the discussion each person should have a critical grasp of the materials in their entirety. You will have ten days to organize each in-class discussion and find creative ways to make them involving and stimulating for everyone.
Description of response papers
The main goal of this assignment is to encourage you to think critically about the materials that we read in class. We will spend three to five weeks discussing each topic. At the end of each session, you must turn in a response paper. Response papers should be three pages long and reflect your personal opinion and your theoretical perspective. What is the author's main argument? What are the more reasonable aspects of his/her argument, what instead would you criticize?
Description of final paper
Think about all the topics we have discussed in class. What are the main challenges that globalization presents for us in the future? What are the main criticalities?
As a general rule, your paper should have a strong central argument which should be clearly stated in your introduction. This argument can be phrased as a statement or as a question, and expanded in the body of your paper. The body of your paper should detail your argument, and support it with evidence such as examples or quotations. This part of your paper should have a logical and coherent progression and show your ability to draw theoretical connections. At the end of the paper, you should summarize how the evidence you have presented proves your argument. You can also use your conclusion to raise interesting questions for further study.
Remember that you must cite all your sources, even if you do not quote them directly, and add a final bibliography. For information on the format of citations and bibliography see the ASA style guide on:
http://www.calstatela.edu/library/bi/rsalina/asa.styleguide.html.
Your final paper should be 10 full pages and must be typed, double-space in font 12 Times New Roman, one inch margin, and stapled at the top-left corner of the page.
Class Environment
In this class we are all teachers and students, and we share responsibility for creating and stimulating a safe learning environment. You are expected to be in class, to be prepared, to read, to think and to talk about the assigned readings. You are also expected to arrive and leave on time, and to actively participate in each class activity and to stimulate lively class discussion. It is crucial to assume that everyone's experiences are different, and to respect each other's feelings at all times.
Class Attendance
I will record attendance. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to gather information about the materials covered. If you are late, make sure you sign in for the day. Once you have signed attendance, you are required to stay for the entire class. Please let me know in advance if you expect to miss a class so that proper arrangements can be made. Class absences will affect your grade.