Lewis Clark State College, Fall
2002
Social Science 100-01
Global Issues: Introduction to Globalization
Prof. Eric Martin
101 Spalding Hall (Office Hours: M/W: 12:30-1:30, T/Th: 2:45-3:45, or by
appointment)
Phone: (208) 792-2281
Email: elmartin@lcsc.edu Website:
www.whc.neu.edu/emartin/index.htm
Course Description
The term "Globalization" has increasingly become part of the vocabulary
of governments, economic players, academics, and citizens around the world since
November 1999, when the annual meeting of the World Trade Organization in Seattle
was met with massive citizen protests. But what, exactly, does "globalization"
mean? Perhaps more importantly, how does globalization impact us as individuals,
our families, and the communities we live in? This course will be focused on
developing an answer to the question "What is Globalization?" Each
week through our readings, class discussions, videos and lectures we will examine
different elements of the globalization process (historical, economic, political,
social, cultural, etc.). It will be up to you to determine how these different
pieces of the "globalization puzzle" fit together and what they mean
to you at both the local and the global level.
Objectives/Goals
It is my intention that you leave this course with an intellectual tool
that you can utilize (and customize) to better understand the dynamics of the
world around you. By the end of this course you will strengthen/develop your
ability to:
Required Readings
Grading and Evaluation
Course Requirements
Attendance
Excessive absences will have a detrimental impact on your grade (see paragraph
below). It is your responsibility to make arrangements if an emergency prevents
you from turning in an assignment on time or requires you to be away from class
for an extended period. Get any missed notes from a classmate. No assignment
will be accepted late without a previous arrangement or a paperwork trail as
indicated in the LCSC handbook. Additionally, be in class on time.
Weekly Thought Pieces (25% of overall grade)
Each week you will write a one page (typed, single-spaced) "thought
piece" based on the assigned reading material. These essays will be focused
on a question or issue that I will give you before hand. In addition to any
specific questions you are asked about the reading, your thoughtpieces should:
1) summarize the author's main point 2) critique her/his argument. (Did they
successfully make their point(s)? Did you agree/disagree with it? Why?) 3) address
what you think the assigned reading has to do with the globalization process?
Conclude your essay with a question that you think would be a good discussion
question for the class over the assigned readings.
The care taken in creating these assignments will be reflected in the grade. In other words, I expect them to be well-written, properly formatted and proofread. These pieces will be graded based on thoughtfulness and clarity; there are no right or wrong answers. You will receive one of four grades: excellent, thoughtful, fair, or weak. Average "thoughtful" for the semester and receive the full 25%. An "excellent" and a "fair" together average out as two "thoughtfuls." Late papers are not an option and your essays are due in class. Each thought piece should be dated and should identify which set of readings it covers. Also, don't forget your name.
You are to maintain your thoughtpieces in a paper pocket portfolio (no plastic please) and you are to bring your portfolio with you to class to use for discussions. You will also use these pieces to help you write your "What is Globalization?" essay. This portfolio will be turned in at the mid-term and again on the last day of class.
Classroom Participation (25% of overall grade)
This course is heavily based on discussion and depends upon your active participation.
Twenty five percent of your overall grade will be based on your daily participation
in our various classroom discussions over the week's assigned readings and topics.
Several of our discussions over the assigned readings this semester will be
student led. Groups of about five students each will prepare in advance a list
of questions and mark important passages to serve as the basis for a class discussion.The
entire class will have written thoughtpieces on a common set of questions over
the readings, so you will not be expected to summarize the readings to the class,
but rather to involve the class in a meaningful discussion over the material
and what kinds of issues it raises connected to the globalization process. The
better prepared your group is, the better our discussion will be. When it lags,
I'll step in and do my best to help you out.
Class Project/Presentation (25% of overall grade)
You will develop a 7-10 minute presentation focusing on some aspect of globalization
that impacts you personally, your family, or the community you live in. Your
main objective in this presentation will be to communicate how the global and
the local are connected and influence each other. You may interpret the term
"presentation" simply as "effective communication of information."
If you wish to stand up in front of the class and lecture, fine. However, you
might also consider creating a 7-10 minute video project, radio show, photo
essay, web page etc... I am willing to listen to any proposal you have, but
all projects must be approved by me. You will receive a detailed set of guidelines
in the near future.
"What is Globalization?" Essay (25% of overall grade)
You will write a 7 page (typed-double spaced) essay that provides your answer
to the question "What is Globalization?" You will receive the details
concerning this assignment in the near future. However, keep in mind that virtually
all of your thoughtpieces will be directed at this question, as will your class
project/presentation.
Academic Honesty
You are on your honor at all times and my presumption is that each of you is
honest. However, the College does not tolerate academic dishonesty of any sort.
All written work that you hand in -- essays and examinations -- must be exclusively
your work. Contact me if you are not clear on this point.
Due to the nature of this course, it is all but certain that this schedule will need to be revised from time to time. Any changes will first be announced in class and then posted on the webpage. Additional reading material will be assigned as needed, this material might be handed out in class or put on reserve in the library, but most likely will come to you in the form of an internet link.
Week 1 (Aug. 26-30) Initial Perceptions of Globalization
Assignment
One Page Essay "What is Globalization and Why Should I care?"
Week 2 (Sept 2-6, no class Sept. 2 -- Labor Day) Defining Economics
Readings
Klein: Introduction (xiii-xxi) (Study questions: What is the Author's purpose in writing this book? Based on the introduction what can you tell about the author's perspective? Can you detect any biases of which you should be aware? What is the thesis of this book?)
Assignments Due:
Tues. Sept. 3 : Go to http://www.zmag.org/LaborWatch.htm and read the articles at the bottom of the page entitled "Nader: Labor Day" & "Jackson:Labor Day Numbers." Print these articles out and bring them to class with you. Be prepared to discuss what these articles tell you about the condition of the American Worker as we celebrate Labor Day.
Thurs. Sept 5: One page thought piece on this weeks readings based on the study questions above. Don't forget to conclude your thought piece with a question that you think will be good for class discussion.
Class Materials
Below are three sets of charts from United for a Fair Economy
Wealth Inequality Charts
Income Inequality Charts
CEO Pay ChartsFigure out the numbers for yourself at the U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Optional Resources
Hear the author of your book No Logo discuss: the World Summit On Sustainable Development, on Democracy Now!
Hear Democracy Now's! discussion on logging in Northwest, which begins with a discussion of why the police in Portland fired tear gas and rubber bullets at 2,000 political/economic activists.
Week 3 (Sept. 9-13)
Readings:
Klein: 1 (p. 3-26), 2 (p. 27-62)
Assignments:
For Tues. Sept. 10: Be prepared to discuss the strongest/weakest arguments presented in the video The Ad and the Ego. Over the weekend, note a few concrete examples that you see to support what you see as the strongest/weakest arguments in the video.
For Th. Sept 12: One Page Thought Piece as outlined above on this weeks readings. Be prepared to discuss this week's assigned readings.
Optional Resources
Hear Percy Schmeiser, a Canadian canola farmer, who has taken the massive agribusiness firm, and advocate of genetically modified food, Monsanto to court on Democracy Now! Schmeiser's canola fields were tainted with Monsanto's genetically modified (and patented) canola seed through genetic drift. Monsanto claims that no matter how their patented DNA got in his field, Schmeisers seeds are now the property of Monsanto.
Week 4 (Sept. 16-20) What is the IMF/WorldBank?
Readings:
Klein: 3 (p. 63-86), 4 (p. 87- 106), 5 (107-124) Student Led Discussion (Th.)
Assignments:
For Tues. Sept. 17: Come to class with a printed version of the following article: Who Owns Water?. Your printed copy should be marked up with notes that highlight the strongest points of the article and the weakest. You should have any questions that come up marked in the margins. When you are finished reading the article write a paragraph on the back of your copy that answers the questions: 1) Who owns water? 2) What does water have to do with globalization?
For Th. Sept. 19: Be prepared to discuss the main points of each chapter of this weeks readings. In addition, you are to write a one page thought piece that examines the entire section "No Space" as a whole based on the following sets of questions.
Why did Klein call this section "No Space?" (In other words, what is her overall argument in "No Space?") Using examples from the text and from your own experience, do you mostly agree or mostly disagree with her overall argument in this section? Conclude your essay with a paragraph that explains what "No Space" tells you about part of the globalization process. Don't forget to end your essay with a questions that you think would be good for class discussion.
Optional Resources:
Week 5 (Sept. 23-27)
Readings:
Klein: 6 (p. 129- 142), 7 (p. 143-164), 8 (p. 165-191) Student Led Discussion
Assignments:
Tues. Sept. 24: Come to class with the following article. Have your copy marked up with plenty of notes and be prepared to discuss it : Unveiling NAFTA for the Americas" - NAFTA + WTO = FTAA from the Global Trade Watch section of Public Citizen, a "national nonprofit public interest organization." Video: Trading Democracy.
Thurs. Sept. 26: The title of this section is "No Choice." Based on the chapters in this section, what do you think Klein means by "No Choice?" What are the three strongest arguments that Klein makes to support "No Choice"? (Please provide specific examples from the reading). What to you think are the weak points in Klein's concept of "No Choice"? Using your own experience around you as evidence, do you find Klein's argument in this section convincing? Finally, what does "No Choice" tell you about the globalization process? (Don't forget to end your essay with a question that you think would be good for class discussion.)
Optional Resources:
Week 6 (Sept. 30-Oct. 4) One-Page
Project/Presentation Proposal Due 10/3
Readings
Klein: 9 (p. 195-230), 10 (p. 231-258), Klein: 11 (p. 259-278) Student Led Discussion
Assignments
Tues: You are to come to class with two copies of a full rough draft of your class project/presentation proposal. One copy you will use during the class, the other will be handed in to me and you will not get it back. Your final versions are due on Thursday.
Thurs: The title for this section is "No Jobs." What do you think Klein means by "No Jobs"? Connect some of your own experiences to some of the specific examples Klein provides as evidence for her argument -- do you find Klein's argument in this section convincing? What does "No Jobs" tell you about the globalization process, and particularly how is influences you and your community?(Don't forget to end your essay with a question that you think would be good for class discussion.)
Optional Resources
Week 7(Oct. 7-11)
Readings
Klein: 12 (p. 279-310), 13 (p. 311-324), 14 (p. 325-344) Student Led Discussion
Assignments
Tues: No formal assignment for Tuesday. Video: Zoned for Slavery.
Thurs: In this weeks chapters, Klein describes various methods of dealing with the problems she has been outlining connected to what might be best described as "corporate globalization". Evaluate the overall strengths and weaknesses of the techniques described in the readings. In what ways do they effectively deal with the problem Klein has described? In what ways do they leave major issues of the problem unresolved? Would these kind of techniques be effective in your community? If not, what do you think might be more effective? (Don't forget to end your essay with a question that you think would be good for class discussion.)
Optional Resources
Week 8(Oct. 14-18)
Klein: 15 (p. 345-364), 16 (p. 365-396), 17 (p. 397-420) Student Led Discussion
Tues. No formal assignment Due. Discussion topic: Agriculture and Globalization.
Thurs. Final thought piece on the Klein book. Paying special attention to chapters 16 and 17, write a thought piece that describes and evaluates the strongest and weakest points in this section of the book.
Week 9(Oct. 21-25) "What is Globalization?" Essay Draft
& Portfolio Due 10/24
Klein: 18 (p. 421-437), Conclusion (p. 439-446)
Tues. No formal assignment due. Video: The Big One
Thurs. Using your thought pieces, the Klein book, other class materials (notes, handouts, web materials), as well as information you may have gathered for your class presentation, write a 4 page (double-spaced) essay that addresses the question "What is Globalization and in what ways does in impact my community/life?"
Select one of the following formats to organize your essay:
1) Based on what you have learned so far, what are the three most important things you think people in your community should know about the way the globalization process influences their lives? Conclude your essay with with a paragraph or two focusing on how your community might exercise some influence over the globalization process.
2) We have discussed various aspects of the globalization process which might be most simply categorized as: economic, political, cultural/social, intellectual/psychological, historical, and environmental. Select what you believe are the three most important aspects to focus on in order to understand the globalization process in your community. Then demonstrate what each of your three selected categories tells you about the globalization process. Conclude your essay with a paragraph or two focusing on how your community might exercise some influence over the globalization process.
3) Based on what you have learned so far, do you think that the globalization process has been primarily a positive or a negative experience for your community? Be sure to address both sides of the issue. Conclude your essay with a paragraph or two focusing on ways your community can exercise some influence over the experience of globalization.
Be sure to take a look at the criteria I will use for grading as well as a review of the basic five paragraph essay.
Week 10 (Oct. 28-Nov. 1)
Mahajan: Part One: Intro-Ch. 10 (p. 7-55) Student Led Discussion
Assignments
Tues: Imperialism by John Hobson (1902)
Thurs: Select one of the following question to write your essay on. Be sure to remember to end your essay with a question that you think would be good to discuss in class.
1) Describe your immediate "gut feeling" to the reading assignment. Then, as much as possible, explain why you think you reacted this way to the reading material. Please use short direct quotes and refer to a page numbers to make your essay as specific as possible.
2) Which part of Mahajan's argument in these first 10 chapters are his strongest points? Which parts of his argument do you think are the weakest? Please use a short direct quotes and refer to a page numbers to make your essay as specific as possible.
3) What is the most important issue Mahajan addresses in this selection? Describe his major points on this issue and explain why you think this this is the most important issue from the readings.
Optional Sources
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx & Friedrich Engles
Week 11 (Nov. 4-8)
Mahajan: Part One (cont.): Ch. 11-19 (p. 56-98) Student Led Discussion
Assignments
Tues: TBA
Thurs: Select one of the following question to write your essay on. Be sure to remember to end your essay with a question that you think would be good to discuss in class.
1) What is the most important issue Mahajan addresses in this selection? Describe his major points on this issue and why you think this this is the most important issue from the readings.
2) Which part of Mahajan's argument in these chapters is his strongest point? Which parts of his argument do you think are the weakest? Please use a short direct quote or refer to a page number to make your essay as specific as possible.
3) Choose a portion of Mahajan's agrument that seems to be rather outside the "mainstream" interpretation of the war on terrorism presented in the mass media and follow a couple of his original footnotes to the sources he used. Write an brief essay on what you think of this portion of Mahajan's argument after reading the same sources that he did.
Optional Resources
Week 12 ( Nov. 11-15)
Assignments
Tues: TBA
Thurs: What was "The White Man's Burden"? What is Mahajan's strongest point in describing the war on terrorism as "The New White Man's Burden"? What is his weakest point in describing the war on terrorism as "The New White Man's Burden"? Conclude your essay with a 1/4 page argument in favor of or against Mahajan's perceptions that the war on terrorism has a large imperialist component
Optional Resources
Week 13 (Nov. 18-22)
Mahajan: Part Three (p. 124-148)
Assignments:
Tues: TBA
Thurs: Choose one of the questions below to write your thought piece on.
1) What is Mahajan's strongest argument in this section? What is his weakest?
2) According to Mahajan, how are "national" security interests determined? Do you think the examples he provides concerning "new directions" in the war on terrorism adequately support his description of how "national" security interests are determined? Explain. What do you think about his description of "national security"?
(Nov. 25-29, No Class Thanksgiving Break)
Week 14 (Dec. 2 - 6)
Dec. 3
Block 'B' Presents: Agriculture, H20, H20, and OilDec. 5
Trade and Korea, Workers, Global/Local, Environment, Poverty
Week 15 (Dec. 9-13) Polished Globalization Essay 12/13
Dec. 10
Drug War, Tolerance, Global Education, LibrariesDec. 12
Martial Arts, Women and the Media, World Cup Soccer,Historical Perspectives, Language