Globalization Studies

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Introduction.
2. The Rise of Europe and Colonisation. 

3. The Invention of Race and Ethnicity. 

4. Seeds of Resistance : Anti-slavery and Anti-colonial Movements. 

5. The Globalisation of Culture, Consumption and Leisure. 

6. The Local, the Global and the Nation-State : from levels to scales ? 

7. Social Classes in Globalisation I. 

8. Social Classes in Globalisation II. 

9. International Migrations I. 

10. International Migrations II. 

11. Transnational Social Movements. 

12. Conclusion

COURSE OBJECTIVES

What is it that we call “globalisation”, and how does it proceed? What is new about it - if anything - about today’s international flows of economic goods, cultural practices, financial products and people? What exactly, is going global ? Are we observing the end of the nation-state, and an “Americanisation” of cultural practices and lifestyles worldwide? Are we "global citizens"? Who are "transnational migrants"? Which individuals and social groups are most able to enjoy mobility, both geographical and social? In other words, who are the winners and losers of globalisation?

This course provides some answers to these questions by looking into contemporary political, economic, social and cultural phenomena. It looks at the social fabric of « the international » - its actors and processes, scales and flows, but also its limits and tensions - beyond sovereign States and national territories, which have traditionally been predominant in the field of International Relations.

During the course, students will develop the following abilities:

• Identify the main actors, trends and dynamics of today’s internationalisation of human activity

• Produce contextualised and critical analysis of globalisation that is relevant for the press, policy-makers, the private sector or civil society

• Improve their ability to participate in real-life and policy-oriented discussions about the various dimensions of globalisation

• Acquire theoretical and analytical tools to interpret case-studies and approach specific topics inspired by the news or concrete situations of everyday life

• Identify the main topics and debates, arguments and theories within the field of Globalisation studies

• Develop academic research skills and a taste for Globalisation studies

• Improve their ability to write academic essays

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

No prerequisite for this course.

The course draws on sociology and the social sciences broadly, mainly transnational history and anthropology. The syllabus and lectures are careful to avoid the Eurocentric trap and hence take into account the perspectives and experiences of globalisation coming from societies outside Europe and North America. It pays attention to colonisation because it has been crucial in creating the fundamental categories and identities (races, ethnies, genders) that continue to organise and govern systems and lives in today’s globalisation. They deal with critical societal issues globally, such as slavery and racism, gender and sexuality. The reading list is sensitive to gender equality and purportedly includes a high number of scholarly work produced by female academics.

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

Students must read one reading/book chapter every week (see list in the syllabus).

In addition, the following textbooks will help you to map out the different schools of thought within Globalisation studies as well as to understand its main dynamics and consequences:

- Sassen, Saskia, A Sociology of Globalization, Norton & Company, 2007 (4NIV 303.482 SASS)

- Martell, Luke, The sociology of Globalization, Polity Press (second edition), 2017 (4NIV 303.482 MART)

- Held, David and Anthony McGrew (eds), Globalization Theory: Approaches and Controversies, Polity press, 2007 (4NIV 327.1 HELD)

- Held, David and Anthony McGrew (eds), The Global Transformations Reader: An Introduction to the Globalization Debate, Polity Press (second edition), 2003 (4NIV 327.1 HELD cop.2)

- In French: Lecler, Romain, Sociologie de la Mondialisation, La Découverte, 2013 (4NIV 303.484 LECL)  

Support(s) de cours

• Syllabus
• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Office : R 41.4.201 (Institut d’Études Européennes)

Office hours: Thursdays 2-4pm (please make an appointment by email beforehand)

Webpages : https://repi.centresphisoc.ulb.be/fr/user/749 and https://crimino.academia.edu/IsalineBergamaschi

Contact : isaline.bergamaschi@ulb.be When you send me an email please indicate the course’s name and be as specific in framing your requests as you can. Please be aware that emails will not be replied to (i) if they do not include an object and main text (i.e. only an attachment) and (ii) of the answer to your question(s) can be found in the course syllabus.

Practicalities

Erasmus students are welcome to follow this course !

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen écrit

Examen écrit

Written exam, 3 hours, in class, limited space for each question, 6 or 7 points per question. Students must draw on lectures and the compulsory readings.

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

Exam: 100%

Before each lecture, students must prepare one reading. Readings in French will be provided when possible. Each student should be prepared to present and reflect critically upon the weekly reading in class.

Grading

The final exam for the course will consist of a three-hour online exam - whose date will be indicated by the service des horaires and on TimeEdit later during the semester - and of 3 questions. Students must answer each question in a mini-essay (duration : one hour) that will (i) make a clear argument/ will answer the question explicitly and with a clear outline, (ii) build only on the course material and sources (lectures and readings) – unless indicated otherwise.

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais