Globalisation: Culture, Language and The Nation State

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• analyse academic, policy and political debates about the causes and manifestations of globalization
• critically evaluate academic, policy and political writings in the social sciences
• apply theoretical/ conceptual frameworks about capitalism, imperialism and globalization to case studies

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• write an analytical essay about issues in globalization, capitalism and imperialism
• deliver an oral presentation on an academic, policy and political theme
• develop a theoretical/ conceptual argument about contemporary political /economic issues
• think critically about major social science issues
• marshal empirical material drawn from case studies to support your conceptual/theoretical argumentation

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• write critically about the above topics
• understand and participate in arguments about world trade, the WTO, the role of the nation-state in the current era, the relationship between corporations and the nation- state
• analyse case studies in world trade, fair trade, globalization, anti-globalization movements
• think critically about globalization debates and anti-globalization movements
• participate in academic and political discussions about globalization and leading contemporary political and economic issues
• analyse and understand benchmark changes in the world economic order post World War 2

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• case studies of globalization drawn from European and non-European contexts
• the relation between the nation-state and corporations in the contemporary era
• academic, policy and political debates about globalization
• capitalism and imperialism in the present epoch
• the workings of leading multi-lateral agencies (World Bank, IMF, WTO, etc.) Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO’s),
• major academic, policy and political debates about and within the anti-globalization movements
• the emergence of the US as the hegemonic world power

This module analyses meanings, causes and effects of globalisation through an examination of the concentration of financial, economic, political and cultural power. We will study historical ruptures in international economic frameworks and investigate ways that globalisation has affected women and men of different class, racial and ethnic backgrounds in different countries. After surveying the macro- theory, history and effects of globalisation we will analyse case studies from Spain, France, Germany and Latin America. Working in teams, students will conduct research on a selected aspect of globalisation, and will present their research findings in a joint seminar and individual essays.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• lectures, videos
• seminars
• small group discussions
• class debates

Learning activities include

• team research projects and oral presentations
• team discussion and class debates on selected topics
• individual research papers

Innovative or special features of this module

• team research projects
• team oral presentations

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Naomi Klein (2000). No Logo. London: Flamingo.

Munck (2007). Globalisation and contestation. Routledge.

Joseph Stiglitz (2006). Making Globalisation work Globalization and its Discontents. London: Allen Lane.

Martin Wolf (2004). Why Globalisation works. Yale University Press.

Noreena Hertz (2001). The Silent Takeover: Global Capitalism and the Death of Democracy. Heinemann.

Assessment strategy

Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback

 student- led class discussions on selected topics

 group Pp to accompany oral presentations

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External