POSC 33123
Fall 2011
Office Hours: M: 9-11:30 a.m.
And 2-2:30 p.m.or by appointment
EMail:M.Dorraj@tcu.edu
Instructor: Dr. M. Dorraj
Office: Scharbauer # 2012D
Phone: 817-257-6097
Globalization
Course Description
The last three decades of the 20th century ushered in tumultuous changes in the political
landscape, changes that would have an indelible impact on the emerging society of 21st century.
We live in an important historical juncture that is marked by a shift in paradigm. As the world
around us, partially spurred by the intended and unintended consequences of technological
revolution, changes rapidly, so should our mental map of the world. But, unfortunately, our
consciousness lags behind the unfolding complexity marked by global economic
interdependence, the satellite communication, and the shrinking of the world, what we
euphemistically call globalization.
This course is designed to provide a forum for analysis and discussion of some of the most
significant and vexing issues of global politics and political economy in the post-Cold War and
the Post-Modern era in the context of globalization, and the intellectual debates surrounding it.
While the attempt is to dissect these issues on their own terms, we would also discuss the
challenges they pose to the U.S. foreign policy and the global community in the new millennium.
Some of the key concepts discussed in this course include, the impact of global economic
interdependence, high-tech and the rise of social media, inequality, environmental degradation,
migration, hybrid identity and religious revivalism.
Course Objectives
Students enrolled in this course should be able to
1.
2.
3.
4.
Define globalization and comprehend its multifaceted dimensions.
Appreciate the economic, political and cultural impact of globalization.
Understand the relationship between globalization and inequality.
Comprehend the leading role of the United States in the process of globalization and the
challenges that globalization poses to U.S. foreign policy.
Required Texts
George Ritzer, Globalization: A Basic Text (New York: Wiley & Blackwell, 2010)
Joseph Stiglitz, Free Fall: America, Free Market, and the Sinking of the World Economy (New
York and London: W.W. Norton, 2010).
Dilip Hiro, After Empire: The Birth of a Multipolar World
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Evaluation and Grading
Your grade would be determined on the basis of your performance in a research paper, (20-25
pages), one oral presentation, one book review ( 5-7 pages ) and a comprehensive final exam.
The proposed topics for the paper would be discussed in class.
Research paper
Oral presentation
Book Review
Comprehensive final exam
40%
20%
20%
20%
Total
100%
Grading Scale:
(90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 0-59=F)
Course outline and the Reading Assignment
Week 1: Defining Globalization
Ritzer, PP.1-32.
Week 1: The debates over Globalization
Ritzer, PP.33-62.
Week 2: Globalization: A Historical Analysis
Ritzer, PP. 63-107.
Week 2: Alternative Perspectives on Globalization
Ritzer, PP. 109-138.
Discussing the multifaceted dimensions of Globalization
****Oral Presentations Begin****
Week 3: Global Political Structures and Processes
Ritzer, PP.139- 170.
Week 3: Globalization and the New Structure of Global Economy
Ritzer, PP.171-242.
Week 4: Globalization, Culture, and Identity
Ritzer, PP.243-276.
Week 4: Globalization and High -Technology
Ritzer, PP.277-295.
Week 5: Globalization and Migration
Ritzer, PP.296-334.
Week5 : Globalization and Environmental Degradation
Ritzer, PP. 335-364
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Week 6: Globalization, Disease, Crime, Terrorism and War
Ritzer, PP. 365-399.
Week 6: Globalization and Inequality
Ritzer, PP.401-474.
Week 7: Globalization, Resistance, and the Future
Ritzer, PP. 475-504.
****Oral Presentations End****
The economic and social impact of Globalization: A case study of global recession of 2008
Week 8 : The Making of Global Recession of 2008 and the Response to it
Week 8: The Mortgage Scam and the Response to it
Week 9: A New Capitalist Order
Stiglitz, PP.1-76.
Stiglitz, PP. 77-183.
Stiglitz, PP. 184-237.
Week 9: Reforming the US and the global Economy
Stiglitz, 238-343.
A changing World
Week 10: America’s Place in the World: Eclipsed by Wars and Financial Meltdown
Hiro: PP: 25-86.
Week 10: Return of the Russian Bear
Week 11: Iran and Venezuela
Week 12: The rise of China
Hiro: PP: 87-116.
Hiro: PP: 117-146
Hiro:PP: 147-185.
Week 13: India Strives & European Union: Work in Progress Hiro:PP: 187-205 & 207-218.
Week 14: Democracy: One size does not fit all & Soft Power Challenges to America
Hiro: PP: 219-249.
Week 15: Future Flash points and the Challenges ahead: Hiro: PP: 251-297.
****Thanks giving Recess: Wednesday, November 23rd-Sunday, November 27th****
Disabilities Statement and Services:
Texas Christian University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities.
Eligible students seeking accommodations should contact the Coordinator of Services for
Students with Disabilities in the Center for Academic Services located in Sadler Hall, 11.
Accommodations are not retroactive, therefore, students should contact the Coordinator
as soon as possible in the term for which they are seeking accommodations. Further
information can be obtained from the Center for Academic Services, TCU Box 297710,
Fort Worth, TX 76129, or at (817) 257-7486.
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Adequate time must be allowed to arrange accommodations and accommodations are not
retroactive; therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the
academic term for which they are seeking accommodations. Each eligible student is
responsible for presenting relevant, verifiable, professional documentation and/or
assessment reports to the Coordinator. Guidelines for documentation may be found at
http://www.acs.tcu.edu/DISABILITY.HTM.
Students with emergency medical information or needing special arrangements in case a
building must be evacuated should discuss this information with their instructor/professor
as soon as possible.
Academic Misconduct
According to Section 3.4 of the Student Handbook, “any act that violates the academic integrity
of the institution is considered academic misconduct.” Procedures used to resolve suspected acts
of academic misconduct are available in the offices of the academic deans and the Office of
Campus Life. Specific Examples include but are not limited to:
Cheating: Copying from another student’s test paper, other report or computer files and listings;
using during any academic exercise material and /or devices not authorized by the person in
charge of the test; collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during at test;
knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting or soliciting in its entirety or in part, the
contents of a test or other assignment unauthorized for release; substituting for another student or
permitting another student to substitute for oneself.
Plagiarism: The appropriation, theft, purchase or use by any means of another person’s work
and unacknowledged submission or incorporation of that work as one’s own work offered for
credit. Appropriation includes quoting or purchasing another’s work without giving credit.
Collusion: Unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing work offered for credit.
Academic dishonesty and the detection of plagiarism would result in your failing the
course. TCU has the software Turn it in available to its faculty that allows them to detect
the research papers that are download from the internet or cut and paste from other
sources without attribution.
Your Oral Presentations would be based on Globalization: a Basic Text and your book
review would be on the book Free Fall.

Research Papers are due on Thursday, December 1st.

Instructions for the research paper, the book review and the final exam would be
given in class.
**** Final Exam: Thursday, December 15th, 11:30-2 p.m.****
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