Global Studies 101A
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL STUDIES
Wilfrid Laurier University
Fall, 2005
Dr. Jeff Grischow
Office: Woods 2-207B
e-mail: jgrischo@wlu.ca
Office Tel: Ext. 3347
Office Hours: Tues & Thurs 10-11am
Time: Monday, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Room: BA 201
Tutorials: as previously assigned
Before we get started...
A WORD ON SOUND AND ETIQUETTE in BA201
As you are no doubt observing, BA 201 is a rather large lecture hall. It might give the
impression that sound does not travel here, or that prolonged conversations with those sitting
beside you will not distract anyone, or that video games can be played if you’re sitting at the
back, or that you can host a tailgate party if you’re in the back third of the room, or that my
hearing is on the way out, or that everyone around you won’t mind, or ‘whatever.’
Please be advised that these distractions rarely go unnoticed. You also should not expect that
they will be tolerated in this course. Direct public attention will be drawn by me, or by one of my
assistants, to students who engage in distracting behaviour. If it persists for even a short time
thereafter, those students will be asked to leave, and their student ID may be requested of
them. There may be other consequences.
The bottom line: let’s create here an atmosphere of respectful listening and intellectual
engagement with each other and with me, the instructor.
Now... back to the course outline!
TUTORIAL INSTRUCTORS’ OFFICE HOURS
Office Hours for tutorial instructors will be posted on my door, and given to you in your first
tutorial. Please note that your tutorial instructors are co-instructors of this course. They will be
responsible for all of your grading. It would therefore be wise to get to know your tutorial
instructor, and to have that person get to know you. I will serve as your court of second appeal
for all aspects of this course. The GS 101 tutorial instructors will be hosting office hours of their
own. Students are urged to consult with them as they work on their major writing project as well
as study preparation, as they will have primary responsibility for determining your final grades.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION: SCOPE AND THEMES
The Calendar Description for GS101 is an ambitious one:
“An interdisciplinary introduction to the contemporary world that focuses on global issues,
challenges and concerns. The class considers the world as it is; the world as it came to be; and
the means by which it can become a better place for all. Special attention will be given to global
issues of comparative development, peace and conflict, and globalization and cultures.”
All of that, and in a single twelve week term! Such broad coverage means that we will focus on
big, thematic issues. We will address the important and necessary questions that will help us to
understand the nature of our ‘globalized’ world. My hope is that GS101 will inform and
challenge you, and perhaps play a role in shaping how you view the world and your place in it.
GS101 will focus on three Themes:
i) The globalized world as it presently exists. We are especially interested in
investigating what the word “globalization” means, how many meanings it might have
and what might become of it, in its various forms. We will consider both the strengths
and weaknesses of globalization
ii) How our present world came to be. We will ask why it is that some parts of the world
(Europe first, then North America) became as dominant as they did, when they did, over
the past five hundred years. We will assess the extent to which globalization has
occurred because of conscious decisions made by identifiable actors.
iii) Proposals to achieve a better future for all. We will consider some of the proposals
that have been offered to reform the global system, especially the role and possible
future(s) of the nation-state and the United Nations.
Within this framework, we will explore three particular perspectives on the modern world that
comprise the core of Global Studies:
(a) Economics and international development.
(b) War and the search for a sustainable and just peace
(c) Global cultures and globalization
** Students should note that these three perspectives provide a necessary foundation for
all upper year courses offered in Global Studies.**
Underneath these themes, we will think about the question of agency and global change. Can
global problems be addressed if enough individuals become convinced that something needs to
be done? If so, what might your role be in creating a better world for all? This is a tall order,
but the first step might simply be imagining what an alternate present and future might look like.
GS 101 will seek to provide the tools necessary for such a project of imagination.
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REQUIRED COURSE TEXTS (Available at the WLU Bookstore)
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Peter Singer, One World, 2nd edition
The GS 101 Course Reader
REQUIRED “VIRTUAL” TEXTS (websites)
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Edwin Locke, “On Flag Day Celebrate America’s Core Values,” found at
www.aynrand.org
Project Ploughshares. The Armed Conflicts Report, 2002, 2003, 2004
www.ploughshares.ca
UN Development Report, 2003 http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2003/ (Overview: The
Millennium Development Goals)
UN Development Report, 2004 http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2004/ (Overview:
Cultural Liberty in Today’s Diverse World)
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED COURSE TEXT (Available from the WLU Bookstore)
Susan M. Hubbuch, Writing Research Papers Across the Curriculum. 5th edition.
GRADE DISTRIBUTION
Tutorial Participation
Mid-Term Examination (17 Oct in class)
Written Assignment (due 14 Nov - start of class)
Final Examination
TOTAL
25%
15%
30%
30%
-----100%
LATE PENALTIES
Students are urged to begin work on their written assignment well in advance of the due-date.
Final essays which do not meet the assigned deadline can expect to be penalized by 2% per
day, including weekends. No essays will be accepted after December 5, 2005.
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ANTICIPATED CLASS SCHEDULE
Part I:
An Exploration of the world as it is, now
WEEK OF:
12 Sept
An Introduction to the course, and the world
Read: Singer, ch.1 (if available, yet, in the Bookstore)
Tutorial 1 (Sept.13-16): Globalization, the World as a Whole, and You
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19 Sept
How do you define ‘globalization’? What are its most important features?
How is globalization beneficial? How is it harmful?
What questions are you bringing to this course?
The State of the World (I): The Global Economy, Growth and Inequality
Read Bauman’s “Uses of Poverty”; and the “Overview” chapter of the 2003 UNDP
Human Development Report for 2003, found in
http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2003/
Film: Life and Debt
Tutorial 2 (Sept. 20-23): Globalization and Economics
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26 Sept
What questions does Life and Debt raise for you? What’s the problem,
and what’s the solution?
In what ways do you encounter the range of rich and poor within Canada?
In what ways are you able to avoid it?
What do you think about Z. Bauman’s thesis on “The Uses of Poverty”? Is
it fair to us? If so, what is the solution? If not, what is your response?
The State of the World (II): Peace and Conflict on the Global Stage
Read Ernie Regehr’s Introductions to the Armed Conflicts Reports of 2003 and
2004, at: http://www.ploughshares.ca
Films: Blackhawk Down and Cry Freetown
Tutorial 3 (Sept. 27-30): Globalization and Violence
Discuss your reactions to both Cry Freetown and the Hollywood movie excerpt
shown in class. What are each of these films trying to say?
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What issues do they raise for you about terror, violence, and war today?
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Do you think that our society is more or less inclined to be violent than
others? Why?
3 Oct
The State of the World (III): “Globalization and Culture(s)”
Read Lappé and Lappé; and Edwin Locke’s article, “On Flag Day”, found at
www.aynrand.org
Film: Amandla!
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Tutorial 4 (Oct. 4-7): Globalization and Cultures
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Discuss the different perspectives taken by Edwin Locke (the reading from
the Ayn Rand institute) and Lappé and Lappé (from the course reader). In
what ways do these two readings differ in their assessments of the
strengths and weaknesses of Western and non-Western cultures?
What is the point of Amandla, and what questions might it raise about the
music that we might be inclined to listen to?
10 Oct
Thanksgiving - no class
17 Oct
Multiple Choice Mid-Term in-class examination
Tutorial 5 (Oct. 18-21): Turning our attention to the Essay/Critical Review
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What are the top ten things to keep in mind when writing a comparative
analysis essay? (This tutorial will not be graded, but it is highly
recommended that you attend).
Part II:
An Exploration of the world now, as it came to be
24 Oct
Perspectives on the rise of the West
Read the Robbins article in the course reader; and Singer, ch. 2
Film: An interview with Adam Hochschild; a visit to the Belgian Congo
24 Oct
Tutorial 6 (Oct. 25-28): Singer’s One World, intro, preface, and ch. 1-2.
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31 Oct
What does Singer mean when he says we must move from internationalist
to globalist ethics?
Why does he believe that globalist ethics will be possible? Do you agree
with Singer? Why or why not?
What do you think of Singer’s “four principles of fairness” when it comes to
the environment?
Globalization and the end of the Cold War?
Read Singer ch. 3
Film: Burning Rivers
Tutorial 7 (Nov. 1-4): Peter Singer’s One World, chapter 3
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According to Singer, how can economic globalization be improved to meet
the needs of the poor? Do you agree with him? Disagree?
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Part III:
Global Problems and the Search for Solutions
7 Nov
Globalization and the theories and practices of development
Read Singer ch. 4
Films: African Market Women, Who’s Counting
Tutorial 8 (Nov. 8-11): Peter Singer’s One World, chapter 4
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14 Nov
According to Singer, who should decide the limits of what individual states
do within their borders, and beyond them?
Do you believe that the United Nations and/or an International Court
should have the power to control the domestic and foreign actions of
nation-states? Why or why not?
Moving from War to Peace in the 21st Century
Read Singer Ch. 5-6
Film: Nowhere to Hide
Tutorial 9 (Nov. 15-18): Peter Singer’s One World, chapters 5-6.
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Singer ends chapter five with an “ethical challenge”. What is it? What is
your assessment of it?
Are there other ethical challenges that come to mind for you?
Do you agree that global environmental and labour standards are
necessary and feasible?
** ESSAY DUE IN CLASS, 14 NOVEMBER **
21 Nov
Globalization and Culture
Read Barber’s “McWorld vs. Jihad”; and pages 1-5 of the introductory Overview
(“Cultural Liberty in Today’s Diverse World”) from the UN Development
Report for 2004 http://hdr.undp.org/reports/global/2004/
Tutorial 10 (Nov. 22-25): Barber’s own clash of civilizations; and the UN’s
cultural call.
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Assess the thesis raised by Barber in McWorld vs. Jihad? What
challenges does he raise for us as we face the future?
Is the discussion of the “five myths” in “Cultural Liberty in Today’s Diverse
World” a convincing defence of multiculturalism? How does this approach
differ from Barber’s?
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28 Nov
Globalization and Trade
Read Sennet’s article on “Drift”; and re-read Bauman on “The Uses of Poverty”.
Film: Global Village or Global Pillage; and Coffee with a Conscience
Tutorial 11 (Nov. 29-Dec. 2): Putting us into the picture.
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What is the “Drift” that Sennett wants to convince us of in the Course
Reader? What challenge does he present for Edwin Locke (from earlier in
the term)? Does Sennett provide a fair assessment of current trends, or
are there places where you think that he is unfair, or too negative?
Part IV: Wrap-up
5 Dec
Summing Up: Globalization and the Future?
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IMPORTANT NOTES ON TUTORIAL GRADING AND THE FINAL EXAM
TUTORIAL GRADING:
The tutorials are self-graded, but grades will be reviewed after each tutorial and changed if
necessary.
You may submit a page or two of notes (which must be typed), with your responses to the
tutorial questions listed in the syllabus, so as to demonstrate that you’ve given thought to the
tutorial topic in advance. These notes will be returned to you the following week.
Your final tutorial grade will consist of the average of the top 8 grades that you receive,
converted to a mark out of 25. One tutorial (week 5) is reserved for discussion of the essay, and
is not graded. Thus there are two ‘free’ weeks. It is suggested that you don’t use these free
weeks early on (if at all), since something unforseen may come up.
Self-evaluation criteria (out of 10):
0 – absent; 5 – attended tutorial; 5.5-7.4 – prepared notes OR participated in discussion; 6.5-8.4
– prepared notes AND participated in discussion
The TA may assign a grade above 8.4; the student him/herself may not do this.
Tutorial instructors reserve the right to discuss any written submissions with the students before
assigning a final grade.
Students who have a concern about their tutorial grade need to consult with their tutorial
instructor and/or with me before the last day of classes.
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THE FINAL EXAM:
It is anticipated that the main questions for the Final Exam will be drawn from this pool.
Students will be informed before the end of classes if this is not the case, or if these questions
will themselves be revised. In answering them, you’ll be expected to integrate a wide range of
course materials, including films, lectures and assigned readings from throughout the course.
1.
Globalization can be understood as a process of global cultural divergence. Identify
three aspects of this perspective, evaluate them critically, and then offer your own
understanding of this complex contemporary process. Is the world indeed becoming
more diverse in more places, or more the same everywhere?
2.
In various ways, the articles in the Course Reader have raised questions about the
manner in which we, in Canada, engage with the larger world. Begin this answer by first
summarizing the central arguments put forward by Z. Bauman, Richard Sennett, and
Benjamin Barber. What challenges do each of these authors present for us in a selfproclaimed era of globalization?
3.
There are at least two ways in which the process of globalization can be understood. By
the one, it is a process of global cultural convergence. Identify three aspects of this
perspective, evaluate them critically, and then offer your own understanding of this
complex contemporary process. Is the world indeed starting to converge in more places,
and if so, what do we do with Benjamin Barber’s thesis in the course reader?
4.
This course has argued that war in the modern age (from World War II onward) has
certain distinct characteristics. Briefly discuss, with specific reference to course materials,
three of the features that you consider to be the most important to the nature of war in
our time. In addition, discuss how we might move from bouts of war to a lasting peace
on the global stage.
5.
This course has argued that poverty in much of the so-called “Third World” has only
worsened since the end of the colonial era. What reasons did the course advance for
why the poor have remained poor, or worse? What new opportunities does the Fair
Trade movement present for us, and for millions who find themselves in a more
vulnerable situation? Is the Fair Trade movement only one of the ways that we can begin
to give our “attention” to the world, for the good of the whole?
6.
One of the themes that has been picked up in this course is that of “Human Needs
Centred Development”. Write an essay in which you briefly highlight the main aspects of
this model, and discuss how they differ from more traditional understandings of
“development.” Discuss, as well, how notions of compassion, attention, and empathy
might begin transforming our approach to crises happening “over there”.
Students will be informed about any changes to this listing on or before the last day of classes.
At that time, students will also be informed of the exact nature of the final exam.
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GS101 WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Due:
14 November 2005 at the beginning of class
Value: 30%
Choose one of Peter Singer’s main chapters in “One World” (chapters 2-5) and assess
the strengths and weaknesses of his argument. Your assessment must be 1,500-2,000
words long (excluding the title page, endnotes and bibliography), and it must incorporate
two other academic sources that challenge or expand upon Singer’s ideas.
Format:
Introduction (1-2 paragraphs): The introduction should clearly state your thesis (ie. your opinion
of Singer’s argument in the chapter you have chosen).
- Your introduction might start with statements like:
“This essay argues that....”
“It does so by making the following three points: first....; second....; and third....”
Body: The body of the essay should analyze and assess Singer’s argument and evidence, using
One World and your two additional sources. To help with your assessment, you might consider
asking yourself the following supplementary questions:
- What is Singer’s main argument?
- What evidence does he use to support his argument?
- How are your additional sources different from Singer? How are they similar?
- Is Singer’s evidence adequate and convincing? Why or why not?
- Are there alternative arguments, with good evidence, that challenge Singer’s opinions?
Conclusion (1-2 paragraphs): The conclusion should summarize your points, re-state your
thesis, and perhaps present a concluding reflection.
Title Page: Include a title page with your name and student number, the name of your TA, the
course title, the date, and the word count of the essay (excluding the title page, bibliography and
endnotes).
Endnotes: You must cite the works that you consult, and do so properly. Don’t make the reader
guess where your ideas have come from! As a general rule, all arguments and opinions from
your sources should be citied with endnotes. You should normally include 3 sources/citations
per page; though actual direct quotations should rarely be included. Summarize! Use your own
words! Provide page numbers with your citations (papers otherwise will not receive a grade).
Include your citations as endnotes.
The proper form for citations and bibliographies can be found in:
Susan M. Hubbuch, Writing Research Papers Across the Curriculum. 5th edition.
Acceptable Sources: Your two additional sources must be legitimate academic sources. They
can include books and articles, as well as films, novels and websites. Be very careful with
website sources. Many websites are not acceptable or reliable (eg. Encarta, Wikipedia, personal
homepages and blogs should not be used). Ask your TA if you are unsure about the legitimacy
of websites you have found. Your two additional sources cannot be sources already
assigned for this course.
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Plagiarism: Take seriously the University’s policy on plagiarism, including the plagiarism of webbased sources. Students are required to submit their written work in electronic form and have it
checked for plagiarism. Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism.
Turnitin.com: Students will be required to submit their written work in electronic form to
turnitin.com and have it checked for plagiarism. This MUST be done on or before the
essay’s due date. No grades will be recorded unless this is done.
Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier's Special Needs Office
for information regarding its services and resources. Students are encouraged to review the
Calendar for information regarding all services available on campus.
“After class call 886-FOOT for a walk or drive home - NO Walk is Too Short or Too
Long!!!”
**Please note: Last day to drop classes for Fall term without failure is 7 November 2005**
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