GLOBALIZATION (POL 4353 )
Dr. Jonathan Culp
Spring 2010
T/TH 2:00-3:20 PM
Braniff 332
To contact professor:
Office: Braniff 216
jonathanfculp@yahoo.com
Office phone: 972.265.5739; cell: 617.548.4693
Office Hours: MWF 10-11, and by appointment
GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
Bring this syllabus with you to every class.
A. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Over the last two decades, “globalization” has become a fashionable and controversial topic, but
what is globalization? In this course, we will attempt to come to understanding of some of the
fundamental political, economic, and cultural aspects of globalization. We will attempt to trace
the causes and effects of the processes that go under the name “globalization,” and we will
evaluate alternative responses to these trends. All of this will be done through assigned readings,
classroom discussion, structured debate, and paper writing. By the end of the course, you should
be able to form independent judgments concerning what globalization is, what is causing it,
where it is headed, and what should be done about it.
B. ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE
The course is divided into four parts.
I. WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION? CONTROVERSY AND EXPLANATION
In this part of the course, we will get an overview of the topic of globalization. We will
about the hopes and fears that globalization cause. We will look at proposed definitions
of globalization, its history, and competing attempts to explain how/why it works
II. ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION
Next, we will look in more detail at the economic aspects of globalization: the rise of the
global market and multinational corporations, the relation between the developed and the
developing world, and the environmental effects of development and world capitalism.
We will analyze competing views of how problems of global trade and inequality should
be responded to.
III. POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION
After economics, we will turn to politics. We will examine the nature of the democratic
state and the question whether globalization is causing the increasing irrelevance of the
nation-state and the increasing need for global governmental institutions. We will look at
political problems caused by globalization, and we will evaluate alternative accounts of
how globalization should be dealt with politically.
IV. CULTURE AND COSMOPOLITANISM
In the brief concluding part of the course, we will read Kwame Anthony Appiah’s book,
Cosmopolitanism, a thoughtful attempt to explain how moral disagreement should be dealt
with in a culturally diverse, globalized world.
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C. COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This course has eight overall learning objectives. By the end of it, you should:
1. be able to provide a definition of globalization and its most important aspects
2. be able to articulate the key controversies surrounding globalization—its nature, causes,
and consequences
3. know the basic trends and facts that lead observers to conclude that there now exists a
truly “global” economy, and you should know the purposes and functions of key
international economic institutions (the WTO, IMF, and World Bank)
4. be able to articulate the debates between the “free trade” and “fair trade” camps over the
future course of the global economy, and be able to come to your own judgment on the
matter
5. understand the traditional concept of state sovereignty, its relation to liberal democracy
6. know the trends that appear to be undermining state sovereignty, as well as key
international political institutions (such as the UN)
7. be able to articulate the most important alternative political responses to the globalization
(how much, if at all, should political power be shifted to global political institutions? can
democracy be globalized?), and you should be able to come to your own judgment on the
matter
8. to come to a reasoned conclusion regarding the proper place (if any place at all) for
appeal to universal, objective moral values in a world where particular cultures are
increasingly affected by the processes of globalization
The rest of the syllabus is divided into eleven sections:
I. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPLANATIONS .........................................................p. 3
II. REQUIRED TEXTS ..............................................................................................................p. 5
III. HOW TO CONTACT THE PROFESSOR............................................................................p. 6
IV. ATTENDANCE POLICY .....................................................................................................p. 6
V. POLICY ON MAKE-UP EXAMS AND LATE PAPERS.....................................................p. 6
VI. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY .......................................................................................p. 7
VII. CLASSROOM CODE OF CONDUCT ...............................................................................p. 7
VIII. PAPER PROMPT ...............................................................................................................p. 8
IX. COURSE READING SCHEDULE .......................................................................................p. 9
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I. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPLANATIONS
1. Attendance and Participation .........10%
2. “What is Globalization?” Test ........10%
3. Classroom Debate ............................30%
4. Test #2 ...............................................15%
5. Paper .................................................15%
6. Final Exam........................................20%
1. Attendance and Participation
Attendance is mandatory (see section IV of this syllabus). Since globalization is a controversial
topic, it is my hope that there will be plenty of lively discussion in class. You should come to
each class with questions about the readings, and you should be able to state their main
arguments and argue your own position.
For classes with long or multiple readings (or both), I will often assign particular parts of the
readings to different students (or groups of student). You will be expected to be able to tell the
class the argument and reasoning of that reading. (You must still do all the assigned reading for
that section, of course.)
I will create at least one discussion board on Blackboard, where you can post questions,
comments, opinions, etc. (so long as they are polite). Postings on Blackboard will count toward
your participation grade.
2. “What is Globalization?” Test (Feb 11th)
At the end of the first major part of the course, there will be a test to assess your grasp your
comprehension of the material.
The test will be graded on a conventional 100 point scale. For further grading criteria, see
“Paper Grading Criteria,” posted on Blackboard under “Course Documents.” The material in the
test will be drawn from the material covered in class. I will announce the format of the test in
the class session before the test. You can expect the test to contain at least one essay-length
question and several short answer questions.
3. Classroom Debate (March 25th and April 22nd)
There will be two in-class debates: March 25th and April 22nd. Two teams of 4-5 students will
argue the pro and con side of a proposition regarding how to deal with globalization. Each
member of the class will be a participant in one side of one debate. For further details, see the
handout on debate topics and procedures.
Your overall grade will depend on two things: the quality of your team’s “Brief” (which will be
jointly composed by the entire team), and the quality of your own participation in the debate
itself. Each of these factors will be determined according to a standard 100 point scale, and each
will be worth 50% of the overall grade you receive for this assignment.
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Debate participants do not have to take the test for that part of the class (either Part II or III) and,
hence, do not have to attend class that day.
4. Test #2 (either March 23rd or April 20th)
Which “Test #2” you take depends on which debate you participate in. Half the class will
participate in each debate. The other half of the class, along with being the audience for the
debate, will take a test on the material read for that part of the class (Parts II and III). This test
will be given the class session before the debate (March 23rd and April 20th).
The test will be graded on a conventional 100 point scale. The material in the test will be drawn
from the material covered in class. I will announce the format of the test in the class session
before the test. Generally, you can expect each test to consist of at least one essay-length
question and several short answer questions.
5. Paper (due May 6th)
You will be expected to write one 5-6 page paper. For the prompt, see section VIII below. For
writing advice, and information on how the paper will be graded, see “General Writing Advice”
and “Paper Assessment Criteria,” posted on Blackboard under “Course Documents.” The
purpose of the paper (as well as the final exam) is to assess your ability to synthesize the material
covered over the entire class. Hence, responding to the prompt will require you to draw from
assigned readings from throughout the class.
6. Final Exam (place, date, and time TBA)
The final will cover the material for the entire course. Its purpose is to assess your overall “big
picture” understanding of globalization.
The test will be graded on a conventional 100 point scale. You can expect the final to have two
essay-length and other short answer questions. I will announce the precise format of the test in
our final class meeting (May 6th).
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II. REQUIRED TEXTS
The following books can be purchased in the University bookstore. You can also find used
copies from online booksellers such as Amazon.com. If you buy the book online or from another
bookseller, be sure to buy the correct edition. To that end, I have included the 13-digit ISBN
number for each book. Each book has a unique ISBN.
1. Appiah, Kwame Anthony. Cosmopolitanism. Norton, 2007. ISBN: 9780393329339
2. Bhagwati, Jagdish. In Defense of Globalization. Oxford, 2007. ISBN: 9780195330939
3. Friedman, Thomas. The World Is Flat 3.0, Picador, 2007, 9780312425074
4. Lechner, Frank and John Boli, eds. Globalization Reader, 3rd ed., Blackwell, 2008,
9781405155533
5. Plattner, Marc. Democracy Without Borders?, Rowman Littlefield, 2007, 9780742559264
6. Singer, Peter. One World, 2nd ed., Yale Univ. Press, 2004, 978-0300103052
7. Steger, Manfred. Globalization: A Very Short Introduction, 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford Univ.
Press, 2009. 9780199552269
In addition to these books, the following required readings can be found on Blackboard:
1. Benedict XVI. Caritas in Veritate. 2009. PDF downloaded Jan 5, 2010 from
http://www.askacatholic.com/_Resources/document_directory/POPE_BENEDICT_XVI_
Caritas-In-Veritate.pdf
2. Held, David and Anthony McGrew. Globalization/Anti-Globalization: Beyond the Great
Divide. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2008. Chapters 11-12, pp. 206-36.
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III. HOW TO CONTACT THE PROFESSOR
At the top of this syllabus I have put my office location, email, office phone number, cell phone
number, and office hours.
I prefer to be contacted by email. I do not check email after 7 PM each night, so if you have a
question or concern about the next day’s class, contact me before then. If the matter is urgent,
call my cell phone—but please do not call before 9 AM or after 7 PM.
I hold regular office hours. I encourage you to come to my office if you have any questions or
concerns that are not addressed in class. If your schedule conflicts with these office hours,
contact me by email to make an appointment for another time.
IV. ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students are expected to attend every class and to show up on time. After three tardies, each
subsequent tardy will count as an absence.
Once a student has missed his or her fourth class hour, regardless of the reason, the Registrar will
be notified and a warning will be sent to the student. Upon missing the fifth class hour, the
student is subject to being automatically withdrawn from the course by the instructor. According
to University policy, students dropped in the first 10 weeks of the semester will receive a grade
of “W”; students dropped after the 10th week will receive a grade of “FA” (failure due to
absences).
Note: I do not distinguish between “excused” and “unexcused” absences. Both count as
absences, so there is no need to submit written or oral excuses for missing class. Absences for
University-sanctioned events such as sporting competitions or extra-curricular activities count
the same as absences for any other reason. If such events will require you to miss multiple
classes this semester, you should register for a different course
V. POLICY ON MAKE-UP EXAMS AND LATE PAPERS
Students who miss scheduled examinations due to illness or family emergency will be allowed to
reschedule without penalty. If you miss an examination for any other reason, you will have to
contact me. It is important that you contact me ahead of time (if possible), or as soon as possible
after the missed examination. At my discretion, you will be allowed to retake the exam, though
the grade will be lowered. The extent of the late penalty depends on my estimate of how
compelling your reason for missing the exam is.
I will accept your final paper up to one week late (May 13th), but it will be docked 5 points for
each day late. So, if you wish to get anything above a C, don’t be more than a few days late.
Again, there is an exception for illness or family emergency, which must be documented.
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VI. ACADEMIC HONESTY
For purposes of this class, “cheating” consists in any attempt to hand in as your own work done
by your fellow students, or in bringing in and using notes or class readings when taking an
examination. If I catch you cheating, you will be immediately dismissed from class and will be
subject to disciplinary action as described in the “Academic Honesty” section of the University
Bulletin.
“Plagiarism” consists in the attempt to claim as your own ideas or arguments that originate in the
speeches or writings of others. As the Bulletin says, “Plagiarism is not mitigated by a paraphrase
or even by an extensive rewriting of another’s work. Whenever ideas or words are borrowed, the
student must give credit by citing the source. The same principle of honesty applies to the use of
modern technologies like the computer—sources of information must be accurately credited.”
Please consult the University Bulletin for the University of Dallas’s policy on dealing with
suspected or documented plagiarism. I will adhere to it rigorously.
VII. THE CLASSROOM CODE OF CONDUCT
No student should be denied the right to learn because of disruptive, disrespectful or rude
behavior in the classroom, as specified below:
1. Do not come and go from the classroom. Use the facilities before class.
2. Students must not engage in conduct that endangers others or is considered disorderly,
lewd or indecent
3. Students must speak in a way that is courteous and respectful to both professor and other
students
4. Students must be attentive and focused. No sleeping, passing notes, side conversation,
etc.
5. Do not come to class in your pajamas.
6. Use of laptops in class is not permitted, unless required for a documented learning
disability. Consult the University Bulletin for the procedure for acquiring documentation
of a learning disability.
7. Electronics policy: Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices must be turned-off
before entering the classroom (unless authorized by ADA requirements). If there are
extenuating circumstances, the student must request permission from the professor and
with permission leave the device on vibrate/silent mode.
For how I will deal with violations of the code of conduct, consult the policies in the “Classroom
Code of Conduct” section of the University Bulletin.
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VIII. PAPER PROMPT
Write a 5-6 page paper (double-spaced, 12 pt. font) on the following:
What is globalization? What are the greatest threats posed by globalization? What are the
greatest opportunities? How should humanity anticipate or respond to these threats and
opportunities?
The purpose of this paper is to get you to think about the “big picture” concerning globalization.
You should focus only on what you think are the most important threats and opportunities.
You must draw from at least five (5) of the assigned texts in the essay, and you must cite these
sources properly (including bibliographic information either in footnotes or on a works cited
page). You may follow any citation method you wish, so long as you are consistent.
Since you must draw from a range of class materials, you should begin early making notes for
the paper. I would suggest that, when you do each reading, you should jot down anything in it
you think could be relevant to the paper (and include a page number so you can find it in the
future). If you keep these notes together, then, when it comes time to draft the paper, you will
already have your “brainstorming.” Then, you just need choose what you think is most
important, collect your citations, and you’re ready to make an outline.
See section V for the policy on late papers.
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IX. COURSE READING SCHEDULE
Please note that readings are listed for every day of the class. For each class, read the materials
listed under each class date, and review the reading for the previous class.
General Advice for Studying
You will not be able to understand the lectures unless you do the reading for that day’s lecture,
so always read beforehand. You should plan to spend about 6 hours a week (or 3 hours per
class) in preparation for the class.
Since some of the readings are long, you will need to learn how to read for the main point. It is
always helpful to mark up your assigned readings, using stars, underlining, or arrows to indicate
important passages. It is also helpful to write comments and questions in the margins. This will
help you cut through the details.
When studying and especially when reviewing for tests, try to form a study group with fellow
students. I have found that students who study in groups almost always get better grades than
those who study alone.
Reading Schedule
Class 1
Jan 19
Introductory Lecture
I. WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION? CONTROVERSY AND EXPLANATION
Class 2
Jan 21
Introducing Globalization
1. Steger, Globalization, chs. 1-2, pp. 1-37
2. Singer, One World, ch. 1, pp. 1-13
3. Friedman, The World is Flat, ch. 1, pp. 1-50 (you can skim pp.
12-50, just make sure you remember a few of his examples)
Class 3
Jan 26
Overview of the Globalization Controversy
Lechner and Boli, Globalization Reader, Part I, pp. 9-47
 read the study questions on p. 47 first, then read each
chapter with answering those questions in mind
Class 4
Jan 28
Anti-Globalization
1. Steger, Globalization, ch. 7, pp. 98-121 (Optional: read entire
chapter)
2. Bhagwati, In Defense of Globalization, chs. 1-2, pp. 3-31, skim
ch. 4, pp. 36-48
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Class 5
Feb 2
Perspectives on Explaining Globalization
1. Lechner and Boli, Globalization Reader, Introduction to Part II,
pp. 51-54
2. Wallerstein, “The Modern World-System as a Capitalist World3. Economy,” Lechner and Boli, pp. 55-61
4. Sklair, “Sociology of the Global System,” Lechner and Boli, pp.
62-69 (skim)
5. Keohane and Nye, “Realism and Complex Interdependence,”
Lechner and Boli, pp. 70-77
6. Meyer, et al. “World Society and the Nation-State,” Lechner and
Boli, pp. 78-86
7. Robertson, “Globalization as a Problem, “Lechner and Boli, pp.
87-94 (skim)
 read the study questions on p. 116 first, then read each
chapter with answering those questions in mind
Class 6
Feb 4
The Flattened World (1)
Friedman, The World is Flat, chs. 2, pp. 51-136
That looks like a lot of reading, but Friedman can be read very
quickly.
Class 7
Feb 9
The Flattened World (2)
Friedman, The World is Flat, chs. 2-3, pp. 137-232
Class 8
Feb 11
THE “WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION?” TEST
II. ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION
Class 9
Feb 16
Globalization and the Economy: Overview
1. Steger, Globalization, ch. 3, pp. 38-57
2. Lechner and Boli, Globalization Reader, Introduction to Part IV,
pp. 159-62
3. Korzeniewicz, “Commodity Chains and Marketing Strategies,”
in Lechner and Boli, pp. 163-72
4. Gereffi, “The Global Economy: Organization, Governance, and
Development,” in Lechner and Boli, pp. 173-82
 for Korzeniewicz and Gereffi, consult the study questions in
Lechner and Boli, p. 216
Class 10
Feb 18
Global Inequality: Getting Better or Worse?
1. Wolf, “Incensed About Inequality,” in Lechner and Boli,
Globalization Reader, pp. 183-89
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2. Wade, “Is Globalization Reducing Poverty and Inequality?” in
Lechner and Boli, pp. 190-96
 for Wolf and Wade, consult the study questions in Lechner
and Boli, p. 216
3. Bhagwati, In Defense of Globalization, chs. 5-7, 10, pp. 51-91,
122-34
Optional: Stiglitz, “Globalism’s Discontents,” in Lechner and Boli,
pp. 208-215
Class 11
Feb 23
Multinational Corporations: Good Guys or Bad?
1. Robinson, “Beyond Good Intentions: Corporate Citizenship for a
New Century,” in Lechner and Boli, Globalization Reader, pp. 197201
2. Henderson, “The Case against ‘Corporate Social Responsbility’,”
in Lechner and Boli, pp. 202-07
 for Robinson and Henderson, consult the study questions in
Lechner and Boli on p. 216
3. Bhagwati, In Defense of Globalization, ch. 12, pp. 162-95
Class 12
Feb 25
The Environment: Is Globalization Exacerbating Climate Change?
1. Steger, Globalization, ch. 6, pp. 84-97
2. Singer, One World, ch. 2, pp. 14-50
3. Bhagwati, In Defense of Globalization, ch. 11, pp. 135-61
Class 13
March 2
Bhagwati’s Prescriptions
Bhagwati, In Defense of Globalization, Part IV, pp. 221-62
Class 14
March 4
Caritas in Veritate: The Catholic Perspective
Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, all (you can skim ch. 1).
Posted on Blackboard under “Course Documents.”
SPRING BREAK, MARCH 8-12
Class 15
March 16
Singer’s Prescriptions for Dealing with Trade and Inequality
Singer, One World, ch. 3, pp. 51-105
Class 16
March 18
Singer’s Prescriptions for Dealing with Trade and Inequality (2)
Singer, One World, ch. 5, pp. 150-95
Class 17
March 23
ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION TEST
Class 18
March 25
DEBATE ONE
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III. POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION
Class 19
March 30
Liberal Democracy
Plattner, Democracy without Borders?, chs. 3-6, pp. 37-86
Class 20
April 1
Globalization and the Nation-State (1)
1. Steger, Globalization, ch. 4, pp. 58-70
2. Lechner and Boli, Globalization Reader, Part V, pp. 217-56
 read the study questions on p. 256 first, and read the
chapters with answering them in mind
Optional: Bhagwati, In Defense of Globalization, ch. 8, pp. 92-105
Class 21
April 6
Prescriptions (1): Dealing with the “Unflat World”
Friedman, The World is Flat, chs. 15-16, pp. 533-604
Class 22
April 8
Prescriptions (2): Human Rights and International Intervention
Singer, One World, ch. 4, pp. 106-49
Class 23
April 13
Prescriptions (3): Cosmopolitan Social Democracy
Steger, Globalization, ch. 8, pp. 129-35
Held and McGrew, Globalization/Anti-Globalization, chs. 2, 11-12.
Posted on Blackboard.
Class 24
April 15
Continuing Need for the Nation-State
Plattner, Democracy without Borders?, chs. 7-9, pp. 87-130
Class 25
April 20
POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION TEST
Class 26
April 22
DEBATE TWO
IV. CULTURE AND COSMOPOLITANISM
Class 27
April 27
Cosmopolitanism (1)
Appiah, Cosmopolitanism, Introduction and chs. 1-3, pp. xi-xxi, 144
Class 28
April 29
Cosmopolitanism (2)
Appiah, Cosmopolitanism, chs. 4-7, pp. 45-113
Class 29
May 4
Cosmopolitanism (3)
Appiah, Cosmopolitanism, chs. 8-10, pp. 115-74
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Class 30
May 6
PAPER DUE
Review and Conclusion
No assigned reading.
PLACE, TIME, AND DATE OF FINAL EXAM TO BE ANNOUNCED
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