International Sociology:
Introduction
Sociology 2, Class 1
Copyright © 2008 by Evan Schofer
Do not copy or distribute without permission
Agenda
• Announcements
• Introductions
• Review syllabus and course requirements
• Plus: Things to know about this course
• Class begins…
• Begin to think about economic globalization
• Example
• Enabling globalization: states & markets.
Announcements
• NO sections this week!!!
• Sections do not begin until Week 2 of classes
• People with schedule conflicts due to sections
that changed rooms/times…
• Most likely, space will open up in another section
– If not, talk to me or a TA
• Add/Drop Cards
• If I previously agreed to sign one, see me after class
• Otherwise, wait until next week
– So we can check out available space in section rooms
– And, to be fair to people on wait list.
Introductions
• Instructor (me): Evan Schofer
• Associate Professor of Sociology
• PhD in Sociology from Stanford in 1999
– Research areas:
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Economic, political, and cultural globalization
Economic development
The global environmental movement
Civic participation around the world
Education systems around the world.
Introductions: TAs
– Laurie Neighbors
• Fri 8- 8:50 SST 238
• Th 8- 8:50 SSPA1165
• Th 9- 9:50 SST220A
– Karen Robinson
• Tues 1- 1:50, SST 238W
• 10-10:50 PSCB 220W
• 11-11:50 PSCB 240
– Elizabeth Sowers
• M 2- 2:50pm SSTR101
• M 3- 3:50pm SSL145
• M 4- 4:50pm SST238
Introductions: The Course
• Sociology 2: International Sociology
• Topics: The most important international
issues in the world today
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Economic globalization
Implications for countries, politics, inequality
International political dynamics
Theories of international relations & globalization
Cultural globalization
Culture and conflict in international context.
Syllabus: Course Logistics
• Key points on syllabus:
– Course website has links to readings & handouts
– Most course readings are available online
– Instructions & links on syllabus
• Upside: Low cost, easy access
• Downside: Your computer or net connection may fail
on the night before an exam
– Key issues for online readings:
• You NEED a library PIN
• Off campus access MAY require “VPN” software
– Syllabus has helpful info & links
– It’s up to you – we aren’t tech support!
Syllabus: Course Logistics
• Main course requirements
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Attend lectures
Attend sections
Complete section assignments
Complete readings
Take midterm & final exams
• My policies
• Respect
• Commitment to learning
• Professionalism
– Also, be aware of university policies.
Syllabus: Course Logistics
• Given the sheer number of students in the
class, we cannot accommodate all requests…
• Ex: “My sister is getting married on the day of the
midterm. Can I take it early?”
• Ex: “I didn’t do my section assignments… can you give
me make-up assignments so I can get credit?”
– We will do our best to accommodate you
whenever possible
• But, don’t be surprised (or take it personally) if we can’t
help you…
Things to Know About This Course
• 1. Lecture, section, and readings are ALL
critical for success in the class
• Not much redundancy in lectures, sections, readings
• Your job: Absorb it, pull it together yourself…
• 2. Readings reflect a variety of different
perspectives – requires thought, integration
• Instead of a single textbook, you get to read a variety of
different views on each topic
• This makes reading harder… you have to figure out the
perspective of the author, infer the context
Things to Know About This Course
• 3. The course emphasizes thinking and
understanding, more than memorization
• You have to memorize basic terms in order to
understand lectures & readings
• But, the goal is to develop independent thinking skills
• WHY?
• Answer: those are the skills that matter…
– Ex: Reading “The Untouchables” from week 3
• One goal of this class is to understand the subject
matter… another is to cultivate your thinking skills.
Economic Globalization
• The first section of class addresses economic
globalization…
• Let’s take a few minutes to start thinking about this
topic…
• Take 2 minutes to chat with neighbor… What is it?
What examples come to mind? Why is it happening?
Video Example: Globalization
• Let’s start thinking about globalization!
• Humorous example from “The Onion”... Outsourcing!
• http://www.theonion.com/content/video/report_many_u_s_parents
The Onion: “Outsourcing” Video
• Why is the video funny?
– What does it say about the possibilities & limits of
the global economy?
• Short discussion.
The Onion: “Outsourcing” Video
• Some observations:
– 1. Outsourcing/offshoring depends on
transportation technologies
• Some labor can be offshored… but not childcare!
• If people could instantly transport across the world, this
could be a reality
– 2. The video also serves as a reminder that
globalization changes our social lives
• Globalization permits new social arrangements…
• Some are very exciting… others may be threatening or
dehumanizing
• Either way, globalization changes the way we live!
States and Markets
• First section of class is entitled “States &
Markets”
NO, NO, NO!!!
Intro: States and Markets
• States and markets mean:
States and Markets
• Definition:
• State: The central government of a country
• Markets: Systems that facilitate the
exchange of goods and services
• We begin with “states & markets” Why?
– Answer: The path of economic globalization
depends on how governments control (or do not
control) markets
• We delve into history to understand how globalization
arose and how the global economy works.
States and Markets
• Reading (& Video):
• Yergin, Daniel and Joseph Stanislaw.
1999. “Commanding Heights: The Battle Between
Government and the Marketplace that is Remaking the
Modern World.”
• Is the title a bit over-dramatic?
• No! Many of the biggest conflicts of the last century
center on this issue
– Ex: Cold war: Communism vs. Capitalism
– Ex: Democrats vs. Republicans in the US.
States and Markets
• Issue: How much should states control (i.e.,
“regulate”) markets?
– Markets generally require some state control to
flourish
– Uncontrolled markets can be unstable, leading to crashes
– And, unregulated markets produce adverse side-effects (e.g.,
environmental destruction)
– But, heavy regulation can dampen the ability of
markets to produce incentives & wealth
• Often, businesses can make more $ if regulation is kept
to a minimum.
• So, there is a tension between proponents of more or
less regulation…
States and Markets Example
• In the news: The “Credit Crisis”
• Background: The US generally doesn’t
regulate its markets very much
• In particular, many kinds of banking are loosely
regulated…
– Result #1: Big profits, much new wealth created!
– Many people got cheap home mortgages
– Companies got rich
– Result #2: Big disasters
– Bear Stearns (a big company) goes bankrupt
– Financial markets in turmoil
– Lots of people losing their homes…
Upcoming Schedule
• Readings:
• 2 Newspaper articles on the credit crisis
• Some background on “The Fed”, an important player in
the management of the US economy
• An introduction to “Commanding Heights”
• Thursday: “Commanding Heights” video and
discussion
• Next week: More Commanding Heights and
lecture on states & markets
• After that, shift gears to economic globalization…