Fall 2012
INTL 6105 – Global Issues
Wednesday, 6:00 – 9:00
Brewster D-210
Instructor:
Dr. Jeff Popke
Office: Brewster A-222
Office Hours: M & W 8-11, or by appointment
Phone: 328-6087
e-mail:
Course Description:
It is widely asserted that we are living in an era characterized by ‘globalization’, usually taken to mean increasing connections and interactions among the world’s economies, societies and cultures. It is far from clear, however, exactly what this entails, or whether this should be cause for celebration or concern. In this course, we will take a detailed look at the evolution, structure and dynamicsof the political, economic and cultural changes that underlie contemporary processes of globalization. In doing so, we will also become familiar with various theoretical perspectives used to study global issues, and examine contemporary debates about the relative merits of globalization.
The course is divided into four parts.
• In Part I, we will examine the historical foundations of the present world system, including the legacies of colonialism, and thedevelopment of the post-War Bretton Woods system for regulating the global economy. We will consider the extent to which contemporary global interactions represent something new and different, or merely a continuation of past trends.
• Part IIwill examine the dynamics of contemporary globalization, from production and trade to financial flows and international labor migration. Our goal will be to gain a solid empirical knowledge of the geography of the world economy, and the key actors and institutions that structure and regulate it.
• The Third part of the course will consider some of the theoretical approaches through which the global political economy has been approached and understood. We will critically examine the assumptions and implications of several major theoretical paradigms, and consider the role of theory in making sense of global change.
• In the final section of the course, we will turn our attention to the growing number of social movements that are challenging, resisting, and proposing alternatives to contemporary forms of global integration. In doing so, we will draw upon specific case studies to highlight what is at stake in debates about the trajectory of globalization.
Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes:
Global Issues is a part of the core in the MA in International Studies. The course has threeinterrelated objectives. First, students will gain a solid empirical grounding in the history and contemporary dynamics of key global systems and institutions, as well as the major theories used to study such systems. MAIS students will be expected to demonstrate this knowledge as part of their program’s comprehensive exams. Second, through careful reflection on contemporary issues and debates around the issue of globalization, students will be gain an appreciation for the diversity of perspectives and worldviews that can be brought to bear on issues of global concern. And third, students will cultivate skills of critical thinking, contextualization, evaluation, and clear and effective writing, all of which are essential for engaging productively in a globalizing world.
Students completing this course will be able to:
* Describe the historical development of the global political economy, from 1500 to the present.
* Identify the important empirical features of, and contemporary changes in, the global political economy.
* Explain the important theoretical traditions for interpreting international relations.
* Assess, and put into context, arguments regarding the nature of contemporary globalization.
* Evaluate ideas and proposals for reform of international political and economic institutions.
* Review, summarize and integrate a wide range of literature and commentary on the subject of globalization.
* Investigate an issue of global, develop an argument or position, and convey it through the use of clear and effective writing.
Required Text:
O’Brien, Robert and Williams, Marc.Global Political Economy: Evolution and Dynamics, 3nd Edition. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 978-0-230-24121-3
Additional readings will be made available at the course Blackboard site.
Structure and Format:
Although I will occasionally present introductory or overview material, this course is designed as a graduate seminar. Each meeting will consist primarily of an open class discussion of assigned readings.
Each participanthas a responsibility to complete all assigned readings prior to class, and to come prepared to make an active contribution to the discussion. It is expected that each seminar participant will work to foster an atmosphere of intellectual exchange, collegiality and mutual respect, and to encourage as many voices as possible to join the conversation.
Course Requirements:
Weekly Discussion Notes:30%Research Paper:30%
Midterm Essay:25%Class Participation:15%
Grading Scale
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
Below 60 = F
Discussion Notes
For each seminar meeting, you are expected to prepare and hand in discussion notes (3-4 pages in length, typed) providing a summary and analysis of the week’s readings. Your notes should accomplish two different tasks (weighted roughly the same):
Article Summaries: a brief description of the main point(s) or argument(s) for each of the week’s readings.
Critical Reaction: an analysis and response to the material presented this week. This should be more than arote summary; provide some insight, comparison, critical analysis and opinion about the readings. Think about how the readings related to one another, and what this might say about the broader issues that we will be discussing this week.
There is no set format for discussion notes, as long as the two tasks are addressed. You may write your summaries and reactions as separate sections, or combine them. You may write your response in the form of ‘notes’, or you are welcome to combine your observations into an essay. Choose a format that will be most helpful to you in making sense of the material.
Grading of Discussion Notes will be roughly as follows (out of 10 possible points):
* Insightful discussion with a high degree of critical analysis: 10
* Thorough summaries with some opinion/analysis: 9.5
* Clear, competent summaries: 9
* Brief, superficial or incomplete: 8.5 or lower
You are required to turn in a minimum of 9 sets of discussion notes by the end of the semester. You may turn in more than this, in which case I will count the 9 highest scores toward your course grade.
Midterm Essay
Students will be required to complete a take-home essay assignment (6-8 pages in length). The essay question will be based upon course readings and discussion, and will require that you synthesize and critically evaluate material from the first half of the course.
Research Paper
The final requirement will be a research paper (approximately 15 pages in length) on a topic of interest related to the course material. The paper will be developed in stages, and is due on Monday, December 10.
Class Participation
All students are expected to actively participate in weekly seminar discussions. Each student will be assigned a class participation grade, reflecting the frequency and quality of their contributions. Because much of the knowledge and understanding gained in this seminar will emerge during the course of our class discussions, missed classes will negatively impact the assessment of participation. Students missing more than one seminar meeting should not expect to receive a high participation grade.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental value of higher education and East Carolina University. Acts of cheating, plagiarism or falsification will not be tolerated. You should familiarize yourself with actions that constitute academic dishonesty. In the context of this seminar, it means, among other things, that you must always provide a citation when you use another author’s ideas; you must always use quotation marks and provide a specific reference when quoting text verbatim; and you should never cut-and-paste from a text or web site without attribution.
Should I determine that an academic integrity violation has taken place, I reserve the right either to assign a grade penalty (up to an F) or to refer the case to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for an Academic Integrity Board hearing. Should it come to my attention that you have had a prior academic integrity violation, or if there are other aggravating circumstances, I will refer the case directly to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Should the Academic Integrity Board determine that you committed an academic integrity violation, you may be assigned a grade penalty and/or any other sanction allowed in the student Code of Conduct, up to and including suspension from the University. The Student Handbook is online at
Special Needs
East Carolina University seeks to fully comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students requesting accommodations based on a covered disability must go to Disability Support Services, located in Slay 138, to verify the disability before any accommodations can occur. The telephone number is 252-737-1016.
Course Schedule and Outline
PART I: FOUNDATIONS OF GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
Week 18/29Introduction: Globalization in Question
Week 29/5Historical Foundations I: The Long View of Globalization
Week 39/12Historical Foundations II: The Post-1945 Order
Week 49/19The North and the South: Theories of Development
PART II: CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS OF THE GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
Week 59/26Global Production and Trade
Week 610/3The International Financial System
Week 710/10Labor, Migration and Citizenship
10/17No seminar meeting - Midterm Essay Due, 5 pm
PART III: THEORIZING THE GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
Week 810/24Classical Approaches: Realism, Liberalism and Marxism
Paper Topic Due
Week 910/31Critical Approaches: Feminism and Postmodernism
PART IV: EMERGING DEBATES AND ALTERNATIVES
Week 1011/7Globalization and the Environment
Week 1111/14‘Anti-Globalization’ Movements
11/16 (Friday) Paper Outline and Annotated Bibliography Due
11/21No seminar meeting – Thanksgiving Break
Week 1211/28Alternative Visions and Proposals
12/3 (Monday) Last day to submit draft for feedback
12/10 (Monday) Research Paper Due, 5pm
Week 1312/12Wrap-up: Globalization and Ethics