Sociology 2: International Sociology
Winter 2012,
Course #69050
Time/Place: |
Tuesday and Thursday 2:00-3:20pm, PCB 1100 |
Class Web Page: |
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Online |
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Instructor: |
Evan Schofer |
Office: |
SSPB 4271 |
Office Hours |
Tuesday 12:00-1:00pm & by appointment |
Office Phone: |
(949) 824-1397 |
Email: |
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TAs: |
Drew Duncan |
Matt Pearce |
Email: |
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Office Hours: |
Thursday 11-12 & by appt. |
Tuesday 1-2pm & by appt. |
Office: |
SST 619 |
SST 695 |
Sections: |
M 10:00- 10:50 SE2 1306
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Th 1:00- 1:50p ICF 102 |
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M 5:00- 5:50p SST 238 |
Th 12:00-12:50p SSTR 101 |
TAs: |
Mike Landis |
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Email: |
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Office Hours: |
Tuesday 12-1 & by appt |
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Office: |
SST 675 |
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Sections: |
Tu 11:00-11:50 SSTR 101 |
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M 9:00- 9:50 SE2 1306 |
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Introduction
This course explores international political, economic, cultural, and social changes that are currently transforming our world on a global scale, as well as theoretical ideas and research from sociology and related fields to help us make sense of them. Countries are increasingly interconnected by flows of information, trade, money, immigrants, technology, and culture. Trans-national corporations and political organizations (e.g., the United Nations) have grown in size and influence, as have the organized social movements that lobby or oppose them. The goal of the course is clarify what globalization is and how it is affecting societies around the world. Some issues we’ll examine: How does global trade affect jobs and the economy? What causes international financial crises, and can they be avoided? How does the spread of political ideologies affect politics in the countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America? How do international social movements and protesters affect government policies in different societies? Does globalization increase or reduce the potential for international conflict and terrorism?
Readings & Media
Reading assignments are listed below. Readings marked by an asterisk (*) are OPTIONAL for those who are interested in greater understanding of the course material. Readings should ideally be completed by the first class meeting on the week indicated. Lectures and sections will make more sense if you’ve done the readings!
Required Online
Online readings can be accessed via the UCI webfiles system. A UCINET id is required for webfiles access. You must also “register” for webfiles access by clicking on the following link: http://webfiles.uci.edu
Once you have registered for webfiles
access, you can access the readings here:
http://webfiles.uci.edu/schofer/classes/2012soc2/readings
Most readings are in .pdf format. A few readings are in “doc” format (Microsoft Word) or can be accessed on the web in html format. A pdf reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free. http://get.adobe.com/reader/
WARNING: We all know that computers can crash and networks can fail. And, the webfiles system is occasionally slow or unavailable. Therefore, you must be responsible and plan ahead. I suggest you download all the readings at the start of the quarter and keep a spare copy on a USB drive. That way you’ll have a copy even if the webfiles system is down or your computer dies. Excuses such as “my computer crashed” or “the network was down” will not garner sympathy on the day of the midterm or final, given that you that you had ample opportunity to access (and download or print) the course readings at any time during the quarter.
Supplemental Readings/Handouts. I may assign additional required readings – such as topical newspaper articles – by providing either a web link or a hard copy during class.
Required Video
Material:
The course will be utilizing video material from various
documentaries, including the PBS series “
Assignments and Evaluation
Midterm Exam. There
will be one closed-book midterm exam that will cover course material from
lectures and readings. (45% of final
grade)
Midterm Exam: Tuesday February 14, in class (2:00-3:20)
Final Exam. There
will be a closed-book final exam that will cover course material from lectures
and readings. The final exam will encompass
material from the entire course but with more emphasis on material discussed
after the midterm. (45% of final grade)
Final Exam Time:
Thu, Mar 22,
1:30-3:30pm
NOTE: Due to prior incidents of academic dishonesty, I will not offer alternative midterms or finals for those who cannot attend regularly-scheduled exams. If you cannot attend the scheduled midterm and final I suggest you enroll in a different course.
Discussion Section Assignments and
Participation. This
course has a required weekly discussion section. Discussion sections offer the opportunity to
discuss readings, ask questions, participate in group activities, and generally
deepen your knowledge of course material.
Attendance of discussion sections
is required and will contribute to your final grade. Section instructors may distribute required
assignments (which may include homework assignments, in-class writing
activities, in-class or online quizzes, etc.) that will contribute to your
final grade. (10% of
final grade).
Final Grades. Your final grade will be computed based on the percentage weightings indicated. In the event of a borderline grade, I may use my discretion in adjusting grades based on course participation and effort. Incompletes will not be given, except in unusual circumstance.
Assignment Policies:
Section Attendance/Assignments/Quizzes. Unless otherwise indicated by your section instructor, missed in-class activities, quizzes, or assignments cannot be done later. If you anticipate missing section, ask your TA if it is possible to attend a section at some other time during the week. Complete a “Section Grade/Attendance Transfer Form” to ensure that your attendance and grades (if any) are properly recorded when you attend a different discussion section.
Late Assignments. Assignments received late will be marked down incrementally for each day past the deadline. Extensions for certain kinds of assignments may be granted for legitimate reasons if requested in advance (but this generally does not apply to in-class activities such as quizzes).
Missed Exams. Typically, students who miss exams receive a zero. DO NOT MAKE TRAVEL PLANS ON THE DATE OF THE MIDTERM OR FINAL EXAM. You are welcome to inquire about alternative exam arrangements, but we probably won’t be able to accommodate you. In a class this large we get inundated with requests for special treatment. The best thing is to avoid a problem by planning ahead making sure you don’t miss an exam.
Grade Corrections/Changes. If you believe that you received an incorrect grade on an exam or assignment, complete the “Grade Change Request Form” and give it to your TA. The form is available on the course website.
Cheating, Plagiarism, etc. Academic violations such as cheating and plagiarism will be dealt with very severely, based on the specifics of the case. I may use software to detect text plagiarized from the web or other sources. If requested, students in this course must provide computer copies of their written work for examination by plagiarism detection software. Keep electronic copies (and backups) of all course work.
University Policies
Students in this course must abide by all relevant university policies, ranging from issues of general behavior to academic issues such as plagiarism. It is your responsibility to be aware of university policies.
My Policies
Respect. All
participants in this course (including myself) should strive to treat others –
and their ideas – with respect. The course material and class discussion
will cover sensitive topics ranging from immigration and welfare to racial and
ethnic identity. Disagreements may arise. Try to be aware of and
show respect for other people’s feelings on such issues. Conversely, if
you find yourself offended by something, please try to raise the issue in a
constructive manner – either in class, afterward, or even anonymously – so the
situation can be addressed. Often, conflicts are rooted in simple
misunderstandings, but sometimes they reflect more serious issues that can only
be resolved if things are brought to my attention.
Commitment to Learning. There is no point in taking a course if you are not committed to learning. That means doing the readings, showing up, concentrating, and participating in class discussion and group activities. I strive to make the class interesting, but make no mistake: this is not entertainment. We will struggle through ideas and readings that are difficult and may seem boring if you do not yet understand them. It is your responsibility to be committed.
Professionalism. I expect you to conduct yourself professionally. If you show up and do your work, you will most likely do well. If you don’t show up and fail to do the work, expect a bad grade. Take responsibility for your actions. (I really dislike it when students come to me and say “I haven’t been to class for 6 weeks and missed the exam. But, I really need this course to graduate/keep my financial aid/get into law school/make my parents happy. Can’t you give me a better grade?” If those goals are really so important to you, do the work!)
Course Information
Course handouts, assignments, and other information will be posted to the course web page (listed above). Any changes in the syllabus, assignments, or course requirements will be posted there. Check the web site periodically to keep fully informed.
Schedule & Reading Assignments
NOTE: * indicates optional reading, NOT required.
Week 1: Background: States, Markets, and Globalization (Jan 10, 12)
· Required reading: 33 pages
NOTE:
Discussion sections will not meet during week 1.
Ellwood, Wayne. 2006. The No-Nonsense Guide to Globalization.
J. Bradford DeLong. 2010. “What Do Econ 1 Students Need to Remember Most from the Course?” [excerpt] Blog post: http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2010/12/what-do-econ-1-students-need-to-remember-most-from-the-course.html (2 pages)
Krugman, Paul. 2009. The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008.
*Delong, J. Bradford. 2011. “Prolegomenon to Any Useful Discussion of American Finance.” Blog post: http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2011/10/a-note-prolegomenon-to-any-useful-discussion-of-modern-american-finance.html
Debating Keynesianism:
Ferguson, Niall. “Keynes Can’t Help Us Now.” The Los Angeles Times. February 6, 2009. (3 pages)
Krugman, Paul. “Keynes Was Right.” The New York Times. December 29, 2011. (2 pages)
*Krugman, Paul. “Nobody Understands Debt.” The New York Times. January 1, 2012. (2 pages)
Week 2: States and Markets and Globalization (Jan
17, 19)
· Required reading: 56 pages
January 16: Holiday (Monday)
Reich, Robert T.
2007. Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy,
and Everyday Life.
Friedman, Thomas L. “The Golden Straightjacket.” Chapter 5 (p. 83-93) in The Lexus and the Olive Tree. Farrar, Straus, and Grioux (1999). Focus on pp. 86(middle)-88(top), 90-end. Skim the rest. (6 pages)
Friedman, Thomas
L. 2005.
“The Untouchables.” Chapter 6 in The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century.
On Privatization:
*Hiltzik, Michael. 2009.
“Why Privatizing the University of
* Dillon, Sam. 2005. “At Public Universities, Warnings of Privatization.” The New York Times, October 16, 2005. (3 pages)
Quiggin, John. 2010. Zombie Economics: How Dead Ideas Still Walk Among Us. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Chapter 7 “Privatization” [Excerpt]. P. 186-188; 195-197 ONLY. The rest is optional. (6 pages)
Week 3: Economic Globalization
(Jan 24, 26)
· Required reading: 58 pages
Stiglitz, Joseph E.
2006. “Another World Is
Possible.” Chapter 1
in Making Globalization Work.
Stiglitz, Joseph E.
2006. “The Multinational
Corporation.” Chapter
7 in Making Globalization Work.
Krugman, Paul. 2009. The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008.
Grieco, Joseph M. and G. John Ikenberry. 2003. “Economic Globalization and Political Backlash.” Chapter 7 in State Power and World Markets: The International Political Economy, W. W. Norton and Company (2003). 204-215; 224(bottom)-229 (18 pages)
Week 4: Economic Globalization (Jan 31, Feb 2)
· Required reading: 52 pages
Krugman, Paul R. 2007. “The Trouble With Trade.” The New York Times, Dec 28, 2007. (2 pages) Also at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/28/opinion/28krugman.html
Rodrik, Dani. 2011. The Globalization Paradox: Democracy and the Future of the World
Economy. New York, NY: W. W. Norton and Co.
Stiglitz, Joseph E.
2006. “Making Trade Fair.” Chapter 3 in Making Globalization Work.
Krugman, Paul R. 2009. “Chinese New Year.” The New York Times, December 31, 2009. (2 pages) Also at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/01/opinion/01krugman.html?hp
Rodrik, Dani. 2011. The Globalization Paradox: Democracy and the Future of the World
Economy. New York, NY: W. W. Norton and Co.
Week 5: Globalization, Economic Crises, and
Governance (Feb 7, 9)
· Required reading: 35 pages
Krugman, Paul. 2009. The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008.
Lewis, Michael. 2011. “When Irish Eyes Are Crying.” Vanity Fair. (3 pages)
Also at: http://www.vanityfair.com/business/features/2011/03/michael-lewis-ireland-201103
Drum, Kevin. 2011. “A Conversation About Greece.” Blog post. (2 pages) Also at: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/11/conversation-about-greece
Irwin, Neil. 2010.
“
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/business/financial-crisis-in-europe/
Krugman, Paul. 2011. “The Hole in Europe’s Bucket.” The New York Times, October 23, 2011. (2 pages)
*Brawley, Mark R. 2003. “Globalization and Domestic Politics.” Chapter 5 in The Politics of Globalization. Pages 110(bottom)-115. Toronto, Ontario: Broadview. (5 pages).
Week 6: Globalization, Politics, and Governance (Feb 14,
16)
February 14: Midterm Exam
* In-class closed
book exam, covers readings, class, & section from
Weeks 1 – 5
NO DISCUSSION
SECTION TUESDAY-FRIDAY DUE TO MIDTERM EXAM
n
Monday
sections will meet, to make up for President’s day holiday
Rodrik, Dani. 2011. The Globalization Paradox: Democracy and the Future of the World
Economy. New York, NY: W. W. Norton and Co.
Week 7: Theories of Globalization (Feb 21, 23)
Febrary 20: Holiday. No Section (Monday).
Serneau, Scott. 2006.
“Class: A World of Rich and
Poor.” Pp. 7-32 (Chapter 1) in Global
Problems: The Search for Equity, Peace,
and Sustainability.
Brawley, Mark R. 2003. “Theoretical Lenses for
Viewing Globalization” Pp. 35-56 (Chapter 2) in The
Politics of Globalization.
Schofer, Evan, Ann Hironaka, David Frank,
and Wesley Longhofer. 2011. “Sociological Institutionalism and World
Society.” In Nash, K, A. Scott, and
*Meyer, John W., John Boli, George Thomas, and Francisco Ramirez. 1997. “World Society and the Nation-State.” Excerpt. (8 pages)
*Frank, Andre G. 1969. “The Development of
Underdevelopment.” Pp. 3-20 in Frank, Andre G.
1969.
*Chirot, Daniel and Thomas D. Hall. 1982. “World-System Theory.” Annual Review of Sociology, 8:81-106. (26 pages).
Week 8: Theories of Globalization (Feb 28, Mar 1)
Waltz, Kenneth N. 1999. “Globalization and Governance.” PS: Political Science and Politics, Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 693-700. (8 pages)
Keohane, Robert O. and Joseph S. Nye. 2001. “Realism
and Complex Interdependence.” Pp. 20-32 in Power and
Interdependence (Third Edition).
Sikkink, Kathryn.
1998. “Transnational Politics,
International Relations Theory, and Human Rights.” PS: Political
Science and Politics, Vol. 31, No. 3. (Sep., 1998), pp.
516-523. (8 pages)
Nye, Joseph S.
2004. “The Changing Nature of
Power.” Chapter 1 in Soft Power.
* Keck, Margaret E. and Kathryn Sikkink.
1998. “Transnational Advocacy Networks in International Relations.”
Pp. 1-38 in Keck, Margaret E. and Kathryn Sikkink.
1998. Activists Beyond Borders.
Week 9: Globalization: Identity, Culture, Conflict (March 6, 8)
Huntington, Samuel. 1993. “The Clash of Civilizations?” Foreign Affairs, 1993, Vol. 72, No. 3 (Summer), pp. 3-22. (19 pages).
Bowen, John R. 1996. “The Myth of Global Ethnic Conflict.” Journal of Democracy, 7, 4:3-14. (12 pages).
Martell, Luke.
2010. “The Globalization of
Culture: Homogeneous or Hybrid?” Pp. 89-104 (Chapter 4) in Sociology
of Globalization.
Kurzman, Charles. 2002. Bin Laden and Other Thoroughly Modern Muslims. Contexts. Nov 2002, Vol. 1, No. 4: 13–20. (7 pages)
Telvick, Marlena. 2007. “Al Qaeda Today: The New Face of Global Jihad.” Also at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/front/etc/today.html (4 pages)
*Boli, John and Frank Lechner. 2002.
“Globalization and World Culture.” In the International
Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, edited by Neil J. Smelser and Paul M. Baltes.
Week 10: War, Terrorism, and Global Politics (March
13, 15)
Daalder, Ivo H. and James M. Lindsay.
“The Bush Revolution.” Pp. 152-165 in Kreiger, Joel (ed).
2006. Globalization and State Power: A Reader.
Schaeffer, Robert K.
2009. “Revolution and War in
Shane, Scott. 2009. “The War in Pashtunistan.” The New York Times, December 5, 2007. (4 pages)
Rubin, Alissa et al. 2010. “
*Tirman, John. 2012. “The Forgotten Wages of War.” The New York Times, January 3, 2012. (2 pages)
Schmidt, Eric. 2012. “Lulls in US Drone Strikes Aids Pakistan Militants.” The New York Times, January 7, 2012. (2 pages)
Week 11: Finals
Week
Final Exam Time: Thu,
Mar 22, 1:30-3:30pm