Online Syllabus
Sociology 2: Global and Transnational Sociology
Winter 2013, Course #69050
Time/Place: Tuesday and Thursday 2:00-3:20pm, SSH 100
Class Web Page: https://faculty.sites.uci.edu/schofer/teaching/2013soc2/
Online Readings: http://webfiles.uci.edu/schofer/classes/2013soc2/readings
Handouts & Notes: http://webfiles.uci.edu/schofer/classes/2013soc2/coursefiles
| Instructor: | Evan Schofer |
| Office: | SSPB 4271 |
| Office Hours | Thursdays 12:00-1:00pm & by appointment |
| Office Phone: | (949) 824-1397 |
| Email: | schofer — at — uci.edu |
| TAs: | Natasha Miric | Ralph Hosoki |
| Email: | nmiric@uci.edu | rhosoki@uci.edu |
| Office Hours: | Tuesday 12-1 & by appt. | Monday 11-12 & by appt. |
| Office: | SST 682 | SST 355 |
| Sections: | Tu 11:00-11:50 SSTR 101 | Mon 9-9:50 SSPA 1165 |
| Wed 2:00- 2:50p SSPA 1170 | Mon 10-10:55 SSTR 101 | |
| Wed 3:00- 3:50p SSTR 100 | Mon 5:00-5:50 SST 238 |
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 Readings:
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
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 on the night before the midterm or final.
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 “Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy.” The full video is available online, so you can review video material as you prepare for the exams: Commanding Heights, Episodes 1 & 3
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 12, 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: Thursday, March 21, 1:30-3:30pm
NOTE: Due to prior incidents of academic dishonesty, I do not typically 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 coming to class 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 success in this class is really so important to you, just plan ahead and 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 8, 10)
- Required reading: 33 pages
NOTE: Discussion sections will not meet during week 1.
Ellwood, Wayne. 2006. The No-Nonsense Guide to Globalization. Chapter 1, “Globalization Then and Now.” Pp. 12-25 (14 pages)
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.
- Chapter 1, “The Central Problem Has Been Solved” Pp. 15-22 only. (8 pages)
- Chapter 3, “Japan’s Trap.” Pp. 62-65 (moral hazard) and 68-71 (liquidity trap). (8 pages)
*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 15, 17)
- Required reading: 56 pages
Reich, Robert T. 2007. Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. (29 pages total)
- Chapter 1, “The Not Quite Golden Age,” section 9 (pp. 46-49) (3 pages)
- Chapter 2, “The Road to Supercapitalism.” sections 3-6, 9 (pp. 60-75, 86-87) (18 pages)
- Chapter 3, “Of Two Minds,” sections 1 (pp. 89-95) and 8 (pp. 122-3) (8 pages)
- Other sections and chapters are OPTIONAL – but interesting. Take a look!
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. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. (12 pages)
On Privatization:
*Hiltzik, Michael. 2009. “Why Privatizing the University of California Won’t Work.” The Los Angeles Times. December 10, 2009. (2 pages)
* 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 22, 24)
January 21: Holiday. No Section Meetings
- Required reading: 58 pages
Stiglitz, Joseph E. 2006. “Another World Is Possible.” Chapter 1 in Making Globalization Work. New York: W. W. Norton and Co. Pp. 7-10(top) only. (3 pages)
Stiglitz, Joseph E. 2006. “The Multinational Corporation.” Chapter 7 in Making Globalization Work. New York: W. W. Norton and Co. P. 187-195 only. (9 pages)
Krugman, Paul. 2009. The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008.
- Chapter 4, “Asia’s Crash.” Pp. 77-97. (21 pages)
- Chapter 6, “Masters of the Universe.” Pp. 120-123 & 134-138. (9 pages)
Pogue, David. 2012. “The Dilemma of Cheap Electronics.” The New York Times, February 9, 2012. (2 pages)
Duhigg, Charles and Keith Bradsher. 2012. “How the US Lost iPhone Work.” The New York Times, January 21, 2012. (10 pages)
Fishman, Charles. 2012. “The Insourcing Boom.” The Atlantic Monthly. December, 2012. (10 pages)
*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 29, 31)
- 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.
- Chapter 3, “Why Doesn’t Everyone Get the Case for Free Trade?” Pp. 47-60. (14 pages)
Stiglitz, Joseph E. 2006. “Making Trade Fair.” Chapter 3 in Making Globalization Work. New York: W. W. Norton and Co. Pp. 61-74 only. (14 pages)
Rodrik, Dani. 2011. The Globalization Paradox: Democracy and the Future of the World Economy. New York, NY: W. W. Norton and Co.
- Chapter 9: “The Political Trilemma of the World Economy.” Pp. 189-97 & 200 (mid)-205(top) (14 pages)
- Chapter 11, “Designing Capitalism 3.0” Pp. 233-239(top). (6 pages)
*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
Week 5: Globalization, Economic Crises, and Governance (Feb 5, 7)
- Required reading: 35 pages
Krugman, Paul. 2009. The Return of Depression Economics and the Crisis of 2008.
- Chapter 8, “Banking in the Shadows.” Pp. 153-164. (12 pages)
- Chaper 9, “The Sum of All Fears.” Pp. 165-180. (15 pages)
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
- Read pages 1-2 & 5. I recommend skimming the rest – it is a fun read.
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. “Europe’s Financial Contagion.” The Washington Post (1 page).
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 12, 14)
February 12: Midterm Exam
* In-class closed book exam, covers readings, class, & section from Weeks 1 – 5
Monday sections will meet, to make up for President’s day holiday
NO DISCUSSION SECTION TUESDAY-FRIDAY DUE TO MIDTERM EXAM
- Required reading: 27 pages
Rodrik, Dani. 2011. The Globalization Paradox: Democracy and the Future of the World Economy. New York, NY: W. W. Norton and Co.
- Chapter 7, “Poor Countries in a Rich World.” Pp. 135-158. (23 pages)
- Afterward, “A Bedtime Story for Grown-Ups.” Pp. 281-284. (4 pages)
Week 7: Theories of Globalization (Feb 19, 21)
- Required reading: 68 pages
Febrary 18: 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. Boston, MA: Pearson. (36 pages)
Brawley, Mark R. 2003. “Theoretical Lenses for Viewing Globalization” Pp. 35-56 (Chapter 2) in The Politics of Globalization. Toronto, Ontario: Broadview. (22 pages)
Schofer, Evan, Ann Hironaka, David Frank, and Wesley Longhofer. 2011. “Sociological Institutionalism and World Society.” In Nash, K, A. Scott, and E. Amenata (eds). The New Blackwell Companion to Political Sociology. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. (10 pages)
*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. Latin America: Underdevelopment or Revolution. New York, NY: Modern Reader. (18 pages).
*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 26, 28)
- Required reading: 61 pages
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). New York, NY: Longman. (13 pages)
* 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. New York: Public Affairs. (32 pages)
* 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. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. (38 pages)
Week 9: Globalization: Identity, Culture, Conflict (March 5, 7)
- Required reading: 66 pages
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. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press. (16 pages)
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. Oxford: Elsevier. (5 pages)
Week 10: War, Terrorism, and Global Politics (March 12, 14)
- Required reading: 43 pages
Daalder, Ivo H. and James M. Lindsay. “The Bush Revolution.” Pp. 152-165 in Kreiger, Joel (ed). 2006. Globalization and State Power: A Reader. New York, NY: Pearson Education. (14 pages)
Schaeffer, Robert K. 2009. “Revolution and War in Afghanistan.” Pp. 259-280 (chapter 11) in Understanding Globalization (4th ed). (21 pages)
Shane, Scott. 2009. “The War in Pashtunistan.” The New York Times, December 5, 2007. (4 pages)
Rubin, Alissa et al. 2010. “Afghanistan in Review: High Hopes and Big Obstacles.” The New York Times, December 31, 2010. Video, available online at:
*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: Thursday, March 21, 1:30-3:30pm