Course Description

Globalization can be seen as the study of how different cultures and societies influence and interact to each other. This course is a survey of major trends and developments of globalization. At the general level, this two-semester course examines the causes and consequences of globalization and the transnational institutions established to cope with the transformation and changes occurred as a result. We will explore how peoples of different cultural backgrounds have come together through war and peace, marriage and divorce, eat and drink, sickness and health, life and death, travel and work, buy and sell, faith and science, and millions of other things we are doing every day. The course is designed to help students understand how the phenomenon of globalization occurred, where it has been, what it meant in the past and what it means now, how such development has since affected our every day life, and major problems of globalization.

The First Semester

Major emphases will be placed on the causes of various early civilizations in terms of transformation in religion, ideology, political, social, and economic institutions.

Through examination of both isolated societies and expanding empires, we introduce the phenomenon of regionalism, the early stage of globalization, and study the patterns of economic theories, political & religious institutions, social classifications, technical inventions, and cultural interactions of different peoples. Characteristically, studies of food culture, origins and evolution of languages, sports industries, motion picture production, literature, etc. help us discover how globalization has basically affected our every day life since around the origins of human society. It is also our intention to help students develop critical thinking, analytical skills, research ability, and experimental experience.

Second Semester

The study will be built upon the understanding of the first semester. Major focus will be on the consequences, impact, as well as cost of modernization and globalization. Issues such as Marxism and Industrial Revolution, international organizations and their functions, world system & developmental theories, environmental problems, meaning of the Pacific Rim, significance of the European Union, gap between “North & South,” immigration as a global phenomenon, human rights, and the most current issue--international terrorism--will be carefully examined.

The course concludes with the expectation that students come out if it feeling accomplished and comfortable in identifying major issues for debate and discussion in other courses and social occasions.

Textbooks

Wendy F. Kasinec & Michael A. Polushin, eds. Expanding Empires; Cultural Interaction and Exchange in World Societies from Ancient to Modern Times, Wilmington, Delaware: SR Books, 2002.
Pang-Mei Natasha Chang, Bound Feet & Western Dress: A Memoir, New York: Anchor Books, 1996.

Course Requirements

1. Two Examinations 120 points each

2. One book review 100

3. Group presentation 100

4. Attendance & Participation 60

1. Examinations consist of essay and multiple-choice questions. All questions come from lectures and readings.

2. Book review is on Chang’s book, Bound Feet & Western Dress. The book review should include the following aspects:

--a summary of the story;

--identify both eastern tradition and western influence on the main character,Yu-i;

--what impresses you the most in this novel, what do you learn from the story?

--your personal evaluation of the book;

**The book review should be typed, double-spaced in 12 font, and 4-6 pages in length.

3. Group Presentation is one of the major assignments in this course. Each group consists of 4-5 students who will pick one topic and work together to the final project by the end of the semester. Grade for this assignment depends on the group effort, division of work, final presentation, and quality of the work. In addition to oral in class presentation, each group has to present their work on a poster to be displayed in the final Poster Conference (joined by all 3 sections in the Core 101 on Globalization) held in the last meeting on Dec. 10, Wed.

**Potential topics for group presentation

1) Grandma’s favorite recipes;

2) Moscow Farmers’ Market;

3) Early trade: patterns & impact (Silk Road, Islamic trade, slave trade, etc.);

4) Political systems;

5) The 100 Olympic Games;

6) Religions: vision of the world;

7) Warfare: from ancient time to today;

8) Diseases: from Black Death to SARS;

9) The most important inventions;

The draft of the presentation is due on Oct. 20, Monday.

**Format of the oral presentation is up to each group (prepare for only 15-20 minutes). All the groups, however, will have to get the same size of poster (possibly from UI Bookstore) with their own designs of the posters.

**Content of the presentation should include the following:

1) introduction (title of the project, members’ names, work division, etc.);

2) timeline, if applicable;

3) main text (development, argument, pictures, artifacts, transformation, etc.);

4) how did this event/phenomenon/development reflect the concept of globalization, or change human societies?

5) conclusion;

6) credits to sources (websites, books, articles, libraries, individuals, or other sources of information);

4. Attendance is students’ own responsibility. It is important that you do not miss class as we do not have one comprehensive textbook for this course and all the questions come from lecture and reading.

Grading Scale A=500-450 B=449-400 C=399-350 D=349-300 F=299 and below

Academic Honesty

This instructor requires the entire class to follow the Policy of Academic Honesty from the University of Idaho. All work you turn in is expected to be your own, created specifically for this class. Material taken from other sources must be clearly acknowledged in your notes. Plagiarism or other forms of cheating are very serious offenses that will result in failure of this course and can lead to academic suspension or dismissal by the university. This also applies to a person who knowingly aids another in attempting to gain credit for work not mostly of his/her own intellectual effort. All cases will be referred to the Dean of Students.

Attached to the course syllabus is a copy of the University of Idaho policy on Academic Honesty. Finding of violation of this policy in student’s course assignment will result in “0” grade for the assignment, and possibly an “F” for the course. Please read the policy carefully and follow it to the letter. The instructor will not negotiate this university policy in any way.

Class Policy

1. Late Papers: unless student obtains advanced permission from the instructor, or submits legitimate written notes for military or university duties, any late paper will receive 5 points deduction per day. Please do not assume that placing your late paper in my mailbox automatically means you have turned in the paper on time.

2. Make-up Exam: can only be granted with legitimate reasons (such as medical emergency, university or military duties) accompanied with written notes. Oversleep or out of town for personal business cannot be taken into consideration.

3. “Incomplete” Grade can be granted toward the end of the semester only under the condition that student has performed well in the course throughout the semester but can not possibly complete a couple of remaining assignments as a result of medical problem, military service, or other emergencies. Again, a written note is required to prove the situation. A grade cannot be changed to “I” after the final grade has been entered.

Course Schedule

Week 1 Aug. 25-29

Introduction to the Course

Agricultural Revolution

Isolation and regionalism

Reading: Kasinec, chpts. 1 & 2

Week 2 Sept. 2-5, No Class on Monday, Labor Day

Culture & Tradition

Art & Literature

Languages

Reading: TBA

Week 3 Sept. 8-12

Religions & Conflicts

Early beliefs

Judaism, Christianity, & Islam

Reading: Kasinec, chpts. 5, 8, & 9

Week 4 Sept. 15-19

Trade & Expansion

Patterns

History of coffee

Reading: Kasinec, chpts. 6, & 13

Week 5 Sept. 22-26

Warfare

Trojan War & other wars

Modern warfare

**Sept. 24, 7-9pm, 1^st Wed. Evening Meeting

“Free Trade vs. Fair Trade Coffee Panel,” location TBA

Week 6 Sept. 29-Oct. 3

Political Culture of the Empires

Political systems

Feudalism

Reading: Kasinec, chpts. 3, 4, 11, &12

Response paper due on Monday in class

Week 7 Oct. 6-10

1^st Exam on Monday

Disease & Society

Black Death

SARS

Reading: Handouts

Week 8 Oct. 13-17

State Building

Church vs. State

Nationalism

Reading: Kasinec, chpt. 7 & 14

Oct. 15, 7-9pm, 2^nd Wed. Evening Meeting, location & topic TBA

Week 9 Oct. 20-24

Imperialism

Colonial culture

Slave Trade

Reading: Kasinec, chpts. 8-9, 15-16

Draft of Presentation due on Monday

Week 10 Oct. 27-31

Education in Transition

Towns vs. gowns

Confucianism

Reading: Chang, chpts. 1-5

Week 11 Nov. 3-7

Eastern Morale, Western Science

China & Japan face challenge

Reading: Chang, chpts. 6-10

Week 12 Nov. 10-14

2^nd Exam on Monday

Tradition vs. modernity

“Bound Feet & Western Dress”

Reading: Chang, chpts. 11-14

Nov. 12, 7-9pm, 3^rd Wed. meeting, Movie: Magic Box

Week 13 Nov. 17-21

Food Culture

Olympic Spirit

Reading: Handout

Book review on Chang’s book due on Wed.

Week 14 Nov. 24-28, Fall Recess, NO CLASS

Week 15 Dec. 1-5

Group Presentations

Week 16 Dec. 8-12

Prepare for Poster Presentation Conference

Dec. 10, 7-9pm, last Wed. meeting, Poster Conference

Location, TBA

**This course schedule is subject to changes by the instructor