Core 102-26 Globalization

Spring 2004                                                                                                    Classroom: REN 053

                                                                                                                        Time: MWF 8:30-9:20am       

Instructor: Dr. Pingchao Zhu/History Department

Office: 315 AD

Office Hour: MWF 12:30-1:30, or by appointment

Office Phone: 885-7166, or 885-6253

Email: pzhu@uidaho.edu

Website: www.uidaho.edu/~pzhu

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

            This course studies the trends, characters, and the problems of the international phenomenon of globalization with an intention to enrich our understanding of the new world order into the 21st century.  Major focus will be on the consequences, impact, as well as cost of modernization and globalization.   Issues such as modernization and industrialization, cultural integration and interaction, 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.  Students are strongly encouraged to raise questions, analyze issues, criticize theories, examine developmental patterns, as well as finding new trends through reading and discussion. 

 

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

 

TEXTBOOKS                

1)      McGraw Hill, Globalization, a customized book, 2004 (This is a customized textbook with the name of the       instructor and the course number on the front)

 

2)      Dan Smith, The Penguin State of the World Atlas, 7th edition, Penguin Books, 2003

 

3)      Walter LeFeber, Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism, W. W. Norton & Company, New York,

            new & expanded edition, 2002

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Two examinations                                         100 points each

2. Response journals (6)                                     25 points each

3. Individual project                                          100

4. Attendance & Participation                             50

 

Examinations consist of essay questions and identifications, they are not accumulative.  A make-up exam can not be granted without a legitimate reason.

 

Response Journals should include your comments and discussions based on the reading from the articles in the McGraw Hill package, Globalization.  There are two sided opinions in most of the articles and you can comment on these views and also take side to support or to attack these views.  The purpose of writing the Journals intends to invite students’ response to issues under discussion in this course and create an environment for sharing your individual opinion.  Of the ten articles in the McGraw Hill package, you may choose any Six to write the response journal and turn it in on the Friday (in some cases, Wed.) of that week.

 

Individual Project requires students to choose one non-western nation, preferably a less developed country, to create a profile to include the following elements:

            --general information (size, population, government, religion, GDP, economic statistics, etc.);

            --its status of modernization & industrialization;

            --its relations especially trade, commercial, and financial relations, or even debts situation with the industrialized nations (western European countries, the United States, Japan, and so on).  You may choose one significant foreign investment, cooperation, or industry in this nation and examine the operation, successful or not successful (for example, oil, sugar, mining, fast food, information technology, electronic manufacture, textile, etc.);

            --major changes, both positive and negative, as a result of such development in this nation;

            --major problems in its global activities as a result of seeking international assistance and help; 

            --your finding, analysis, and comments on such a profile.

            **You are welcome to discuss your choice of the country with me if you have questions regarding this assignment.

 

Attendance is students’ responsibility.  Please be aware of that you do lose points by missing too many classes, especially when your grade stands on the border line.  In case of emergency or other problems out of your control, I would appreciate you let me know about your situation either in advance or afterward.

 

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 University of Idaho Policy of Academic Honesty, which is attached to this syllabus.  Finding of violation of this policy in student’s course assignments 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.

 

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

Week 1,           Jan. 14-16, Class begins on Wed.

                        Introduction to the Course

                        What is Globalization?

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 1-18

 

Week 2,           Jan. 21-23, No Class on Monday, National Holiday

                        Is Globalization Good for Mankind?

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 1-18

 

Week 3,           Jan. 26-28 (no class on Friday)

                        The East Asian Miracle

                        Japan vs. the world

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 29-37

 

Week 4,           Feb. 2-6

                        International Trade and its Impact

                        Capitalism & U.S. Jobs

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 19-28

 

Week 5,           Feb. 9-13

                        The North vs. South

                        Life & Debt

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 38-53

 

Week 6,           Feb. 18-20, No Class on Monday, Presidents’ Day

                        Migration, Brain Drain, & Immigration Policy

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 72-85

                       

Week 7,           Feb. 23-27

                        Environment & Globalization

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 54-71

 

Week 8,           Mar. 1-5

                        Information, Internet, & Individual Freedom

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 86-100

                        1st Examination on Monday

 

Week 9            Mar. 8-12

                        McDonald’s, Kentucky Chicken, & …

                        How Fast Food Won the World?

                        Reading: Handouts

 

Week 10,         Mar. 15-19, SPRING RECESS, NO CLASS

 

Week 11,         Mar. 22-26

                        Michael Jordon, Yao Ming, & …

                        Reading: LeFeber, chpts. 1-5

 

Week 12,         Mar. 29-Apr. 2

                        European Union, the Pacific Rim, & More

                        Reading: Handouts                   

 

Week 13,         Apr. 5-9

                        International Organizations

                        UN, NATO, WTO, IMF, WBG, etc.

                        Reading: handouts

 

Week 14,         Apr. 12-16

                        Democracy, Choice or Destination?  

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 101-118

 

Week 15,         Apr. 19-23

                        Human Rights in Perspective

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 119-134

                        **Individual Project Due on Friday

 

Week 16,         Apr. 26-30

                        International Terrorism

                        Reading: McGraw Hill, pp. 135-154

                                       LeFeber, chpt. 7

 

Week 17,         May 3-7

                        Major Problems in Globalization

                        2nd Examination on Friday

 

**The above course schedule is subject to changes by the instructor.