Politics of Globalization University of Nevada, Las Vegas Political Science 405Z, Section 1 Prof. Jonathan R. Strand Fall 2006 Phone: 895-3356 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: M, W 1:00-2:30 (and by appointment) Office: WRI B210 Course Description: There are divergent views in the public discourse regarding what globalization represents. If globalization is a distinct and unique socio-economic force, then what are the implications for national governments, labor, and transnational corporations? Is globalization eroding state sovereignty? Are workers disadvantaged vis-à-vis globalizing capital? Can more equitable and/or effective global institutions be constructed in this age of globalization? This course aims to provide a systematic understanding of the political, economic, and social aspects of globalization. We will first examine how globalization is conceptualized. Following this we will assess the empirical evidence regarding the spatiotemporal bounds of globalization. We will then focus on economic, political, and cultural aspects of globalization. The last few weeks of the course will investigate special problems often associated with globalization. Format: As this is an upper-level course, the instructor assumes that students who have registered for the class are interested in the topic. The course will be conducted as a seminar. The instructor expects students will read the assigned materials prior to coming to class. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions. Course Requirements: Exams: There will be two exams each worth 100 points. All make-up exams are scheduled for Wednesday December 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Make-up exams will only be allowed when the instructor is notified before the scheduled exam and only for verifiable and excusable grounds. All in-class exams and quizzes must be written in black ink, dark blue ink, or a “number 2” pencil; failure to conform to this requirement will result in a failing grade. Students who do not exercise intelligible penmanship will be penalized. Take-home exams must be word processed with standard formatting and fully referenced using a standard style. Research Paper: A 12-15 page research paper worth 100 points is due by November 29th. More details on this project will be handed-out in class. Book Review: Students are required to write a scholarly book review. More information on this 50 point assignment will be provided in class. Class Participation and attendance, including quizzes, will account for 100 points. Make-up quizzes will not be offered. At least once during the semester each student will be randomly called on to answer a question related to the assigned readings. This assignment is worth 25 points toward your participation grade. Missing more than 3 classes lowers your final grade by one-third (e.g., an A- turns into a B+). Missing more than 5 classes determines that your grade is an F. Students who arrive late or leave early will be marked absent. Disruptions – such as using a cell phone, text messenger, pager, computer or other such device – will have a deleterious effect on your participation grade. The instructor requires all cell phones and pagers to be switched off during class. Electronic devices, including language translation equipment and audio recorders, may not be used. Late assignments will be penalized 20 percent per day beyond the due date. Incompletes will not be offered except in the most unusual of circumstances. All grade disputes must be in writing. Students who expect to miss class because of the observance of a religious holiday will have an opportunity to make up missed work given that the instructor has been notified in writing regarding the anticipated absence by the last day of late registration. Students who expect to miss class due to an officially sanctioned, UNLV activity (e.g., intercollegiate athletics) must notify the instructor in writing at least 7 days prior to the anticipated absence and provide verification of participation.The instructor reserves the right to have students’ written materials submitted electronically and assessed by plagiarism detection software. The University requires all members of the University Community to be familiar with and to follow copyright and fair use laws. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The University will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability as well as disciplinary action under University policies. To help familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright page at: www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright. Plagiarism of any form will result in a failing grade for the course and the instructor will file a case with the Office of Student Conduct. Synopsis of Grading Exams 200 points Participation 100 points Research Paper 100 points Book Review 50 points Total 450 points Required Texts: Lechner, Frank J. and John Boli, eds. (2004) The Globalization Reader (2nd Ed.) Malden: Blackwell. ISBN: 1405102802 Scholte, Jan Aart (2005) Globalization: A Critical Introduction. (2nd Ed.) New York: St. Martin’s. ISBN: 0333977025. Singer, Peter (2002) One World: The Ethics of Globalization. (2nd Ed.) New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN: 0300103050 Steger, Manfred B. (2003) Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 019280359X. Woods, Ngaire (2006) The Globalizers: The IMF, the World Bank, And Their Borrowers. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN: 0801444241. Student Accommodation: The UNLV Disability Resource Center (DRC) houses the resources for students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC) room 137. The phone numbers are 702-895-0866 (voice), 702-895-0652 (TDD), and 702-895-0651 (Fax). For additional information please visit: www.unlv.edu/studentlinf/les. Course Outline & Readings: The instructor reserves the right to adjust this schedule as needed. Date Topic Readings 8/28 Introduction Scholte, Chapter 1 8/30 Conceptual Overview Steger, Chapter 1 9/4 No Class