Global Studies Courses
Semester
specific course descriptions
101. Introduction to Global Studies I:
Political Economy.
An introduction to the reasons for the emergence of a global political economy. Using case studies, students examine the basic concepts and vocabulary in the political-economic analysis of globalization, such as free trade, capital accumulation, international division of labor, neo-liberalism, privatization, structural adjustment and sustainable development. The course explores the consequences of changing patterns of transnational economic and governance structures for nation-states, ecosystems and people’s lives, and examines the repercussions of economic globalization. Discussion of the opposition movements that have formed to contest globalization, such as those emerging from labor movements, environmentalism and feminism. This course fulfills the social science (SSC) distribution requirement.
102. Introduction to Global Studies II:
Race,Culture, Identity.
Examination of their own identities and social locations leads students to an understanding of how those identities exist in a global matrix of cultural, economic and political relationships. Students are introduced to various theoretical and political positions on identity, with a focus on gender, race, ethnicity, class, spirituality and sexuality. While much of the material is drawn from the contemporary era, the historical context of European conquest and expansion and the Middle Passage frame a critical examination of the evolving ideas of “America” and the “West.” This course fulfills the diversity (DIV) requirement. Also offered through Caribbean and Latin American Studies, Native American Studies and African-American Studies.
222. Asian Political Economy in the Global Age.
The course covers the geographical and historical rise of East Asian economies in the context of “quasi-states” in the world economy, the spectacular economic growth of China, and the social and economic crisis gripping South Asia in the context of contemporary debates about neo-liberalism, gender, identity, community and communalism. What are the prospects for East and South Asia in the new global millennium? Topics include regional perspectives on global capital accumulation, global inequalities, human rights discourse, fundamentalism and social movements. Also offered through Asian Studies.
225. Marx's Critique of Political Economy
An introductory reading-intensive seminar on Karl Marx’s hugely influential critique of political economy. The object of the course is to try to work through the path of argument in Volume 1 of Capital. How does Marx elaborate upon the concept of critique? How is Capital a work of critique? How do contemporary transformations in global political economy relate to Marx’s critique of political economy? Other works by Marx may be used insofar as they help us obtain a deeper understanding of Capital.
230. Secrets and Lies: Nationalism, Violence and Memory.
This course explores the complex and difficult processes through which nations confront — or fail to confront — their histories of colonization, genocide and other types of mass violence. Through a comparative look at case studies such as South Africa, Israel/Palestine and the United States, the course examines a variety of collective responses to mass violence, including denial, truth commissions, war crimes trials and reparations. Also offered through Peace Studies.
233. GIS w/Lab.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is the use of computers to manage, display and analyze spatial or geographical information. This course introduces students to the basic concepts, functions, and applications of GIS. We discuss maps, data sources and management, and geographic techniques, including global positioning systems, aerial photography and satellite imagery. Through a series of lab exercises students explore the analytical functions of GIS, such as proximity, overlay and three dimensional modeling. To further understand GIS practices and applications, each student develops a GIS project with data appropriate to his or her area of interest.
245. Japanese Culture and the West.
This course explores the dynamics of Japanese culture, old and new, high and low, within itself and in relation to other cultures, particularly the West. Its approach is broadly comparative: “interdisciplinary” to examine the interrelationships among different arts and cultural phenomena in the Japanese society, and “intercultural” to study the mutual relationships and influences between Japan and western countries. Each topic is placed in wide historical, religious, social and artistic contexts, in search of its contemporary meanings and expression. Also offered through Modern Languages (Japanese).
250. La Frontera: Cultural Identities
on the Mexican— U.S. Borderland.
This course investigates the cultural expressions derived from the interactions among people on both sides of the Mexico-U.S. border. The goal is to understand the different ways in which immigration, drug smuggling and transnational industries affect the everyday lives of borderlanders through historical and critical approaches to the cultural expressions (music, images or other forms of discourse) that have served as mechanisms to mediate the contradictions arising out of the border. This course fulfills the diversity (DIV) requirement. Also offered through Caribbean and Latin American Studies and Native American Studies.
255. Popular Culture.
This course introduces students to key themes in the study of popular media and to debates about the role of media in contemporary societies. It also introduces methodologies used to study culture and asks students to apply them to case studies from music, sports, comics, fashion, television, cyberculture, film or advertising. Emphasis is on various cultural expressions of ethnic subcultures in the United States and their complex negotiations with the dominant culture and their co-resisters in a global/local struggle over meaning. Also offered through Caribbean and Latin American Studies.
260. Transnational Migration.
Students acquire a global perspective on the nature of migration movements, why they take place and how they affect migrating peoples, as well as the societies receiving them. Themes include a) transnationalism and new approaches to national identity and citizenship; b) migration as a social network-driven process; c) gendered migration; d) migration and the formation of ethnic minorities. The course analyzes how transnational movements of people, goods and services affect and transform the relationships between cities and nations and explores the political meaning of contemporary nationalism and the possibilities of new forms of citizenship. Emphasis is on the (trans)formations of Latino identities in the U.S. This course fulfills the diversity (DIV) requirement. Also offered through Caribbean and Latin American Studies and Native American Studies.
290.
Global Studies Research Methods.
An introduction to research approaches that take into account the economic and political context of the production of culture, textual analysis and people’s perceptions. Objectives are to examine the philosophy and epistemology of qualitative methods, to understand various approaches to qualitative research, to develop the skills to design a qualitative research project, to gather and analyze qualitative data, and to present the preliminary findings. For their final project, students produce a research design for their SYE and apply learned research strategies to their own research questions. The course emphasizes the importance of critical awareness of the practical, social and ethical issues that arise in doing cultural and social analysis and research in everyday settings.
301. Theories of Global Political Economy.
This course explores the complex relationship between states and economies at the global level. Its primary purpose is to provide a critical understanding of the major theoretical and analytical issues that constitute the crucial challenge to the study of global political economy today. It moves beyond the traditional agenda of international political economy, namely trade and investment, to address a wide range of alternative theories, concepts and themes, including the origins, functions and impacts of transnational corporations, international financial institutions, regional and global trade organizations and non-governmental organizations involved in social movements. Prerequisite: Global Studies 101.
302. Theories of Cultural Studies.
An introduction to the growing field of cultural studies through an examination of its major theoretical paradigms, particularly as these bear on the question of unequal global power relations. These may include Marxism, critical theory, post-structuralism, feminist theory and emerging work in postmodernism and post-colonial studies. Students explore strategies for “reading” cultural practices and texts not simply as reflections of reality, but as political interventions, expressions of desire, attempts to persuade and producers of power. Through a combination of theoretical criticism and analysis of specific materials, students prepare to undertake independent research in global studies with an informed understanding of how cultural studies challenge and enrich traditional social science and humanities approaches. Prerequisite: Global Studies 101 or 102. This course fulfills the diversity (DIV) and humanities (HUM) distribution requirements. Also offered through Native American Studies.
330.
Palestinian Identities.
More than half a century after their dispossession, the Palestinian people continue to live a diasporic and tormented national existence. Despite the high level of media attention, decades-old questions remain: Who are the Palestinians? Why are they stateless? What do they want? Why are they so controversial? The purpose of this course is to examine the multiple and sometimes contradictory ways in which Palestinians have been and are being defined and redefined (both by themselves and by others) as a political and cultural community. We explore a series of narrative accounts (novels, memoirs, films) of Palestinian life, both in the diaspora and under Israeli occupation. This course fulfills the diversity (DIV) requirement. Also offered through Peace Studies.
333. Ethics of Global Citizenship.
This research seminar is designed to address, from a philosophical perspective, some of the difficult ethical questions arising from the global organization of the world. Readings include classical, non-western and alternative theories of justice and peace. The course interrogates the discourses surrounding patriotism and cosmopolitanism, peace and violence, terrorism and war, justice and retribution, and the debates surrounding relativism versus universalism, especially with regard to the claims for human rights. Students undertake research projects dealing with the ways these issues are being negotiated in countries where they studied abroad, and develop ethical positions on their own responsibilities toward global citizenship. Also offered as Philosophy 333 and through Peace Studies.
340. Global News Analysis.
This course fosters the tools necessary to be critical readers and viewers of the news in a complex, globalized media environment. We examine the production and reception of mainstream U.S. coverage of global news events and compare this coverage with coverage produced elsewhere. In the process, we explore deeper issues concerning discourse, ideology and the representation of “other” cultures; the relationship between media, corporate and state power; and the role of institutions in defining the bounds of “legitimate” knowledge. Students in the course also contribute to the Weave, an online alternative news analysis project spotlighting underreported stories. Prerequisite: Global Studies 101 or 102. This course fulfills the diversity (DIV) requirement.
350. Global Palestine.
This course explores the global significance of the modern colonization of Palestine and the resulting Palestinian struggle for national liberation. Moving beyond conventional interpretations of the conflict between Israel/Zionism and the Palestinians, the course emphasizes Palestine’s location within a set of broader global structures and processes including settler colonialism, militarization, social acceleration, solidarity movements, and the relationship between state and non-state forms of terrorism. Students will develop their familiarity with important theoretical concepts within global studies while also furthering their understanding of why Palestine, despite its small size, continues to matter so much to so many. Also offered through Peace Studies.
357. Postcolonial Theory and Literature.
This course introduces a distinct way of organizing literary study, substituting for the study of national traditions the notion of postcoloniality as a global condition affecting not only literature but also categories we use to think about human experience: relations between colonizers and colonized and between culture and power; identity, authenticity and hybridity; roots, motherland, mother tongue; nationality. Readings include contemporary literature produced in the Indian subcontinent, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Africa, Canada and the Caribbean, as well as important theoretical texts about postcoloniality. Also offered as English 357 and Philosophy 357.
367. Feminist Postcolonial Theory.
Postcolonial theory addresses issues of identity, culture, literature and history arising from the social context of colonization, resistance to colonization, liberation from colonization and the formation of new nations. It crosses the boundaries of the social sciences and humanities in its approach to theory and analysis of the discourses used to constitute colonial and postcolonial subjects. We begin with some classic texts of postcolonial theory before moving to a focus on specifically feminist debates and texts within postcolonial studies. Literature and film are used in dialog with theoretical texts to examine questions about gender and women’s issues in various societies. Also offered as English 367, Gender Studies 367 and Philosophy 367.
390. Independent Study.
489,490. SYE: Senior Project
498,499. SYE: Honors Project
Global studies also regularly offers special topics courses on important global themes. Recent courses have included Cities and Globalization, Africa and Globalization, and After Neoliberalism.
