Sociology 344

Global Society

Dr. Stephen Sills

sjsills@uncg.edu

344-01 Global Society (3:3)

GE Marker: GL Required Texts: Steger, Manfred. (2003)
Instructor: Stephen J. Sills Globalization: A Very Short Introduction Oxford
Office: GRAM 320 University Press, USA.
Office Hours: M W F 900-1100 Eitzen, D. Stanley and Baca Zinn, Maxine (2006)
Email: sjsills@uncg.edu Globalization: the transformation of Social
Location: GRAM 302 Worlds Thomson/Wadsworth, USA.
Class Times: T R 1100 - 1215

Course Description:
Pr. 101 and two additional sociology courses or permission of instructor .
Examines the interdependent development of formal organizations, communities, and societies as large scale social
systems. Special attention is given to inter-societal relationships and the world system. Application to contemporary
social issues is stressed.

Much of this course addresses the topic of “globalization” and falls under the sub-heading of “global sociology.”
This course will introduce you to some of the main issues and debates on the topic. There are two required texts that
introduce the theoretical and historical background of globalization. The readings focus on the process of
globalization and how it shapes societies and groups. The articles are drawn from scholarly as well as popular
sources and will be supplemented by online materials.

Course Goals:
As a result of this course the students will be able to:
• recount the history of globalization in their own terms
• explain the dimensions of globalization
• explain the dominant theories of globalization
• critically evaluate the core-periphery relations in global sphere
• discuss the anti/alter-globalization movement
• further develop their writing and speaking skills

Evaluation:
There are 1000 pts available. Grades are will be calculated as the sum of the following assignments:
1. Reading Questions 20% (200 pts)
2. In Class Activities 10% (100 pts)
3. Exam 1 15% (150 pts)
4. Exam 2 15% (150 pts)
5. Exam 3 10% (100 pts)
6. Paper 20% (200 pts)
7. Attendance and Participation 10% (100 pts)
8. Extra Credit +5% (50 pts)

Reading Questions:
You are expected to read all of the assigned articles. Homework will be assigned for most chapters in the texts
and supplemental readings. Students will be expected to answer a few short essay questions reflecting information
from the readings. Please submit your answers to questions via Blackboard, prior to class. You will receive 10 pts
for each completed assignment for a total of 200 pts (20% of the overall grade). Assignments received after the class
will be considered late and penalized 10% each day. For example a 10 pts assignment turned in 3 days late would be
worth a maximum of 7 pts. AFTER TEN DAYS NO CREDIT WILL BE POSSIBLE.

In-class Assignments:
There will be a total of four graded in-class assignments. The function of these assignments is to apply what you
have learned from the readings and lectures. Some assignments will involve discussing/debating what you have
learned where others may involve analyzing relevant sociological issues. These in-class assignments will often take
the form of short collaborative-learning assignments, where each member of the group will be assigned a grade
based on the group’s ability to complete the exercise. These assignments will be worth 25 pts each for a total of 100
pts (10% of the overall grade). NO MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IF YOU MISS
THESE DAYS.

Exams:
There will be three exams, one for each section of the text. Exams 1 &2 are worth 150 pts each (15% of overall
grade); exam 3 is worth 100 pts. Exams will cover the information from readings, lectures, discussions, and in-class
assignments. Attendance is imperative for success on exams! Exam format includes multiple choice, short answer,
and essay questions. An exam study-guide will be provided the class before the exam to help you focus your studies.
The study-guide simply will list the key terms, names, theories, etc. you will need to know.

Ability to make-up a missed exam relies on a documented excuse. If you miss an exam you will be required to write
a 10 page research paper (due within 10 days of the test). The instructor will choose the topic based on those
covered on the exam. You will need to cite at least 5 academic sources (peer reviewed articles and scholarly books)
following the ASA style guide.

Research Paper:
A central component of this course is to develop expertise in a particular area of globalization. Thus, there will be
one assigned research paper due at the end of the semester. You will have a chance to choose a topic from the major
areas covered in the course (history of globalization; theories of globalization; economic globalization; political
globalization; cultural globalization; the anti-globalization movement; terrorism and globalization; global social
movements; and global environmentalism).
Papers are required to be between 2000-3000 words (not including citations), typed, double-spaced, 12 pt., Times
New Roman font. Please pay careful attention to grammar and structure of your paper. Be sure to begin with an
introduction, with a clear thesis statement, move through a body section with logical support for your argument, and
finally conclude with a restatement of the thesis and an explanation of how it was proven in the paper.
At least five scholarly sources are required, these may included journal articles, conference papers, scholarly books,
and textbooks (beyond those used in class). Sources beyond the five required may also include magazine and
newpaper articles (from well-know, respected sources only). Please use the ASA Format (see ASA Style Guide at
http://www.calstatela.edu/library/bi/rsalina/asa.styleguide.html) when citing materials.
Elements of the paper will be due throughout the course:
1. Topic selection (10 pts)
2. Subtopic selection (10 pts)
3. Bibliography of initial five sources (formatted in ASA style) (25 pts)
4. Thesis statement (5 pts)
5. Brief (5 min) presentation of paper topic to class including 2-3 Power Point slides (30 pts)
6. Rough draft of paper (20 pts)
7. Final paper (100 pts)

Attendance:
Attendance is required. Attendance is vitally important for the understanding of the material and participation in the
class discussions. Attendance will be taken on five random occasions throughout the semester. Four of these
attendance checks will count for 25 pts each for a total of 100 pts (10% of the final grade). Thus, if you are present
for four of the five random checks, you will receive full credit for attendance. The fifth will count as an extra 10 pt
bonus for perfect attendance. If you are absent for any reason, you will not receive credit for the missed day.
Religious/Cultural Holidays:
You have the right to observe major religious/cultural holidays without penalty. At least one week before the
holiday, you should submit a written statement that includes both the date of the holiday and the reason why class
attendance is impossible. Prior arrangements must be made. If prior arrangements have been made, you will not be
penalized.

Illness:
If you are absent due to personal illness, or illness of a dependent, you must provide written documentation to that
effect. Acceptable documentation includes doctor’s note (on office letterhead), hospital record, or records from a
recognized medical/healthcare agency.

Extra Credit:
You will be given the option of up to five 10 pts extra credit assignments (50 pts total or +5% to final grade).
Throughout the semester there will be the possibility of writing 2-3 page (typed) reaction papers for outside lectures
and presentations, special TV programs, and other events that will be announced in class. ALL EXTRA CREDIT IS
DUE BY THE LAST DAY OF CLASS.

This semester there will be special opportunity to receive extra credit by attending any of the CCI- Human Rights
Film Festival showings listed below. Attend the showing and write a 2-3 page reaction paper for credit:
All films starting at 6:30pm and followed by facilitated discussion on the film and related topics.
Films will be shown in McIver 28 except 27 Sep - Osama to be screened in the Multicultural Resource Center
Date Film Topics
Battle of Algiers (La Battaglia di
10-Sep Revolutionary War, Algeria, Torture, Terrorism
Algeri)
Globalization, NAFTA, Maquiladoras, Environmentalism,
18-Sep Maquilopolis
Grassroots Movements
20-Sep Long Night’s Journey into Day Apartheid, South Africa, Truth and Reconciliation
27-Sep Osama Gender, Taliban, Religion, Afghanistan
1-Oct Moolaadé Gender, Female Circumcision, Burkino Faso, Modernization
Undocumented Immigration, Human Smuggling, Border
9-Oct Dying to Get In
Enforcement
22-Oct Dirty Pretty Things Migration, Global Crime, Stratification
5-Nov In This World Refugees, Human Smuggling, Afghanistan
Globalization, WTO/IMF, Neoliberal Reform, Tourism,
12-Nov Life and Debt
Global Stratification
Night and Fog (Nuit et
12-Nov Holocaust, Auschwitz, Concentration Camps
brouillard)
20-Nov Invisible Children Uganda, Civil War, Child Soldiers
Sponsors: the Center for Critical Inquiry in the Liberal Arts, the Department of Religious Studies, the Office of
Multicultural Affairs, the Women's and Gender Studies Program, the Center for New North Carolinians, the
Department of Sociology, the Department of English, the Lloyd International Honors Program, the Jewish Studies
Program, and the Sociology Club.

Special Needs and Considerations:

Please let me know at the beginning of the semester if you have a physical or learning disability that may need
accommodations. The college will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities.
Students should also notify Student Services of any special needs.
 COURSE SCHEDULE
Course content may be adapted from this outline to meet the needs of this particular class. All dates are tentative; we
may need to make adjustments to the schedule as the course progresses. Additional information about
topics/assignments will be available in class and from the course Blackboard website.

Lect Date Topic Readings & Other Media HW# Assignments

#
1. Sills "Overview of Globalization"
1 21-Aug Introduction and Overview http://www.uncg.edu/~sjsills/Globalizat
ion_edited_11-25-2006_Sills.pdf
2. Eitzen & Baca Zinn Ch1
3. Steger Ch 1 Topic area
4. Giddens “Gloablisation” (watch the selection for
paper
lecture)
2 23-Aug Globalization and Global Societies http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/video/ev HW1
ents99/reith_lectures/globevi.ram
5. Eitzen & Baca Zinn Ch 2 (readings 1, 2,
& 3)
6. Eitzen & Baca Zinn Ch 2 (readings 4, 5,
3 28-Aug Is Globalization a New Phenomena? & 6) HW2
7. Steger Ch 2
4 30-Aug Debating Globalization 8. Eitzen & Baca Zinn Ch 3
9. Brahm “Globalization, Modernity, and Subtopic
selection for
5 4-Sep Globalization and Modernity Their Discontents,” HW3 paper
http://faculty.unlv.edu/ericbrahm/global
izationreview.pdf
10. Steger Ch 6 Extra Credit –
Reaction Paper
6 6-Sep Ideologies of Globalization 11. Newman “History of Oil” HW4 Write a reaction to the
http://video.google.com/videoplay?doci video “ History of Oil”
d=7374585792978336967
12. Martínez-Vela “World Systems
Theory”
http://web.mit.edu/esd.83/www/noteboo
7 11-Sep World Systems Theory k/WorldSystem.pdf HW5
13. Lechner “World-System Theory”
http://www.sociology.emory.edu/global
ization/theories01.html
In Class Activity
14. Parenti “Imperialism 101” #1
http://www.michaelparenti.org/Imperial
ism101.html Extra Credit –
Reaction Paper
NeoImperialism 15. Howe “American Empire: The History Write a reaction to the
8 13-Sep and Future of an Idea” HW6 video “ Stealing a
Video Excerpt: Pirates and Emperors (or, http://www.globalpolicy.org/empire/hist Nation”
http://video.google.co
Size Does Matter) ory/2003/0612idea.htm m/videoplay?docid=-
16. “Stealing a Nation” 3667764379758632511

http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/guides/st
ealguide.pdf
17. Lechner “World Polity Theory”
http://www.sociology.emory.edu/global
ization/theories02.html
9 18-Sep World Polity and World Culture Theories HW7
18. Lechner “World Culture Theory”
http://www.sociology.emory.edu/global
ization/theories03.html
Extra Credit –
Economic Globalization Reaction Paper
Write a reaction to the
19. Steger - Ch 3 video “The New rulers
10 20-Sep HW8
Video Excerpt: Broken Promises(Bill of The World”
http://video.google.co
Moyers) m/videoplay?docid=-
7932485454526581006
25-Sep Exam 1
11 27-Sep Economic Globalization: Global Supply 20. Eitzen & Baca Zinn Ch 4 HW9 Extra Credit –
Reaction Paper
 Write a reaction to the
video “Globalisation is
Good”
Chain http://video.google.co
m/videoplay?docid=56
33239795464137680
Bibliography of
initial five sources
(formatted in ASA
style)
Economic Globalization: Global Workers 21. Blanding “Coke: The New Nike”
12 2-Oct http://www.thenation.com/doc/2005041 Extra Credit –
Video: Maquilopolis 1/blanding Reaction Paper
TLC: Video -
GLOBAL
ASSEMBLY LINE.
VH9700 c.1
In Class Activity
#2
Extra Credit –
22. Sills “Philippine Labor Migration to Reaction Paper
Taiwan: Social, Political, Demographic, No Sweat “The
13 4-Oct Export Processing Zones and Economic Dimensions.” HW10 Case For
http://www.migrationletters.com/20070 Solidarity”
1/20070101_sills.pdf http://video.google.
com/videoplay?doci
d=44370689246028
60186
14 9-Oct Political Globalization 23. Steger - Ch 4 HW11

15 11-Oct Power and Politics 24. Eitzen & Baca Zinn Ch 5 HW12

16-Oct No Class Fall Break

16 18-Oct Globalization as Cultural Process 25. Steger - Ch 5 HW13

26. Eitzen & Baca Zinn Ch 6

Cultural Homogeneity, Hybridization, and 27. Doshi "Reversing Flows: Pop Culture,
17 23-Oct East to West" HW14
“reverse flow”
http://www.sameerdoshi.com/AsianPop
cult.htm
Extra Credit –
Cultural Globalization The Power of 28. Moore “UN Body Endorses Cultural Reaction Paper
Protection US Objections Are Turned “Outfoxed”
Media
18 25-Oct Aside” HW15 http://video.google.
com/videoplay?doci
Video excerpts: Media Globalization http://www.globalpolicy.org/globaliz/cu
d=67370977434349
ltural/2005/1021body.htm 02428
29. Fowler “Converting the Masses:
19 30-Oct Glocalization Starbucks in China”
http://www.globalpolicy.org/globaliz/cu
ltural/2003/0710starbucks.htm
20 1-Nov Globalization of Terror 30. Eitzen & Baca Zinn Ch 7 HW16
Thesis Statement
31. Maisami “Islam and Globalization” Due
http://www.fountainmagazine.com/print
Islam, Fundamentalism, & Globalization Extra Credit –
.php?SIN=040923981c&k=33&191667 Reaction Paper
21 6-Nov 8321&show=part1 HW17 Parenti “Terrorism,
Video Excerpts: National Geographic - 32. Davis and Robinson 2007 “Freedom on Globalism, and
Holy War Inc. the march? Bush’s democracy doctrine Conspiracy”
http://video.google.co
for the Muslim world” Contexts. 6 (2): m/videoplay?docid=65
22-27 73660441809242121&
q=parenti&hl=en
8-Nov Exam 2
33. Steger - Ch 7
34. Trailer for "This Is What Democracy
Looks Like"
http://video.google.com/videoplay?doci
d=8522126288117744363
22 13-Nov Anti-Globalization Movements HW18
35. Meyer “How Social Movements
Matter”
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=5
46092131&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=15
109&RQT=309&VName=PQD
23 15-Nov Global Student Movements 36. Eitzen & Baca Zinn Ch 10 HW19
(Guest Presentation from STAND) 37. Watch Kevane “Understanding Darfur
 and Sudan for Activists”
http://video.google.com/videoplay?doci
d=-8710663943449172339
38. BBC News “Q&A: Sudan's Darfur
conflict”
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/paget
ools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/34
96731.stm
NO CLASS rough draft of paper due
20-Nov
Submit electronically
22-Nov No Class Fall Break
brief (5 min)
presentation of paper
25 27-Nov Student Presentations topic to class including
2-3 PowerPoint slides
brief (5 min)
presentation of paper
26 29-Nov Student Presentations topic to class including
2-3 PowerPoint slides
brief (5 min)
presentation of paper
27 4-Dec Student Presentations topic to class including
2-3 PowerPoint slides
In Class Activity
#4
Global Problems & Global Solutions: 39. Eitzen & Baca Zinn Ch 9
28 6-Dec HW20
Changing World Society All EC due by
this date
Reading Day
RESEARCH PAPER DUE
Final Exam Noon–3:00 P.M.