Globalization and World Politics

*Please note- this is a sample syllabus only. Specific course content and format may change semester-to-semester.

AIMS OF THE COURSE:

To introduce the process and concept of globalization and its various aspects or dimensions, such as political, security, economic, societal, and environmental. To approach globalization in an interdisciplinary and critical manner. To apply the knowledge and skills to contemporary political/international issues and envision futures and/or solutions.

LEARNING OUTCOMES AND COMPETENCES:

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able:

• To understand globalization as a process and a concept.
• To appreciate and use an interdisciplinary approach to globalization.
• To apply the knowledge and identify/analyse contemporary political/international issues.
• To critically evaluate the opportunities and threats of globalization.
• To identify the questions, which need to be answered in order to manage the complex political/international reality.

COURSE CONTENT:

The course deals with the phenomenon of „globalization“ and its academic reflections. It understands globalization as a historical process, which transforms not only economy or politics but human society and life as a whole. Therefore, apart from the dynamics of the process, it focuses on its qualitative dimensions. The first part of the course deals with abstract aspects of globalization, such as the process, ideology, and concept itself, the transformation of the State and emancipation of non-state actors, as well as the inconsistencies, threats, or conflicts inherent in globalization. The second part focuses on empirical issues, such as security, economy, development, environment, migration, and science/technology and media. The concept of the course highlights the inseparability and mutual dependence of the various aspects and dimensions, the need for an interdcisciplinary reflection and research, as well as the critical and normative/ethical approach to the study of globalization as a way to asking the right questions and providing feasible and legitimate practical political solutions to the opportunities and threats of globalization.

Assignments
1) Active participation: maximum 40 points

• Attendance: max. 24 points (each lecture/seminar = 1 point)
• Activities: max. 16 points
• At the beginning of each seminar, news and current events will be discussed shortly
• Readings will be discussed during the seminars
• Active involvement in discussion after presentations during the second part of
• semester

2) Team presentations: maximum 15 points

• 6 presentations – broader topics given => to be narrowed down and specified by students
• Each presentation should take about 50 minutes and be as interactive as possible
• Students should prepare questions for discussion

3) Mid-term test: maximum 15 points

• During 8th week, in-class
• Multiple choice questions + open questions (short answers)

4) Final test: maximum 30 points

• Take-home exam - short essays (400-800 words)
• Based on lectures, students´ presentations and readings
• To be submitted by 9th December
• To pass the course it is necessary to reach at least 60 % of all assignments in total, i.e. at least 60
• points.