Courses
Summer 2008
GBST 002 : Global Socioeconomic and Political Processes
Professor Susan Ossman
Summer Session II
T/J 1-4 p.m.
Contact info: sossman@ucr.edu
This course is a survey of the economic, political, and physical processes that have made the world more interconnected. It examines contemporary representations of the globe in relation to ecology, media and financial markets. Students are introduced to important changes in world geography that have emerged since the end of the Cold War. They are encouraged to examine the emergence of transnational exchanges through readings on global cities, transportation and migration, and to think about how new kinds of mobility are transforming political ties. In examining the development of global processes and discourses the importance of the consolidation of new regions is highlighted. Each quarter, the course features guest speakers on issues ranging from transnational development strategies to ecology, global culture industries to immigration law.
Fall 2008
GBST OO1 Global Studies: Global History, Culture and Ideas
Professor Anne Sutherland
Th 9:40-11 am
Contact info: annes@ucr.edu | 827-5575
This course examines processes and problems that transcend national boundaries. These include processes that make the world more interconnected such as transnational interactions of people, cultures, economies and communications, as well as fragmenting forces of global politics, violence, and security. We will study global migrations, travel and social movements, media, global economic systems of trade and finance, and issues of global health, disease and environmental change. We will examine fears of cultural homogenization, economic inequalities, and western imperialism in the anti-globalization movement as wells as positive outcomes of globalization. Students will learn to become global thinkers who can reconceptualize the meaning of place in the contemporary world.
Global Studies Seminar 191: Contemporary Global Issues
Professor Anne Sutherland
Fall 2008 W 2-5pm
Contact info: annes@ucr.edu | 827-5575
This is a senior seminar for global studies majors which will count as their capstone requirement. Students in this seminar are expected to take a major role in research and presentation of results to the seminar on specific issues raised by contemporary globalization. These may include global aspects related to the environment, media, NGOs, political and activist organizations, migration, tourism, religion, health and epidemiology, etc. Students will form small groups for purposes of research. Once a topic is identified, the student group will be expected to conduct research on published and internet sources, as well as first hand field research under the direction of the instructor. Each student will write a paper on aspects of the research and each group which will then put those papers together into a final report. The results will be presented with a visual representation (poster or power point).