GLOBALIZATION

AND THE

CONTEMPORARY WORLD

 

 

RESOURCES: 

 

Reading 1: Sartre, Existantialism is a Humanism

sartre existentialism is a humanism.pdf

 

LINK TO HUMAN ALL TO HUMAN VIDEO 

 

Reading 2:  Globalization:  Introduction and the Economic Perspective

 

Globalization Briefing Paper.pdf  

 

Democratization Briefing Paper.pdf

 

 

Reading 3:  George Ritzer: The McDonaldization Thesis

 McDonaldization.pdf

 

 

Reading 4:  Thomas Friedman: The World is Flat

World is Flat Summary.pdf

 

 

 

WEBSITE:  Globalization 101 

              This is an EXCELLENT source for in-depth analysis of all of the issues related to globalization. 

 

 

SCHEDULE

 

 

MONDAY, MAY 16

 

READING 2:  The McDonaldization Thesis

                   After reading, answer the following questions.

 

                   In your own words, define McDonaldization.

 

                   Summarize each of the five dimensions of the theory:

 

                    Efficiency

 

                    Calculability

 

                    Predictability

 

                    Control by technology

 

                    Irrationality of rationality

 

                    What forces propel McDonaldization?

 

                    What forces stand to counter the expansion of McDonaldization? 

 

                    Describe the relationship between McDonaldization and globalization (this is a bit tricky!).

 

THIS READING AND THESE QUESTIONS ARE DUE MONDAY, MAY 23 

 

TUESDAY, MAY 17

 

NO SCHOOL!!!  VOTE IN THE PRIMARY!!!

 

Continue reading both Reading 1 and Reading 2.

 

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

 

Discussion:  Globalization:  Introduction and the Economic Perspective

 

What is neoliberalism?  What are its roots?  How does it relate to globalization?

 

What are supply chains?  What is their role in globalization?

 

OBAMA ON GLOBALIZATION

 

 

NOAM CHOMSKY ON GLOBALIZATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday, November 28, 2006, Sebastian Malaby, author of “The World’s Banker” and columnist for the Washington Post was interviewed on Ask the Experts. He discussed the formation of the World Bank and its approach to development, as well the tenure of James Wolfensohn, as the President of the Bank. College students from Georgetown University and high school students from George Mason High School participated in the event. 

LINK TO MALABY INTERVIEWS

 

Watch Why is the World Bank Controversial:  (3.5 minutes) What objections do leftists have with WB?  Rightwing? 

 

 

THURSDAY, MAY 19

 

TOPIC:  Case study look at the impact of globalization: The Coffee Industry

 

Cup of Joe Coffee and Globalization.doc  

 

 

 

FRIDAY, MAY 20

 

TOPIC:  The World is Flat? Really?

 

Reading:  Summary of Friedman's The World is Flat 

 

 

 

 

MONDAY, MAY 22

 

TOPIC:  The Rise of the Corporation

 

DUE TODAY: McDonaldization reading questions

 

VIDEO:  The Corporation

 

Objectives:

List criticisms of corporations.

What arguments presented in the video are the strongest?

If these arguments are true, describe the implications of the  actions of a corporation on a "globalized" world.

 

If you're interested.... here's the website for the video with a lot more info

 

TUESDAY, MAY 23

 

Conlcusion: Corporation and McDonaldization.

 

 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 

 

Discussion:  The Corporation and McDonaldization

 

What arguments about the destructive behavior of corporations seemed most compelling?

 

Who ought to bear the responsibility for restraining or preventing this behavior?  Consider all possibilities.

 

Discuss the dimensions of McDonaldization.  What examples can we think of?

 

What are the benefits of McDonaldization?

 

Can we argue that McDonaldization is dehumanizing?

 

ADBUSTER LINK

 

Second Half of Class:  Intro to Sartre and Existentialism

 

 

 

sartre existentialism is a humanism.pdf