Fall 2003

GOV 365N • Global Change: Regional Response

Course Description

Course number may be repeated for credit when topics vary. This course examines change in world politics and economics that are producing "globalization," and asks what this means for various countries and regions of the world. Is globalization a threatening force that should be contained, or should it be celebrated and promoted? How is it affecting prospects for world peace, development, democracy, and the environment? Who are the winners and losers? Whate are the roles and responsibilities of the US in these world-wide processes? Our central goal will be to analyze globalization's implications for development and democracy in the developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Much of current discussion and debate over globalization aims at taking stock of the worldwide political and economic changes that have been unleashed in the past 10-20 years; charting uneveness in the distribution of global opportunity, risk, and reward; and assessing the normative and political implications thereof. Course materials are organized to give students an overview of the dilemmas and debates so that they are better equipped to participate in discussion. The class is divided into three main parts: Part I: Rise of "Globalism" Part II: Global Markets, Regional Responses Part III: Global Issues: Health, Human Rights, the Environment Coursework in each part will consist of assigned readings, lecture, in-class discussion, and exams.

Grading Policy

Students need to do all assigned course readings and attend all course meetings. You need to KEEP UP WITH THE READINGS and pay attention to class discussions in order to do well on the exams. Always pay special attention to how the various readings assigned for one day fit together. Are the different writers talking about the same thing? Do they agree with each other? Do they contradict each other? 5 exams Your final grade will be the average of your best 4 scores (you can drop or miss one exam).

Texts

The following texts will be ordered for this class. They will also be placed on reserve at the PCL. Peter Dicken. Global Shift: Transforming the World Economy. New York and London: Guilford Press, 1998 (or most recent edition). ISBN 1 57230-303-4 Annual Editions. Developing World 03/04. Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill, 2003. ISBN 0 07 283 855 8 Course Packet - a packet of course readings is available for purchase at Paradigm Books, 407 W. 24th St., 472-7986. Readings included in the packet are marked by an asterisk (*) on the syllabus. The packet will also be on reserve at the PCL.

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