Overview of Course

Globalization is the process of rising interactions and interconnectedness between states, economies, cultures, and peoples in the world. This course uses an interdisciplinary lens to explore important themes, issues, opportunities and challenges associated with globalization in the world today. We will study the economic, political, cultural, ecological, and digital dimensions of globalization. We will learn the essential facts and trends as well as contending ideas and perspectives in each of these dimensions of globalization. We will investigate the role played by states, markets, society, culture, ideas, identities, people, NGOs, and international institutions in creating the globalization as we know it today. We will discuss the costs and benefits of globalization for different countries and communities. We will speculate on possible future scenarios for globalization and which scenario might be the most desirable and what the world needs to do to get there. Our studies will highlight some of the important and interesting issues associated with globalization in the countries and regions we visit. Students will have opportunities to conduct field research and/or case studies on specific issues of globalization concerning these countries and regions during the voyage. The goal of the course is to enrich our understanding of globalization as a complex process that affects the lives of all peoples in the world. It is also to enrich our understanding of global cultures, global issues, and the countries and regions we visit through the lens of globalization.