SOCI3007
Global Social Transformations

Prerequisite:

Non-Year 1 standing

This course will examine major debates on global social, economic, and political transformations. It has three major parts. The first part will study major theorizations of globalization, exploring different social thinkers' visions of socioeconomic arrangements and personal existence under the condition of globality. Relevant social thinkers might include Anthony Giddens, Ulrich Beck, David Harvey, Manuel Castells, Mike Featherstone, among others. The second part will focus on the global integration of economic activities. It will examine whether economic globalization has actually occurred and, if so, the novel arrangements associated with economic production and coordination. It will also examine the social implications of global economic integration, analyzing its impacts on alleviating poverty and income inequality on a global scale, as well as challenges and hardships it imposes on people from different parts of the world. The third part will target on global economic integration and the state. In particular, it will examine whether globalization has led to the eclipse of the developmental and welfare state, and whether the new consciousness of 'global citizenship' has emerged. The last point will be explored through case studies of various 'global' social movements.