Globalization is a controversial issue. Some people believe that globalization offers unlimited positive potential for economic growth, cultural exchange, the expansion of liberal democracy, and advances in technology. Others view globalization as dominated by corporations and wealthy elites, representing the destructive power of capitalism. This course examines the contested meanings and realities of globalization by exploring the development of global capitalism with a focus on changing relationships between markets, states, cultural institutions, and individuals. Questions of power and inequality will be central to our approach. We will also explore the possibilities of transnational activism and global justice movements.

Prerequisite(s): SOCIOL 101