Learning objectives
The course aims to achieve the following objectives in relation with specific educational indicators:
a. Knowledge and understanding: The course aims to provide the main theoretical/interpretative frameworks of globalization and its effects on economies and societies;
b. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. Students will develop skills in the analysis of the main factors determining structural changes in European and extra-EU economies, labour markets and societies.
c. Autonomy of judgment. Students will develop a critical sense in judging the functioning and consequences of globalization.
e. Ability to learn. The proposed study method includes lectures, group work, individual analysis, class discussions.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
The course discusses globalization as a political, social and economic phenomenon, starting from the analysis proposed by current sociological thinking. In particular, we will discuss the following issues in connection with changes that globalization has brought about: the economic infrastructure and the labor markets of European and other countries (with a focus on the Gig economy); capitalism, with an in-depth analysis of what has been recently defined as "surveillance capitalism"; as well as those movements and actions of contestation of globalization that have arisen in recent decades. In addition, the course addresses the issue of international migration, analyzing how globalization has changed migration processes on a global scale, and how the flows of economic and humanitarian migrants are managed and perceived in Europe and in high-income countries.
Full programme
The topics covered in the course focus on:
Basic concepts of the sociology of globalization;
Globalization and the labor market (focus on Gig economy);
The surveillance capitalism;
Globalization and international migration;
Collective action and protest against globalization.
Bibliography
a) Selected readings prepared by the teacher
b) Martin Luke, 2018 (2nd ed), The Sociology of Globalization, Cambridge: Polity press.
c) Colin Crouch, 2019, The Globalization Backlash, Cambridge: Polity press
d) Shoshana Zuboff, 2019, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, London: Profile Books.
Teaching methods
Lectures;
Class discussions;
Co-construction of knowledge/students’ led teaching
Group work.
Assessment methods and criteria
Students will be assessed through an oral examination and, for attending students, through their group work presentations (oral presentation to the class or podcast creation), as well as through their role as discussant during presentations, and by contributing to the class co-construction of knowledge by co-teaching sections of lectures.
Other information
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
n.8 Decent work and economic growth
n.9 Industry, Innovation and infrastructure
n.10 Reduced inequalities
