This lecture sets the conceptual framework for our investigation into globalisation, gender and culture. We begin to engage with the range of conversations that have taken place around the term globalisation and how it is understood. In particular, we are interested in its impacts on peoples lives, culture/s and the gendered implications of this. Globalisation is a major feature of contemporary life and shapes many aspects of our daily lives, in ways that this unit will make transparent.
What you need to do
The reading for this week is extensive. It raises many of the key issues we will interrogate in the unit. It is useful as background to the readings for the remainder of the unit and for assignments. We will discuss them in detail in the tutorial, to help you work through them.
Essential reading McGrew, A. (2011). Globalization and Global Politics. In The Globalization of World Politics: An introduction to international relations. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 14- 31. [In case you have not read it yet.]
Giroux, A. (2005). Cultural Studies in Dark Times: Public Pedagogy and the Challenge of neoliberalism. Fast capitalism 1 (2), 1-16. http://www.henryagiroux.com/online_articles/DarkTimes.htm
Bruinsma, J. Ed (2012). World Agriculture: Towards 2015/2030: An FAO perspective. London: Earthscan Publications Ltd, 265-296.
Eisenstein, Z. (2009). Ch/India and New-Old Economies. In The Audacity of Races and Genders: A Personal and Global Story of the Obama Election. London and New York: Zed Books, 1926.
Eisenstein, Z. (2009). Gender Bending With the Globe. In The Audacity of Races and Genders: A Personal and Global Story of the Obama Election. London and New York: Zed Books, 2734.
Think about From current media stories note key world events; such as the political instability and atrocities that are occurring in Syria, and think about whether there are global aspects to the situation. Identify transnational companies in current media stories; note their names, where they are operating and any other information that seems relevant.
Murdoch Uni versi ty 18 Learni ng outcomes
On successful completion of this weeks topic, you will be able to: discuss some basic ideas about globalisation. You will be able to identify the connection between global economics and social/ cultural issues. You will be aware that gender (masculine and feminine) is central to social/ cultural issues. You should be able to identify and begin to discuss and critique the positive and negative consequences of globalisation. You will be able to develop and engage with questions that facilitate analysis. For example: What drives globalisation? What characterizes globalisation? Are we facing the demise of the nation-state and the emergence of a world culture?
Key concepts
Globalisation, international capitalism, economics, gender, cultural politics, world culture