LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student is able to know and understand the main theoretical and empirical aspects of the globalization processes and how these have been developing in last decades at different levels and in different institutional frames, creating new forms of interconnection and interdependence. The course is also set to provide the student with the critical knowledge to understand the current situation of the globalization processes and discuss the main hypothesis about their development.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Classes are set to provide the students with sociological tools useful to study and understand globalization in its economic, political and cultural aspects.

Students will deal with the main sociological theories of globalization and with its history. Moreover, they will be able to understand, among other issues, the transformation and reorganization of the economy on a global scale, the causes and the consequences of global migration, the debate about a change in the role of Nation-States, the links between technology, culture and the economy, and the reconfiguration of the contemporary international order.

PREREQUISITES

Some basic knowledge of general sociology and contemporary history is required.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal teaching, classes in attendance.

In order to support and integrate textbooks, the teacher will upload teaching materials on Aulaweb, sending also links to videos related to the topics discussed.

Classes are scheduled in the first semester.

According to the rules about the access to the University premises in order to counter the COVID pandemic diffusion, only if necessary, lectures could be delivered also on the TEAMS platform. TEAMS code will be then available on AulaWeb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Globalization processes have economic, political and cultural aspects. They are developing at different levels and in different institutional frames, and they are creating new forms of interconnection and interdependence.

In a first part, classes deal with the main sociological theories of globalization and with its history.

In a second part, they focus on the consequences of these processes on people’s lives and relations in the economic, political and cultural dimensions.

A third, final part will discuss the hypothesis of the slowing down – someone is even arguing about its end - of these processes of interconnection and interdependence on a global scale, as well as the reconfiguration of the new international political order.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Martell L. (2017), The Sociology of Globalization, Polity Press, Cambridge (2nd ed.).

Further updated materials will be provided by the teacher.