Culture and Globalization

This week’s readings help us think about the economics of prison expansion. In your own words but referencing the readings, explain how the contemporary prison is related to our globalized world economy.

With that political economic analysis in mind, how can we connect the modern prison system to the factory system depicted in the documentary China Blue?

In previous weeks, we talked about the rise of service industries in an era of globalization (related to the growth of  stadia construction,and tourist enclaves). We have also looked at the importance of communication technologies to our world economy, especially internet-based ones. This week, our readings point to the connections of manufacturing and other forms of routinized labor to both the service industry (Apple stores) and the circulation of goods themselves. The readings point to how even video game play can become a form of labor. In your response for this week, discuss the most interesting things you learned from each reading, and reflect on what you think the ethical and political implications might be for those of us who consume these goods (which might be just about everyone).

This week’s readings look at a variety of “flows” in the context of globalization — the flow of people, ideas, and resources. In your response, discuss some of the ways each article helps us think about gender in transnational terms and in terms of the unevenness of capitalism. Also, reflect a little on your own sense or experience of gender, and how it connects to the readings in some way.

Last week’s readings helped us think about the important place of the city in processes of globalization. In this response, reflect on how this week’s readings help us think about the ways globalization affects the land itself and natural resources. Furthermore, how are indigenous communities impacted by this? You should use each of the readings to support your claims. It may also be helpful to think about some of the key concepts from last week and how they connect to this week’s issues.

Summarize briefly what you take to be a key idea from each of these articles: Harvey on “flexible accumulation” and either one of the two Sassen articles. Then, apply one of those key ideas to either the Crockett or the Bentley articles. In other words, how does the key idea offered by Harvey or Sassen help us understand issues raised in the Crockett or Bentley?

Posts are due by 1pm, Wednesday, September 26.

The authors argue in Chapter V that imperialism and world war are key to understanding the history of globalization. In your own words, summarize why this is the case. Then, in Chapter VI, they characterize the post-WWII era as “globalization split in two.” What do they mean by this, and what does it have to do with the new institutions of the global economy they describe?

Your responses are due by 1pm, Wednesday, September 19.

In your own words, briefly summarize how the authors depict globalization, and what they mean by interactions and networks (Chapters I and II). Then, discuss one example from Chapter III and one from Chapter IV that illustrate globalization in terms of interactions and networks.

Your response must be at least 300 words, and is due by 1pm, Wednesday, September 12. For further helpful information on writing a successful response, please visit the Discussion Prompts page of our site.

Welcome to CULT 320: Culture and Globalization. We are going to have a jam-packed, exciting semester together. In order to facilitate fun and informative class discussion, I want us to start by introducing ourselves.

Please tell us who you are, what you’re doing this semester (at Mason, or elsewhere), and something you hope to take from this class. Click on the comments link above this prompt to post your introduction. Your post is due by 1pm, Wednesday, September 5.