Learning Guide Unit 1

Discussion Assignment

Various theories on globalization exist. Choose two from the readings and describe each—one you agree with
and one you disagree with—briefly describe each theory, and explain your reasons for agreement and
disagreement.

Discussion Guidelines

Share your thoughts and ideas on this week’s discussion forum prompts in a couple of paragraphs.
Respond to at least 3 peers. Your post to each peer must be relevant to the week’s topic and should be
more than a simple statement of agreement.
Be kind, respectful, and resourceful on this forum. Speak with kindness, give your fellow classmates respect,
and be resourceful to them by provided additional information about your topic, to ensure the conversation
is ongoing.
Please return throughout the week to continue to participate and respond to anyone who has responded to
you.
Be sure to cite any resources that you use in APA format.  Direct quotes should not be used in discussions. 
Learning Guide Unit 1
Introduction

Welcome to our first unit of Globalization. In this course, we will explore the influences on globalization and its development,
the issues and concerns around globalization, and the potential benefits and implications of globalization. We will look at this
topic from a variety of different global perspectives, and you will have the opportunity to share your own thoughts on this
process.

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Learning Guide Unit 1
Learning Journal

For this Learning Journal, you will choose a case study from the four available in the following resource:

Auguston, A., Friedman, T., Mehling, K. C., Pier, D., Wolfe, T., & Zerzan, R. (2014). The Global citizen student
reader: Globalization. United Nations Association. Download the PDF
(https://my.uopeople.edu/pluginfile.php/1281228/mod_book/chapter/289420/U1LJ-Globalization.pdf).
(https://my.uopeople.edu/pluginfile.php/1281228/mod_book/chapter/289420/U1%20Student%20Reader2.Global

The cases are as follows:

1)      Mexican Government Advises Migrants (page 9)

2)      Liberian Plantation Workers Allege Poor Conditions (page 10)

3)      Charities Hijacked by Terrorism? (page 11)

4)      Call Center Jobs, Once Offshored to India, Now Offshored from India (page 12)

After you choose and carefully read through the case study, answer the following questions:

How did globalization change some people’s lives? How did the changes lead to a conflict?
What was the proposed solution(s) to the conflict? How satisfactory was the solution to each party?
Can you imagine a way to avoid or resolve similar conflicts in the future, even if rapid globalization
continues?
Over the years, in what ways has your region become more globalized? 
How can you see the results of this today? If you cannot see the results of this today, why?

The journal entry should be about a page in length.  If applicable, be sure to cite any resources you use to
support your learning journal. 
Learning Guide Unit 1
Overview

Unit 1: Introduction to Globalization

Topics:

Exploring the meaning of globalization

Historical foundations of globalization
Theories of globalization
Debates over globalization

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this Unit you will be able to:

Identify the historical influences on trends in globalization.

Compare and contrast the theories of globalization.
Defend various perspectives of the debates over globalization.
Identify conflicts that occur due to globalization and examining viable solutions.

Tasks:

Introduce yourself to the class on the Course Forum

Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignment
Participate in the Discussion Assignment
Respond to at least three Discussion Forum posts written by your fellow classmates
Make entries to the Learning Journal

Take the Self-Quiz

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Learning Guide Unit 1
Reading Assignment

First, be sure to thoroughly read the Syllabus for this course available in the “General Information and Forums” section of the
course home page.

1. The Counsel on Foreign Relations. (2021). What is globalization?  World101 Global Era

Issues. https://world101.cfr.org/global-era-issues/globalization/what-globalization (https://world101.cfr.org/global-era-
issues/globalization/what-globalization)

Review the following:

What is Globalization?
It Takes a Village to Make Your Medicine
Six Essential International Organizations You Need to Know
Hitting Home: When Global Becomes Local
How Globalization Affects What's for Brunch
Big in China: The Global Market for Hollywood Movies
Two Hundred Years of Global Communications
Human Trafficking in the Global Era

2. Lechner, F. (2001). Globalization theories. The Globalization

Website. https://web.archive.org/web/20130529201438/http://sociology.emory.edu:80/faculty/globalization/theories01.html
(https://web.archive.org/web/20130529201438/http://sociology.emory.edu:80/faculty/globalization/theories01.html)

Three primary theories for how globalization was developed are provided. They are:

(https://web.archive.org/web/20130529201438/http://sociology.emory.edu:80/faculty/globalization/theories01.html)
(https://web.archive.org/web/20130529201438/http://sociology.emory.edu:80/faculty/globalization/theories01.html)
(https://web.archive.org/web/20130529201438/http://sociology.emory.edu:80/faculty/globalization/theories01.html)World
System Theory
(https://web.archive.org/web/20130529201438/http://sociology.emory.edu:80/faculty/globalization/theories01.html) 
World Polity Theory
(https://web.archive.org/web/20131216063624/http://sociology.emory.edu:80/faculty/globalization/theories02.html)
World Culture Theory
(https://web.archive.org/web/20130602170544/http://sociology.emory.edu/faculty/globalization/theories03.html)

Debates over the meaning and merits of globalization:

1. Kharas, H, & McArthur, J. (2016, October 5). Can globalization be rescued from itself? Brookings.
https://www.brookings.edu/research/can-globalization-be-rescued-from-itself/ (https://www.brookings.edu/research/can-
globalization-be-rescued-from-itself/)

2. Collins, M. (2015, May 6). The pros and cons of globalization. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikecollins/2015/05/06/the-pros-and-cons-of-globalization/#7abebc55ccce

(https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikecollins/2015/05/06/the-pros-and-cons-of-globalization/#7abebc55ccce)

3. Cultural globalization. (n.d.). InternationalRelations.org. http://internationalrelations.org/cultural-globalization/

(http://internationalrelations.org/cultural-globalization/)

Videos (All videos have closed captioning or transcripts available). 

1. Brown, S. (n.d.). Globalization theories [Video]. Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/society-and-

culture/demographics/v/globalization-theories (https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/society-and-
culture/demographics/v/globalization-theories)

2. Explainity Channel. (2013, Jul 11). Globalization easily explained. [Video]. YouTube. 

Globalization explained (explainity® ex…

ex…

3. Friedman, T. (2009, November 18). Globalization after September 11th [Video]. YouTube:  

Globalization After September 11th

 
4. Introduction to Sociology. (2016, April 4). Globalization and culture [Video]. YouTube. 

Globalization and culture



5. Rolin Corporation. (2015, Mar 6). What is globalization? [Video]. YouTube. 

What is globalization

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Learning Guide Unit 1
Self-Quiz

The Self-Quiz gives you an opportunity to self-assess your knowledge of what you have learned so far.

The results of the Self-Quiz do not count towards your final grade, but the quiz is an important part of the
University’s learning process and it is expected that you will take it to ensure understanding of the materials
presented. Analyzing your results will help you perform better on future Graded Quizzes and the Final Exam.

Please access the Self-Quiz on the main course homepage; it will be listed inside the Unit.

Learning Guide Unit 1

Supplemental Resources

You are not required to read or view the resources included here.  However, you can find new ideas and/or questions raised
to enhance your discussion posts and written assignments. 

Read about Brexit: 

Contractor, F. J. (2016. June 28). Globalization’s angst and the “Brexit” vote. YaleGlobal
Online. http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/globalizations-angst-and-brexit-vote
(http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/globalizations-angst-and-brexit-vote)

Read about Migration Trends: 

Chamie, J. (2016, June 30). Migration trend: Young move to lands of aging rich. YaleGlobal
Online. http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/migration-trend-young-and-poor-move-lands-aging-rich
(http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/migration-trend-young-and-poor-move-lands-aging-rich)

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