GS 01 - Introduction to Global Studies

Professor: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue
Department of Global Studies and Geography
Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York 11549 USA
Jean-paul.Rodrigue@hofstra.edu
Phone: (516) 463-5765. Fax: (516) 463-6519.

Outline

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Globalization is a commonly used term to reflect the growing economic, social and cultural interrelations between regions of the world. This course analyses the diverse process of globalization through a variety of perspectives. Global studies are a broad field which is reflected in the interdisciplinary nature of the course.

The course is divided into two main parts. The first, considers the economic dimensions of globalization, paying particular attention to the debates about this process and the effect that globalization has on regions, nations, cities, communities and people. The second part of the course is more directly concerned with the political, social and cultural dimensions of globalization, particularly the debates about governance, global cities, the homogenization of culture and migration. The course then concludes about how globalization may unfold in the future.

The main objectives of the course are:

• Students will be familiarized with the political and economic processes of globalization, particularly as it relates to such concepts as capitalism, trade, and transportation and their impacts on economic, cultural, and social activities.
• Students will be introduced to demographic, social, and cultural attributes such as migration, cultural identity, and changing gender roles.
• Students will learn the relationships between the global, the regional, and the local, particularly how places are inserted in regional and global processes.
• Students will understand the concept of place and how it is connected to people’s sense of belonging both to the physical environment, landscape, and culture.

PowerPoint Slides

• Topic 1 - What is Globalization?
• Topic 2A - The Global Economy, Part A
• Topic 2B - The Global Economy, Part B
• Topic 3A - Countervailing Forces to Globalization, Part A
• Topic 3B - Countervailing Forces to Globalization, Part B
• Topic 4 - International Institutions and Governance
• Topic 5 - Migration and Health
• Topic 6 - Global Cities
• Topic 7 - Global Culture
• Topic 8 - The Future of Globalization

Dr. Rodrigue's research interests mainly cover the fields of economic and transport geography as they relate to freight distribution. Area interests involve East and Southeast Asia (particularly China) and North America, notably concerning transportation, distribution and trade issues. Specific topics cover transport systems and logistics, global supply chains and production networks, gateways and transport corridors, urban regions, economic integration, international trade and regional development. Current projects involve:

• The Governance of Intermodal Transportation Assets
• The Transport Geography of Logistics
• Gateways, Corridors and Inland Freight Distribution
• Globalization and Transport Terminals