Contemporary World Module, Lecture notes of Mathematics

Download Contemporary World Module and more Lecture notes Mathematics in PDF only on Docsity! DOMINICAN COLLEGE OF TARLAC Mac Arthur Highway, Poblacion (Sto.Cristo), Capas. 2315 Tarlac, Philippines Tel.No. (045) 491-7579/Telefax (045) 925-0519 E-mail: domct _2315@yahoo.com COLLEGE DEPARTMENT A.Y. 2020-2021, First Semester OBE FACULTY-DESIGNED MODULE THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD (GE 3) Prepared by: HAZEL P. JAOS, LPT GE 3 – THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD – MODULE 1 Page 2 MODULE 1 The Task of Describing Globalization GE 3 – THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD – MODULE 1 Page 5 it can include a variety of issues that deal with overcoming traditional boundaries. However, it does not shed light on the implications of globalization due to its vagueness. Narrow and exclusive definitions are better justified but can be limiting in the sense that their application adhere to only particular definitions. Robert Cox’s definition suits best in this type “the characteristics of the globalization trend include the internationalizing of production, the new international division of labor, new migratory movements from South to North, the new competitive environment that accelerates these processes, and the internationalizing of the state… makes states into agencies of the globalizing world” (as cited in RAWOO Netherlands Development Assistance Research Council, 2000, p. 14). No matter how one classifies a definition of globalization, the concept is complex and multifaceted as the definitions deal with either economic, political, or social dimensions. In fact, in a comprehensive study of 114 definitions by the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) in 2006, 67 of them refer to economic dimension. These definitions include political and social dimensions as well. The sheer number and complexity of definitions do not mean that there is a remarkable improvement in every definition given by scholars. Kumar (2003) took on a different argument and what it is are similar. This is in relation to what some academics have claimed about globalization - it is a useless task. GE 3 – THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD – MODULE 1 Page 6 A more recent definition was given by Ritzer (2015), “globalization is a transplanetary process or a set of processes involving increasingly liquidity and the growing multidirectional flows of people, objects, places, and information as well as the structures they encounter and create that are barriers to, or expedite those flows…” (p. 2). Generally, this definition assumes that globalization could bring either or both integration and/or fragmentation. Although things flow easily in a global world, hindrances or structural blocks are also present. These blocks could slow down one’s activity in another country or could even limit the places a person can visit. If so, why are we going to spend time studying this concept? How can we appreciate these definitions? How can these help us understand globalization? The overview of definitions implies that globalization is many things to many different people. In 1996, Arjun Appadurai said, “globalization is a ‘world of things’ that have ‘different speeds, axes, points of origin and termination, and varied relationships to institutional structures in different regions, nations, or societies’” (as cited in Chowdury, 2006, p. 37). In a more recent study, Al-Rhodan (2006) wrote that definitions suggest the perspective of the author on the origins and the geopolitical implications of globalization. It is a starting point that will determine concrete steps in addressing the issues of globalization. For example, if one sees globalization as positive, the person can say that it is unifying force. On the other hand, if it is deemed as creating greater inequalities among nations, globalization is negatively treated. One became part and parcel of the other. As Poppi (1997) wrote: “The literature stemming from the debate on globalization has grown in the last decade beyond any individual’s capability of extracting a workable definition of the concept. In a sense, the meaning of the concept is self- evident, in another, it is vague and obscure as its reaches are wide and constantly shifting. Perhaps, more than any other concept, globalization is the debate about it” (as cited in Kumar, 2003, p. 95). GE 3 – THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD – MODULE 1 Page 7 It is changing as human society develops. It has happened before and is still happening today. We should expect it to continue to happen in the future. The future of globalization is more difficult to predict. What we could expect in the coming years is what has happened over the past 50 years and that is the fluidity and complexity of globalization as a concept, which made more debates, discussions, and definitions than agreements on it. Overall, globalization is a concept that is not easy to define because in reality, globalization has a shifting nature. It is complex, multifaceted, and can be influenced by the people who define it. Moreover, the issues and concerns involving globalization have a wide range - from the individua society, from small communities to nations and states, and from the benefits we can gain from it to the costs it could carry. In his article, “The Globalization of Nothing,” Ritzer (2003) said, “attitudes toward globalization depend, among other things, on whether one gains or losses from it” (p. 190). Nevertheless, the task of defining globalization should stimulate more discussions about it. More importantly, the act that we experience globalization should give one the interest of engaging in the study of it. METAPHORS OF GLOBALIZATION In order for us to better understand the concept of globalization, we will utilize metaphors. Metaphors make use of one term to help us better understand another term. In our case, the states of matter - solid - liquid - will be used. In additions, other related concepts that are included in the definition such as structure and flows will be elaborated. GE 3 – THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD – MODULE 1 Page 10 2. global financial crises 3. illegal migrants 4. the virtual flow of legal and illegal information 5. immigrants recreating ethnic enclaves Answer the following questions. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using (a) broad and inclusive definitions and (b) narrow and exclusive definitions of globalization? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ 2. What do you think is the importance of defining globalization? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Activity 2 Analysis GE 3 – THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD – MODULE 1 Page 11 _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Answer the following questions. 1. Do you agree with the idea that the contemporary world is characterized by high liquidity? Why or why not? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ 2. Using a visual representation, create your generalizations and discuss: What is globalization? How would you define globalization? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Activity 3 Abstraction GE 3 – THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD – MODULE 1 Page 12 _______________________________________________________________________ We discussed the different definitions of globalization. In this global age that we live in, globalization gained various views from many authors and scholars. In turn, these diverse definitions can affect how one can appreciate globalization as a process. Furthermore, we analyzed globalization through conceptual metaphors such as solids, liquids, and flows. In this activity, you are to see the actual application of globalization on the different aspects of daily life such as politics, music, sports, film, celebrity, and disaster. Answer the following questions. 1. Enumerate at least three of the most recent songs you have listened. Where did they originate? Identify the nationality of the writer and/or artist for each music. _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ 2. What gadgets or devices do you usually use to listen to music? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ 3. Where were these gadgets or devices made? Where is the company based? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Activity 4 Application