THE CONTEMPORARY
WORLD
Jay Emmanuel Asuncion, PhD
Course Description
This course introduces students to the contemporary world
by examining the multifaceted phenomenon of
globalization. Using the various disciplines of the social
sciences, it examines the economic, social, political,
technological, and other transformations that have created
an increasing awareness of the interconnectedness of
peoples and places around the globe. To this end, the
course provides an overview of the various debates in
global governance, development, and sustainability. Beyond
exposing the student to the world outside the Philippines, it
seeks to inculcate a sense of global citizenship and global
ethical responsibility.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course the students should be able to:
A. Competencies
1. Distinguish different interpretations and approaches to
globalization
2. Describe the emergence of global economic, political, social,
and cultural systems
3. Analyze the various contemporary drivers of globalization
4. Understand the issues confronting the nation-state
5. Assess the effects of globalization on different social units
and their responses
B.Skills
1. Analyze contemporary news events in the context of globalization
2. Analyze global issues in relation to Filipinos and the Philippines
3. Write a research paper with proper citations on a topic related to globalization
C. Values
1. Articulate personal positions on various global issues
2. Identify the ethical implications of global citizenship
Course Outline:
• - Global Media Cultures - The Globalization of
• Weeks 1-2 Introduction to Globalization Religion
• - Defining globalization • Weeks 12
• Weeks 3-5: The Structures of Globalization • -14: Global Population and Mobility
• - The Global Economy • - The Global City - Global Demography - Global
Migration
• - Market Integration
• Weeks 15
• - The Global Interstate System
• -
• - Contemporary Global Governance
• 16: Towards a Sustainable World
• Weeks 6-8: A World of Regions
• - Sustainable Development - Global Food Security
• - Global Divides: The North and the South
• Weeks 17
• - Asian Regionalism
• -18: Conclusion
• Week 9: Midterm
• - Global Citizenship - Research paper writing
• Weeks 10-11: A World of Ideas
Course Requirements: Class Rules:
• • 𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗘𝗦 (𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗟)
1. Regular quizzes
• 2. Midterm analysis paper
• ✓ GROUP CHAT
• 3. Group reports • - will serve as a communication link for the class (regarding the subject)
• 4. Final research paper • - Instructions will be sent here
• - No late night messages (past 7 PM) unless it is an emergency
• - Greetings are fine but don't flood the gc
• ✓ SYNCHRONOUS CLASSES
• - students are given 5 minutes grace period
• - students entering the room after 10 minutes will no longer be accepted
• - student is excused if the reason is valid; inform the class mayor beforehand
• - screenshots will be take before and after the classes
• - 1 hour at most
• - summary/takeaways will be given during class
• - graded recitation will also be conducted during lectures
• ✓ EXAMS
• - essay (opinions should be based on theories)
• ✓ QUIZZES
• - taken on google form
• - there will be no trivial questions (who, when etc.)
• - it is okay to open everything as long as students will not copy the whole thing
• ✓ FINAL REQUIREMENT (RESEARCH PAPER)
• - no plagiarism: citations and references should be used (APA)
• - any topic regarding Rizal that relates with social issues/challenges
• ✓ GRADING
• - students are graded by their outputs and class participation
• - the chatbox is also used for class participation
THE “CONTEMPORARY” IN DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES
PHILOSOPHY
-came after modernity
-anthropocentric
-social construction of reality
-deconstruction
-nihilsim
-
Overview and Criticism of Modernity/Postmodernity
Modernity- ideas, principles and patterns of interpretation ranging from philosophic to economic
on which Western, European, American culture and society found itself based (Cahoone, 1988).
IS there single starting point of modernity/postmodernity? Or many starting points?
Marx- modernity is accompanied with the rise of capitalist enterprise. The economic development
led to the exploitation and oppression of the bourgeoisie to the proletariat. According to Berman,
Communist Manifesto is the first modernist work of art.
Weber- rationalization, bureaucracy
-specialists without spirit, sensualists without heart
Nietzsche- nihilism
-loss of value and meaning, rejection of
morality
-Individual agency vs, structures
A Pilgrim
Struggling day by day
Living in pain without utter complaint to say
Moving forward and fighting
In ultimate hope always believing
Life could be so hard
The pilgrim gets tired
But for him, life is meant to live
And not to quit
Sometimes it maybe despairing
He would end up alone crying
Someday the journey would end
Every road is in the Divine’s hand
The battle seems difficult to face
But sufficient is the savior’s grace
Though great are his wanderings
The Lord beholds his being
In this assurance he finds solace
That someday there is a sweet place
Of Light, Power, Beauty and Grace
For next meeting:
-Grouping (max.
of 8 members per group)
- Artistic introduction
- Expectations about the course, insights
about contemporary world
- Can be done in any form or medium
- 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘: Next meeting
