Sociología II

General information

Type:	OB	Curs:	2	Period:	S semester
ECTS Credits:	3 ECTS

Teaching Staff:

Group	Teacher	Department	Language
Sec: A	Joan Carrera Carrera	Ciencias Sociales	CAT

Group	Teacher	Department	Language
Sec: B	Àngel Castiñeira Fernández	Ciencias Sociales	ESP

Group	Teacher	Department	Language
Sec: C	David Murillo Bonvehí	Ciencias Sociales	CAT
Sec: C	Teodor Mellén Vinagre	Ciencias Sociales	CAT

Workload distribution

Lectures: 15 hours
Participatory sessions: 15 hours
Independent study (weekly study plus exam preparation): 42 hours
Tutorials: 3 hours

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM

The aim of Sociology II is to provide students with a perspective which is both local and universal, so that any future analysis of a question, whether professional, economic, social or human is addressed within a local and global framework.

To achieve this, the course applies a specific methodology to analyse globalisation, seeing the latter not as a simple economic process but, rather, as a major social transformation involving economic, social, political and cultural elements. This social transformation is not predetermined, and its results may arise from a variety of decisions.

The course's perspective is primarily cultural. Values are examined in the course, firstly, because they guide decision-making at both an individual and a collective level and, secondly, because they are the criteria by which the consequences of the choices that steer the history of different societies may be assessed.

Sociology II poses questions that underpin Corporate Social Responsibility. CSR is very often seen today as a set of management practices. However, it is based on the relationships that exist between business and society, that is, on the responsibility that companies must assume for the effect their decisions have on society.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon completing this course students should:
- Know and be able to analyse the fundamental elements of the techno-economic, social, political and cultural environment of organisations (business, public sector and non-profit) using the appropriate methodology
- Understand the impact organisations have on their environment.

On this basis students will develop a global/local vision of reality and thereby be able to develop a professional and civic commitment to society.

Competences

4. Conveying information and/or knowledge

4. Conveying information and/or knowledge

Relation between Activities and Competences

	4
Group discussions
Tests
Participation in group sessions
Final exam

CONTENT

1. Introduction to globalisation Objectives: - Introduce the different models to understand globalisation - Learn about the key globalisation concepts and core trends - Present a core framework of theories on globalisation - Set out the foundations to present the different ideologies regarding globalisation: neo-liberalism, alter-globalisation, jihadism, authoritarianism, and, along with these, anti-globalisation Content: 1. Introduction to globalisation. Images of a complex world 2. Theoretical framework 3. Four globalisation theories 4. Explaining globalisation: Ideologies 5. How can we interpret today's world? Readings prior to class: 1. Class notes. 2. GIDDENS, Anthony (2000): Un mundo desbocado. Los efectos de la globalización en nuestras vidas. Chapter 1. Taurus, pp.19-31. 3. WALLERSTEIN, Immanuel (2004): The Modern World System as a Capitalist World Economy. Dentro de Lechner, Frank J. and John Boli (ed.) (2008): The Globalization Reader, 3rd ed. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing. Chapter 6; pp.55-61. 4. SKLAIR, Leslie (2002): Sociology of the Global System. Dentro de Lechner, Frank J. and John Boli (ed.) (2008): The Globalization Reader, 3rd ed. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing. Chapter 7; pp. 62-69
2. Globalisation's social, cultural and technological facets (I): Social structure and the risk society Objectives: - Understand the consequences of technological development for global social structures and cohesion within contemporary societies. - Understand why a technologically advanced society is a risk society. - Develop an awareness of both the existence of problems and conflicts derived from issues of identity and their consequences in the globalised world. - Analyse their impact on the relationship between the planet's countries and different cultures. Session 2 and 3 content: 1. Globalisation and social change 1.1 Agents and factors 1.2 Traits of societies in the globalisation process 1.3 A historical vision of globalisation's development: Towards a new social model 1.4 The information society and the changes within the labour market 2. Globalisation and the risk society 3. Culture and tis functions 4. The culture of the globalised market economy 5. Cultural globalisation and identity conflicts 5.1. An introduction to identities in a globalised world 5.2. Globalisation and conflict Readings prior to class: 1. Class notes. Chapter 2. 2. REICH, Robert B. (1993). El trabajo de las naciones, Javier Vergara Ed., Madrid, Chapter 14, pp. 175-186. 3. REICH, Robert B. (1993). El trabajo de las naciones, Javier Vergara Ed., Madrid, Chapter 16, pp. 198-208. 4. REICH, Robert B. (1993). El trabajo de las naciones, Javier Vergara Ed., Madrid, Chapter 17, pp. 209-224.
3. The social, cultural and technological facets of globalisation (II): Conflict of identities
4. Economic globalisation Objectives: - Establish a model of analysis of economic globalisation that provides insights into the increase of commercial interrelationships over the last two centuries. - Understand the nature of economic globalisation from the perspective of the reordering of wealth and growth. - Discuss the re-composition of the planet in geopolitical blocks and the new role of States and their relationships with multinationals. - Discuss the social and political implications of States losing their management capacity. Session 4 and 5 content: 1. A sociological approacch to the economy. Definitions and concepts. 1.2 Economic globalisation. Concepts, phases and traits 1.3 A historical perspective 2. Economic globalisation at the beginning of the 21st century 3. Global production chains and changes the the global productive structure 4. Economic globalisation. Strategies and reactions 4.1 The rise of the Geo-economy. Geo-economic strategies 4.2 Reactions against neo-liberal globalisation 4.3 The relation betwen globalisation and inequality Readings prior to the class: 1. Class notes. Chapter 4. 2. PACKER, G. (2013). The unwinding. An inner history of the new America. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Chapter: Mr.Sam: Sam Walton. pp.100-106
5. Financial globalisation (I) Objectives: - Develop an understanding of economic financing and its scope - Learn about the economic changes entailed by financing and its impact on social and political structures - Discuss the implications of the present crisis on socio-political structures Session 6 and 7 content: 1. Macro-economic and financial imbalances 2. Lessons learnt from the recent financial crises 3. Financing 3.1 Basic concepts 3.2 Causes, consequences and the new investment culture. 3.3. Principal agents: Hedge funds; sovereign funds; rating agencies; fiscal paradises Readings prior to class: 1. Class notes. Chapter 5 2. Rodrik, Dani (2011): The globalization paradox. Democracy and the future of world economy.WWNorton & Company, Nueva York. Chapter 5. Financial globalization follies, pp. 89-95; 104-111. 3. Mihm, Stephen. (2009): ¿Por qué falla el capitalismo? HymanMinsky, el economista que vio venir el desplome aún veía otro problema en el horizonte: su repetición. Sin Permiso. 15/11/09
6. Session 7. Financial globalisation (II)
7. Contemporary business culture Objectives: - Understand the economic, social, political and cultural power of companies. - Understand the ethical dimension of companies and their social responsibility. - Understand the power of companies and their ethical and social responsibility in the context of globalisation - Understand and know how to apply the concepts of CSR, Social Action and Corporate Citizenship to real companies. - Develop a critical reflection on the necessary qualities for business professionals in the context of globalisation Session 8 and 9 content: 1. The rise of functionalism in management 2. The business function and large firms 3. Towards a new corporate culture 3.1 The rise of conflict 3.2 The company and the re-discovery of social expectations Readings prior to class: 1. Class notes. Chapter 6. 2. HENNCHEN, Esther. (2013). Shell in Nigeria. Case study.
8. State sovereignty and global governance Objectives: - Understand the changes that globalisation has imposed on global governance - Understand its principal challenges - Analyse the impact of globalisation has had on the role of the State - Observe the interrelationship between the economic and cultural realms and the political sphere Session 10 and 11 content: 1. The erosion of State sovereignty 2. Crisis of the nation state 3. States and the trilemma of globalisation 4. Global governance: rethinking power in the 21st century 5. Europe as an embryo of global governance Readings prior to class: 1. Class notes. Chapter 7. 2. RODRIK, Dani. (2011): The globalization paradox. Democracy and the future of world economy.W.W.Norton& Company, New York. Chapter 9: The political trilemma of the world economy. pp. 184-206
9. Political actors in the era of globalisation Readings: 1.KEOHANE, Robert & Joseph NYE. (2000): Realism and Complex Interdependence. In Lechner, Frank J. and John Boli, eds.(2008): The Globalization Reader, 3rd edition. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing. Chapter 8, pp.70-78.
10. Values and challenges of global governance. Making the world European (I) Objectives: - Understand the repercussions the combination of globalising dynamics witnessed to date have on the values of global governance - Undertake an axiological/valuation analysis of the challenges confronting democracy and its future prospects Session 12 and 13 content: 1. The new distribution of power in today's world 1.1 The post 2008 scenario: What is power then? 1.2 The power dimensions today: Hard power. The institutional nstitutional and value dimensions 2. Where are we heading? Imbalances in a multi-polar world 3. Europanising the world 3.1 In defense of European values 3.2 The European ideal as a firewall in a depersonalised world Readings: 1. Class notes. Chapter 8. 2. RODRIK, Dani. (2011): The globalization paradox. Democracy and the future of world economy. W.W.Norton & Company, New York. Chapter 10: Is global governance feasible? Is it desirable?, pp. 207-232

1. Introduction to globalisation

Objectives:
- Introduce the different models to understand globalisation
- Learn about the key globalisation concepts and core trends
- Present a core framework of theories on globalisation
- Set out the foundations to present the different ideologies regarding globalisation: neo-liberalism, alter-globalisation, jihadism, authoritarianism, and, along with these, anti-globalisation

Content:
1. Introduction to globalisation. Images of a complex world
2. Theoretical framework
3. Four globalisation theories
4. Explaining globalisation: Ideologies
5. How can we interpret today's world?

Readings prior to class:
1. Class notes.
2. GIDDENS, Anthony (2000): Un mundo desbocado. Los efectos de la globalización en nuestras vidas. Chapter 1. Taurus, pp.19-31.
3. WALLERSTEIN, Immanuel (2004): The Modern World System as a Capitalist World Economy. Dentro de Lechner, Frank J. and John Boli (ed.) (2008): The Globalization Reader, 3rd ed. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing. Chapter 6; pp.55-61.
4. SKLAIR, Leslie (2002): Sociology of the Global System. Dentro de Lechner, Frank J. and John Boli (ed.) (2008): The Globalization Reader, 3rd ed. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing. Chapter 7; pp. 62-69

2. Globalisation's social, cultural and technological facets (I): Social structure and the risk society

Objectives:
- Understand the consequences of technological development for global social structures and cohesion within contemporary societies.
- Understand why a technologically advanced society is a risk society.
- Develop an awareness of both the existence of problems and conflicts derived from issues of identity and their consequences in the globalised world.
- Analyse their impact on the relationship between the planet's countries and different cultures.

Session 2 and 3 content:
1. Globalisation and social change
1.1 Agents and factors
1.2 Traits of societies in the globalisation process
1.3 A historical vision of globalisation's development: Towards a new social model
1.4 The information society and the changes within the labour market
2. Globalisation and the risk society
3. Culture and tis functions
4. The culture of the globalised market economy
5. Cultural globalisation and identity conflicts
5.1. An introduction to identities in a globalised world
5.2. Globalisation and conflict

Readings prior to class:
1. Class notes. Chapter 2.
2. REICH, Robert B. (1993). El trabajo de las naciones, Javier Vergara Ed., Madrid, Chapter 14, pp. 175-186.
3. REICH, Robert B. (1993). El trabajo de las naciones, Javier Vergara Ed., Madrid, Chapter 16, pp. 198-208.
4. REICH, Robert B. (1993). El trabajo de las naciones, Javier Vergara Ed., Madrid, Chapter 17, pp. 209-224.

3. The social, cultural and technological facets of globalisation (II): Conflict of identities

4. Economic globalisation

Objectives:
- Establish a model of analysis of economic globalisation that provides insights into the increase of commercial interrelationships over the last two centuries.
- Understand the nature of economic globalisation from the perspective of the reordering of wealth and growth.
- Discuss the re-composition of the planet in geopolitical blocks and the new role of States and their relationships with multinationals.
- Discuss the social and political implications of States losing their management capacity.

Session 4 and 5 content:
1. A sociological approacch to the economy. Definitions and concepts.
1.2 Economic globalisation. Concepts, phases and traits
1.3 A historical perspective
2. Economic globalisation at the beginning of the 21st century
3. Global production chains and changes the the global productive structure
4. Economic globalisation. Strategies and reactions
4.1 The rise of the Geo-economy. Geo-economic strategies
4.2 Reactions against neo-liberal globalisation
4.3 The relation betwen globalisation and inequality

Readings prior to the class:
1. Class notes. Chapter 4.
2. PACKER, G. (2013). The unwinding. An inner history of the new America. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Chapter: Mr.Sam: Sam Walton. pp.100-106

5. Financial globalisation (I)

Objectives:
- Develop an understanding of economic financing and its scope
- Learn about the economic changes entailed by financing and its impact on social and political structures
- Discuss the implications of the present crisis on socio-political structures

Session 6 and 7 content:
1. Macro-economic and financial imbalances
2. Lessons learnt from the recent financial crises
3. Financing
3.1 Basic concepts
3.2 Causes, consequences and the new investment culture.
3.3. Principal agents: Hedge funds; sovereign funds; rating agencies; fiscal paradises

Readings prior to class:
1. Class notes. Chapter 5
2. Rodrik, Dani (2011): The globalization paradox. Democracy and the future of world economy.WWNorton & Company, Nueva York. Chapter 5. Financial globalization follies, pp. 89-95; 104-111.
3. Mihm, Stephen. (2009): ¿Por qué falla el capitalismo? HymanMinsky, el economista que vio venir el desplome aún veía otro problema en el horizonte: su repetición. Sin Permiso. 15/11/09

6. Session 7. Financial globalisation (II)

7. Contemporary business culture

Objectives:
- Understand the economic, social, political and cultural power of companies.
- Understand the ethical dimension of companies and their social responsibility.
- Understand the power of companies and their ethical and social responsibility in the context of globalisation
- Understand and know how to apply the concepts of CSR, Social Action and Corporate Citizenship to real companies.
- Develop a critical reflection on the necessary qualities for business professionals in the context of globalisation

Session 8 and 9 content:
1. The rise of functionalism in management
2. The business function and large firms
3. Towards a new corporate culture
3.1 The rise of conflict
3.2 The company and the re-discovery of social expectations

Readings prior to class:
1. Class notes. Chapter 6.
2. HENNCHEN, Esther. (2013). Shell in Nigeria. Case study.

8. State sovereignty and global governance

Objectives:
- Understand the changes that globalisation has imposed on global governance
- Understand its principal challenges
- Analyse the impact of globalisation has had on the role of the State
- Observe the interrelationship between the economic and cultural realms and the political sphere

Session 10 and 11 content:
1. The erosion of State sovereignty
2. Crisis of the nation state
3. States and the trilemma of globalisation
4. Global governance: rethinking power in the 21st century
5. Europe as an embryo of global governance

Readings prior to class:
1. Class notes. Chapter 7.
2. RODRIK, Dani. (2011): The globalization paradox. Democracy and the future of world economy.W.W.Norton& Company, New York. Chapter 9: The political trilemma of the world economy. pp. 184-206

9. Political actors in the era of globalisation

Readings:
1.KEOHANE, Robert & Joseph NYE. (2000): Realism and Complex Interdependence. In Lechner, Frank J. and John Boli, eds.(2008): The Globalization Reader, 3rd edition. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing. Chapter 8, pp.70-78.

10. Values and challenges of global governance. Making the world European (I)

Objectives:
- Understand the repercussions the combination of globalising dynamics witnessed to date have on the values of global governance
- Undertake an axiological/valuation analysis of the challenges confronting democracy and its future prospects

Session 12 and 13 content:
1. The new distribution of power in today's world
1.1 The post 2008 scenario: What is power then?
1.2 The power dimensions today: Hard power. The institutional nstitutional and value dimensions
2. Where are we heading? Imbalances in a multi-polar world
3. Europanising the world
3.1 In defense of European values
3.2 The European ideal as a firewall in a depersonalised world

Readings:
1. Class notes. Chapter 8.
2. RODRIK, Dani. (2011): The globalization paradox. Democracy and the future of world economy. W.W.Norton & Company, New York. Chapter 10: Is global governance feasible? Is it desirable?, pp. 207-232

Methodology

Format of the practical sessions:

Format A
- Test (15 minutes, 1 page maximum) + interim (5 minutes)
- Analsys of reading (1 hour and 10 minutes)

Format B
- Group presentations: present the main ideas of the day's assigned reading plus lead the debate on a reading dedicated to a current event (20 minutes to present readings + 20 minutes for the debate)
- Choice of group and topic (1st practical session), with 5 groups of 4 to 5 students each
- Presentation objective: present/develop the main points of the session's reading plus relate the readings with the reading on a current event and lead the debate on the latter.
- Presentation methodology:
Presentation without slides
Demonstrate students' comprehension of and reflection on the subject raised.
All the group members have to speak.
Ask questions and orient the ensuing debate.
- Analysis of readings and their content (50 minutes)

Tests:
-These can be multiple-choice or short-answer tests on the session content.
-Assessment of the tests is carried out exclusively by the group faculty.
-The lead faculty member will correct the re-sit exam but not the tests.

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN

Description	%
Group discussions	10
Tests	40
Participation in group sessions	10
Final exam	40

Assessment criteria

The assessment of the aforementioned course objectives includes tests taken at the end of each section of the course content, attendance at both the lecture and participatory sessions, attendance at the scheduled presentations, the completion of written reports, students' attitudes and involvement, their progress made with the acquisition of the defined competences and the final exam. Assessment is understood not only as a means to calculate a mark but also as a part of the course training. Faculty will thus focus assessment on students' progress, providing ongoing assessment to this end.

To calculate the average between the mark for course activities and the final exam, the following conditions must be fulfilled:

Both marks (from the ongoing assessment component and the final exam) must be a 5 or over. Contrarily, the final mark for the course will be the lower of the two.

In order to pass the ongoing assessment component, students must:
- Obtain an average mark of 4 or above on the tests.
- A mark equal to or above 4 for the average mark based on the other components of the ongoing assessment (participation and engagement in classes, group work and cases studies).

The exact weighting of the components to calculate the average mark (and final mark for the course) will be announced on the first day of class.

To pass the course by re-sitting the final exam, students must earn a mark of 5 or above. In this case, the final mark for the course will be the mark earned on this exam. Marks for activities carried out during the course will not be taken into account.

Bibliography

- FULCHER, James. (2009): El Capitalismo. Una breve introducción. Madrid: Alianza Ed.
- GINER, Salvador. (2010): El futur del capitalisme. Barcelona: Edicions 62.
- JUDT, Toni. (2010): Algo va mal. Madrid: Taurus
- LECHNER, Frank J. & John BOLI, eds.(2008): The Globaliz.tion Reader, Third Edition. Malden MA: Blackwell Publishing.
- MURILLO, David (2014). From Walmart to Al Qaeda. An interdisciplinary approach to globalization. Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing.
- PACKER, George (2013). The unwinding. An inner history of the new America. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
- RODRIK, Dani (2011): The globalization paradox. Democracy and the future of world economy. New York: W.W.Norton & Coy.
- STEGER Manfred B. (2010) Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford.
- STIGLITZ, J. (2006) Cómo hacer que funcione la globalización. Madrid.

Timetable and sections

Group	Teacher	Department
Sec: A	Joan Carrera Carrera	Ciencias Sociales

Horari Sec: A

Monday2016/2/8:
From 10:00 to 11:00.
From 8:00 to 10:00.

From 2016/2/15 to 2016/3/7:
Each Monday from 9:30 to 11:00.
Each Monday from 8:00 to 9:30.

From 2016/4/4 to 2016/5/2:
Each Monday from 9:30 to 11:00.
Each Monday from 8:00 to 9:30.

Group	Teacher	Department
Sec: B	Àngel Castiñeira Fernández	Ciencias Sociales

Horari Sec: B

Monday2016/2/8:
From 14:00 to 16:00.
From 16:00 to 17:00.

From 2016/2/15 to 2016/3/7:
Each Monday from 15:30 to 17:00.
Each Monday from 14:00 to 15:30.

From 2016/4/4 to 2016/5/2:
Each Monday from 15:30 to 17:00.
Each Monday from 14:00 to 15:30.

Group	Teacher	Department
Sec: C	David Murillo Bonvehí	Ciencias Sociales
Sec: C	Teodor Mellén Vinagre	Ciencias Sociales

Horari Sec: C

Monday2016/2/8:
From 19:00 to 20:00.
From 17:00 to 19:00.

From 2016/2/15 to 2016/3/7:
Each Monday from 17:00 to 18:30.
Each Monday from 18:30 to 20:00.

From 2016/4/4 to 2016/5/2:
Each Monday from 17:00 to 18:30.
Each Monday from 18:30 to 20:00.

Sociología II (BBA00805)