POLS 462 Globalization, Sustainability, and Justice

Overview of Course

Public and private policies to promote sustainability and social justice in a globalizing world.
The term “globalization” commonly refers to the interconnectedness and interdependence of national economies, cultures, and populations, driven by international trade, technology, and the exchange of ideas, people, and capital. This course provides an introduction to issues that arise when pressures of globalization collide with principles of equitable treatment and environmental and social sustainability. Topics will include the roles of international governance organizations, NGOs, populist movements; international corporations with regard to human rights, sustainable practices, transparency, and ethical supply chains; the physical, economic, and social damage from climate change; corruption; gender, ethnic, class, religious, and racial discrimination; labor exploitation, slavery, human trafficking; land ownership and poverty; globalization-created conflict zones; global justice and human rights principles; and relevant national, customary, and international norms and law. We will also look at programs and policies that respect rights and promote sustainability. Assigned readings, in-depth discussion, debate, and real-world case studies will be used to examine sustainability and justice with an explicit focus on the countries along our voyage. The Field Class and visits to diverse regions in Asia, Africa, and Europe offer students the unparalleled opportunity to develop nuanced insights as they observe firsthand the impacts of globalization in varied contexts. This course invites students to think critically about the challenges of globalization and technology in a world of social and economic disparity amidst a fast deterioration of natural resources and to explore ways in which we can build a more just international society that conserves the planet for future generations and species.