SOAN 337: Globalization, Culture, and Everyday Life
MW 1:20-2:35, Alumni 108
Colgate University
 Spring 2005 Professor Thomas Hall
 NEW Office:  B3 Alumni, x7042, email:  tdhall@mail.colgate.edu
 OFFICE HOURS:  M 4-5, TU 2-3, W 11-12, & by appointment
Last Updated 2-8-05
First Reaction Paper
Due in Class Monday, February 21

Write a 4 to 6 page (1200-1800 word), typed, double-spaced, essay on  of the topics below. Be sure to consult the general instructions, How to Write Essays for Professor Hall.
Paper form: NO Cover pages or binders Name, course, paper, & topic in the upper LEFT-hand corner:

Your Name
SOAN 337
RP 1, TOPIC A or TOPIC B
Page 1

If you do not know how to set running headers, you may write it in by hand!

References:  For references to class texts you need only put author and page in parentheses [e.g., "blah, blah, blah...." (Sklair, p. 133)].  You do NOT need to include a bibliography for course materials.  For references to material OUTSIDE OF COURSE TEXTS use " blah, blah, blah,....." (Smith & Wesson 1938, p. 45) and a bibliography at the end (NOT on a separate page).

Remember:   Essays are FORMAL exercises, no slang, no contractions, correct spelling and grammar are required.  In your FIRST draft, work at getting your ideas on paper. In your SECOND draft, work on getting the argument in order. In your THIRD draft work on grammar, spelling etc. Keep the introduction, BRIEF, get right to the point.  Write it last!

*** NO Bibliography for course books ***
** Label Your Topic**

Topic A:
One of the debates that has emerged in our discussions of globalization has been whether globalization is good for or harms the poor.  First, review the various positions on this debate.  Be sure to include at least the following issues:

• who are the poor

• what is the time scale you are discussing

• what do mean by harm, be sure to distinguish between relative and absolute deprivation

Second, once you have described the ranges of the debate, take a position on the debates and make an argument for your position, including data and logic.  Third, be sure to indicate where data we have covered thus far is problematic or unclear.  Fourth, suggest the TYPES of information or data that would be necessary to clarify the situations.  Finally, assess how such new information might change or confirm your position on the debates.

Topic B:
One of the debates that has emerged in our discussions of globalization has been whether globalization is old or a process that is very recent.   First, review the various positions on this debate.  Be sure to include at least the following issues:

• what do mean by old: back to Assyria, back to the time of current era, back to European expansion, back to 19th century, or only the late 20th century;
• what are differences at different stages
• are these differences, if any, matters of degree or intensity, or fundamentally different processes.

Second, once you have described the ranges of the debate, take a position on the debates and make an argument for your position, including data and logic..  Third, be sure to indicate where data we have covered thus far is problematic or unclear.  Fourth, suggest the TYPES of information or data that would be necessary to clarify the situations.  Finally, assess how such new information might change or confirm your position on the debates.

FOR BOTH TOPICS:
You are NOT required to search for information beyond the assigned readings for this course thus far.  However, as a number of you have indicated in class discussions and reading reports, several of you have had other courses on this or related topics.  You are free to use that material.  If so, be sure to give proper citations to those sources.  Remember you need NOT include a bibliography of materials assigned in SOAN 337.

Send comments or questions to tdhall@mail.colgate.edu
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