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 3-8-05

Second Reaction Paper
Due in Class Monday, March 28

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:
Both Hobson and Gunn argue for roots of globalization back at least 500 years.  Both also argue, though Hobson more strongly than Gunn, that European driven capitalist globalization which led to a massive wave of colonization and to the current forms of globalization find their roots in East Asian "civilizations."  1. How did East Asian sources contribute to, or even make possible, European driven globalization?  2. What do we learn about globalization processes from this? 3. What does this tell us about current processes of globalization? and 4. What does this imply about future processes of globalization?

Topic B:
We have read a great deal about the roles of NGOs and especially INGOs in contemporary globalization processes.  Some have argued that [I]NGOs are part of the processes of undermining the power of the modern [nation]-state.  Others have argued that they are too "tunnel-visioned," that is, they look exclusively to their special interests, and not the larger good. We have also seen that TNCs, in accord with their fundamental purpose to accumulate capital for their owners, also do not look out for the general good.  But equally clearly a number of problems surround trade, investment, ecology, and so are now global problems and clearly can not be "fixed," or what is more likely, ameliorated, from any one local action. Indeed, Clark, among others, argues that they may ONLY be addressed by global thinking. 1. How might [I]NGOs begin to help solve these problems? 2. What kind of changes would be needed in IGOs [intergovernmental organizations], like the UN or the World Court, to help address the problems? 3. Can you propose other institutions that might help address such global problems?

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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