Gerry Waite
Anthropology
BB311 5-3279
gwaite@bsu.edu



This course will look at the expansion and globalization of multinational corporations and their effect on societies around the world. The stated purpose is to view these changes through an analysis of the American values that have created them and an examination of the profound transformations these forces are making in those same values. This class intends to foster a complex understanding of America and its business interests abroad in the 21st century and create an awareness of cause and effect at a global level.


Texts:      Goldman, Robert, and Stephen Papson.    1998, Nike Culture  
          
                Scahill, Jeremy. 2007, Blackwater: The Rise of the World's most Powerful Mercenary Army     


Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

a. Communicate a working description of culture as a system of shared meaning and a vehicle for cultural self-critique.

b.  To understand and communicate through writing and presentation concepts of Westernization in the process of Globalization.

c. To participate in discussions concerning cultural capital, symbolic capital, and the negotiation of cultural icons.

d. To critically evaluate Western values and norms through a written analysis of a U.S. based multi-national corporation and its Global concerns.

Evaluation:

Four reading quizes @25 points each                             100 points
Four peer evaluations @ 25 points each                         100 points
A paper  proposal       @ 25 points                                  25 points
A paper presentation @ 25 points                                   25 points
An instructor evaluation @ 50 points                              50 points
A course paper @ 100 points                                         100 points
                                                                                     ==========
                                                                                       400 Total  

Meetings and subject:   

Week of January 7th: Discussion of course concepts and creation of evaluation rubrics. Creating a working definition of culture for purposes of this class.
Handouts to be read this week and start reading "Nike" chapter 1.

Jan. 14: The constructed nature of culture, how actors create change, and the relationship between identity and culture change.  Chapter 2 and 3 in "Nike".
                     
Jan. 21: Communication, symbols and the use of language in advertising. "Nike 4 and 5".

Jan 28: The Puritan ethic and the culture of capitalism. Race and class in America. Chapter 6 in "Nike"

Feb. 4: Gender and representation, the "New Woman in the New capitalist World Order". "Nike" 7. Your Proposal is due on Thursday of this week.

Feb 11: Belief systems as created imagery.  The religion of  "self".  "Nike" chapter 8.

Feb 18:  The "swoosh" as symbolic capital, (or not).  Start reading "Blackwater".

Feb 25: "The White Man's Burden" A history of  colonialism.  Movie and discussion "Plan Columbia"  Blackwater 1-4    

March 3: A history of mercenarism  and relations to a political economy . Blackwater chapter 5-10


March 10: Have a safe SPRING BREAK!!!  If you go South observe and take some notes for class use, ie Jamaica, Mexico, etc.


Mar17:  "Life and Debt" and further discussions. "Blackwater"11-15

Mar 24: Whose oil is it? The IMF, World Bank, and the "Whores of War" Finish "Blackwater".

Mar 31: Student Presentations

April 7: Student Presentations

April 14: Presentations

April 21: Presentations

May 1, 12:00 Final Exam period.  Your paper is due NLT than 2:00 PM

Pick from these fine sites for your weekly journal assignments.



Some of my own favorites  
G's Goodnews site


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