This modules is one of the core modules for the Professional Diploma in Politics and Society for Teachers (PDST). Globalisation and its many manifestations are critical issues in contemporary society. It is one of a small number of "meta" dynamics that shape the modern world from the smallest of interactions to the organisation of large scale collectives.

The aim of this course is to provide a comprehensive introduction to the various discourses of globalisation. It will explore some of the key meanings, history and differing theoretical perspectives and interpretations of globalisation in contemporary research, and will identify main policy issues related to economic, cultural, and political globalisation. The focus will be the development of transnational communities and cultures including emergent new forms of worldwide political protest; the challenge for trade unions; culture and the 'global' and 'local' divide; the possibilities for a future global society or culture; the inter-meshing of local-global interests and identities; the inequalities and social exclusion generated by economic globalisation; and the extent to which sociology - like other disciplines - needs to re-think many of its central concepts, debates and theoretical approaches in the light of globalisation processes. Analyses and discussions will be illustrated with international and Irish case studies.  Themes covered focus on seven areas: origins and definitions of globalization; economic and political globalization; global culture; globalisation, nation-states, and nationalism(s); globalisation and politics; globalisation and migration; and global environmental issues.   

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: • Demonstrate an awareness (knowledge) of contemporary sociological theories and literature concerned with globalisation;  • Demonstrate an understanding of the debates and key issues involved in the area of globalisation;  • Examine a topic-fitting theme from the module through critical analysis of academic texts; and  • Engage with a pedagogical case-study relevant to the key content.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: • Display a critical orientation to substantive areas of concern in the area of the sociology of globalisation.  • Defend complex and well supported arguments that relate to relevant sociological theories and literature.  

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: NA

The module is taught online via a recorded lecture that is supplemented with interactive tutorials. The material covered in the lecture combines classic work and the most recent research on globalisation and its implications.