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Introduction to Contemporary Global Problems
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To understand the present critically in light of historical and sociological imagination through discussion and writing.
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How do we best understand the world in which we live? Some historians have cautioned against studying contemporary history because we are its byproducts and we might judge it through the lens of presentism, which the OED defines as: “uncritical adherence to present-day attitudes, especially the tendency to interpret past events in terms of modern values and concepts.” However, this is all the more reason why we need to find ways of critically historicizing the present; otherwise, the field of the present -- where we live, struggle, and die -- will be left in the hands of policymakers, social scientists, and other so-called experts who adhere uncritically to “present-day attitudes”.
In this course we will attempt to understand the post-9-11 contemporary world through the prism of war and capitalism, two closely interlinked phenomena that have overwhelmingly dominated the structure of our reality and feelings. In light of military and economic polices under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, how have global and domestic conditions changed and what do they presage for the future of the American empire, now under the regime of Donald Trump? We will study materials published and produced during this period, questioning the “modern values and concepts” that have defined the making of our history.
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[The following schedule is provisional and it may change] 1 Introduction
2 War on Terror 9-11 and its historical significance
3 Rendition and Torture Legalization of state terrorism
4 Soldiers of Empire Who joins the military and what do they experience
5 War Propaganda How the media and intellectuals justify war
6 Surveillance State Wikileaks, Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning's struggle against the panopticon
7 Drone War Liberal imperialism and assassination as U.S. foreign policy
8 Military-Industrial Complex Cold War and its legacy
9 Contemporary Capitalism How we name and understand our system
10 Finance Capital and Debt Why are we in debt and what does it mean for global capitalism
11 Violence in the Social Factory Death from the workplace to the streets
12 Anthropocene and Climate Change Ecological destruction and survival of the species
13 Movement of Movements Making historical changes from below
14 Research Presentations Students briefly present and discuss their research
15 Research Presentations Students briefly present and discuss their research
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Students are required each week to read/view the assigned materials, write summary/commentary on them, and participate in discussion. In addition, students will write a research proposal/bibliography/paper on a socially significant topic and give a brief presentation of their findings.
40% Research proposal/bibliography, paper, and presentation due at the end of the semester 60% Weekly writing assignment and class discussion
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Do the readings/assignments on time.
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Participate fully in class discussion.
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