module specification

The module examines the impact of globalisation on inequalities in our current 21st century world. Evidence suggests that inequalities are increasing within many countries in the world as a consequence of globalisation and the module will examine these increasing and changing patterns of inequality. Growing urbanisation, rural-urban migration and the growth of poverty and slums in the global south and of social polarisation in cities in the global south and north are considered. The module examines changes in social class, gender and ethnic divisions and inequalities in our contemporary world.  It looks at the growth of a new global elite, the growth of the middle class in many countries and cities throughout the world and at the growth of a precarious social class. The module looks at how globalisation has impacted gender inequalities with globalisation leading to the increasing participation of women in many countries and regions of the world.

The aims of the module are:

1. To provide students with an understanding of the concepts of inequality and of changes in social and spatial divisions in our contemporary world
2. To enable students to understand what globalisation involves and what the drivers of globalisation are in the 21st century world
3. To enable students to understand and critically debate the contrasting perspectives on the role and impact of globalisation on inequalities in our 21st century world
4. To provide students with an understanding of the impact of globalisation on social class, gender and ethnic inequalities within and between different countries in the global south and the global north

• Understanding inequality and social divisions in a global context
• Understanding globalisation
• Different theoretical perspectives on globalisation and inequality
• Global trends in poverty and inequality
• Global economic change and the changing global economic map
• Inequalities between and within countries of the global north and the global south
• Global classes – the new global elite, the new middle class, the precariat, the under-class
• Changing nature of work in the formal and informal global economies
• Youth and precariousness
• Gender inequalities and globalisation – the feminisation of the global labour force, masculinity and femininity
• Global urbanisation – rural-urban migration and the growth of cities in the global south
• Urban poverty and slums
• Global migration
• Global land and property markets
• Inequalities in cities – polarisation, gentrification, poor neighbourhoods

Teaching will comprise weekly lectures followed by exercises and discussion based on pre-set reading in weekly seminars
Teaching will be informed by research and scholarly activity of the tutors
Learning will be supported by the weblearn site for the modules which will include all the teaching materials and a wide range of learning resources

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

(LO1) Discuss the concepts of globalisation and of inequality and social divisions
(LO2) Evaluate the impact of globalisation on inequality in relation to social class, gender and ethnicity
(LO3) Explain and evaluate the demographic, economic, political and social processes that underpin changes in social and spatial inequalities in the global world today

1. Essay of 2000 words in week 12 (40%) – which will assess students ability to examine the key concepts and debates concerning globalisation
2. A seminar presentation of a literature review and assessment of contribution to seminar discussions (10%)
3. Essay of 3000 words in week 30 (50%) – which will assess students ability to examine and explain the impact of globalisation on inequality

Dicken. P (2015) Global Shift. 7th edition. Sage
Giddens. A. (2006) Sociology. 5th edition. Cambridge. Polity Press
Martell. L (2010) The Sociology of Globalization. Polity Press
Platt. L (2011) Understanding Inequalities. Stratification and Difference. Polity
Ritzer. G (2010) Globalization. A Basic Text. Blackwell
Sassen S (2012) Cities in the Global Economy. 4th edition. Sage
Sassen. S (2014) Expulsions. Brutality and Complexity in the Global Economy. Belknap. Harvard
Wacquant. L (2008) Urban Outcasts. A Comparative Sociology of Advanced Marginality. Polity.