The Modern World-System
Soc 506
Fall 2001

Dr. Gonzalo F. Santos
Office: DDH-AA205    Phone: (661) 664-2191
Office Hours: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Tu & Th, or by appointment
Web Site: http://www.csubak.edu/~gsantos/
Email: santos_class@csub.edu

TEXTBOOKS 

• Robert Denemark, Jonathan Friedman, Barry K. Gills, George Modelski, eds., 2000. World System History. The Social Science of Long-Term Change. New York: Routledge.

• Giovanni Arrighi & Beverly J. Silver et al. 1999. Chaos and Governance in the Modern World System. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

• William K. Tabb, 2000. The Amoral Elephant. Globalization and the Struggle for Social Justice in the Twenty-First Century. New York: Monthly Review Press.

• Immanuel Wallerstein, 2000. The Essential Wallerstein. New York: The New Press.

This course is an advanced study on some of the theories about, and the historical life of, the modern world as a single, unitary social system. The nature of modern times is analyzed from the perspective of historical sociology, that is, from the perspective of long-term, large-scale social change and social structure. We first use the Denemark et al. book to think seriously about world systemic history over the very long term (5000 years), uncoverning the rich ancient past as a "distant mirror" foreshadowing  our own contemporary global complextity. We then analyze the interconnected cyclical patterns and secular trends of governance in modern world-system at three key periods defined by the rise and demise of Dutch, British, and U.S. hegemonies. We do this through the latest book by world-system's theorist Giovanni Arrighi and his associates. We then take a hard look at the current "neoliberal" doctrine of corporate/military globalization and why the world is headed, according to Tabb's analysis, for more crisis, more volatility, and greater resistance to globalization over the forseable future. Interspersed throughout the course, students will complement the class readings by individually exploring appropriate selections from the anthology by one of the founders of the world-system perspective in social science, Immanuel Wallerstein. 

 Classes: The course will be run as a seminar. All students are expected to come fully prepared to discuss in depth the assigned readings for the day, but starting on the second week, two students will make class presentations (20 to 30 minutes in duration each) on the two assigned readings for each session. Dr. Santos will contribute as a respondent and add his own knowledge and prespective to each presentation. Class discussion will follow. Presenting students must distribute copies of their presentation outlines, which should be no more than two pages long and follows a format of headings and subheadings - not the text of the oral presentation itself, that can be done with cards, etc.. The outlines must also contain a few issues or questions for discussion. Student presentations will be evaluated for the organizational and analytical quality of the outlines, as well as the accuracy, critical thinking, thoroughness, and clarity of the presentations.

All students - presenters and discussants - are expected to share their prepared notes, questions, thoughts and insights on the substantive and methodological issues raised by the assigned readings. Attendance itself is mandatory but much more required is that they come prepared for class discussion. Unauthorized absences (especially when scheduled to present), tardiness, and/or early departures, as well as lack of preparation and lack of participation will be noted and seriously taken into account at the time of issuing final grades.

Papers: Students must write two research papers on topics related to the seminar. The first paper may be based - take as its point of departure - either of the first two textbooks discussed in class (Denemark et al. or Arrighi/Silver et al.). The second paper should be a critical appraisal of Wallerstein's work in light of the three texbooks assigned for class discussions, using for that purpose the Wallerstein anthology. The due dates for the papers are Nov. 1 (in class)  & Nov. 30th (before noon, at Dr. Santos' office). The graded first paper may be resubmitted as a re-write on Nov. 27. Approval of the topics by Dr. Santos required. Each paper should be at least 15 pages long, double spaced, font 12, one-inch margins. For guidelines on how to write a good research term paper, citations & bibliographic styles, etc., please go to the following URL: http://www.csub.edu/~gsantos/Guide-Paper.html. 

Grading: Each paper is worth 30 points. Class presentations/participation is worth 40 points. The final letter grade will be assigned, on a scale of 0 to 100, as follows:
 

Office hours: All students are encouraged to visit the instructor regularly during his office hours posted above or by appointment, especially to make sure their class presentations are well focused, the topics for their papers are approved, or to discuss the content of the readings.