The Modern World-System
Soc 506
Winter 2010
Class: DDH-100F,  Mo. & Wed., 6:00 pm - 8:05 pm

Instructor: Dr. Gonzalo F. Santos
Office: DDH-AA205    Phone: (661) 664-2191
Office Hours: 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Tue. & Th.; or by appointment
Web Site: http://www.csub.edu/~gsantos/
Email: santos_class@csub.edu

  TEXTBOOKS  

• Immanuel Wallerstein, 2004. World-Systems Analysis. An Introduction. Durham: Duke University Press. ISBN: 0822334313

• Giovanni Arrighi & Beverly J. Silver et al., 1999. Chaos and Governance in the Modern World System. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. ISBN: 0816631522

• William G. Martin, ed., 2008. Making Waves. Worldwide Social Movements, 1750-2005. Boulder: Paradigm Publishers. ISBN: 159451481X

• Giovanni Arrighi, 2009. Adam Smith in Beijing. Lineages of the Twenty-First Century. London: Verso. ISBN: 1844672980

This course is an advanced seminar on the theoretical nature and historical evolution of the modern world as a single, unitary social system. The nature of modern world is analyzed from the perspective of historical sociology, that is, from the perspective of long-term, large-scale social change and the origins, evolution, and transformation of structural patterns, cycles, and trends. We begin with a very didactic summary of Immanuel Wallerstein's views on the matter (his Introduction). We then deepen our understanding of the modern world-system from the XVI Century roughly to the end of the XXth, using Arrighi & Silver et al.'s theoretically elegant analysis on the three "systemic cycles of capitalist accumulation," each corresponding to the rise and demise of Dutch, British, and American hegemony. Next we study the "waves" of anti-systemic social movements of the modern world-system, using the Martin edited work. And finally, we take up the issue of the spectacular rise of East Asia, China in particular, in the world-system and the world-historic implications of that for the future and long-term viability of the capitalist system itself. We use Arrighi's very particular perspective, expanded in depth in his last book.

Students will be encouraged to explore other schools of thought found within the world-systems perspective, as well as more in-depth understanding of the central issues and geographic regions of the modern world-system, through their individual research projects, as described below.

Classes: The course will be run as a graduate seminar. All students are expected to be punctual and come fully prepared to discuss in depth the assigned readings for the day. Starting on the second book, two students will make class presentations at every session (about 15 to 20 minutes each), each on a different assigned reading. Each student will make at least two such presentations during the quarter. Class discussion will follow each presentation, with a short break in between. Dr. Santos will contribute as a respondent and add his own knowledge and perspective to each presentation.

Presenting students must bring and distribute copies of their presentation outlines to all students, which should be no more than two pages long - preferably one. Please follow a format of headings (I, II, III) and subheadings (a, b, c) - not the text of the oral presentation itself (which can be done apart, with cards, overhead slides, or a PowerPoint presentation). What those headings and subheadings are should be determined by the structure and main points of the reading. The outlines must always end with a couple of well-thought-out questions raised for discussion. Please put your name and the title/author of your presentation. If you do a PowerPoint presentation, please do NOT save it in ".ppsx" or "pptx" formats, as the campus computers will not read them.

Student presentations will be evaluated for the organization, accuracy, and clarity of the outlines and presentation itself, as well as the analytical quality, depth, and critical thinking demonstrated. Analytical qualities consist of the abilities to frame the subject matter both theoretically and historically, pose the key issues, and summarize the main explanatory arguments or conclusions of the author. Critical thinking is the ability to engage, challenge, or support the consistency or logic of the author's central analysis or whatever evidence is presented, with further arguments, evidence, and observations of your own. Examples of bad presentations are those that are disorganized, disconnected, or scattered on too many topics, or well-focused but superficial and purely descriptive (not analytical enough), or actually focused on the wrong things, or way too short or way too long (rambling). You are NOT asked to cover everything; rather, you are asked to bring out and analyze what you think are the main points, those you think are the most salient or important. That involves academic judgment: use it! Students are invited, of course, to discuss their approaches and outlines of their presentations with Dr. Santos during office hours prior to their delivering them.

Attendance and class preparation are mandatory. Unauthorized absences (especially when students are scheduled to present), tardiness, and/or early departures, as well as patent lack of preparation and persistent 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 due dates for the respective papers are February 24  & March 18 before noon. Papers must be submitted in both electronic form (in Word, sent by email), and in hard copy form (on paper, delivered  in class or in Dr. Santos' office). The graded first paper may be resubmitted as a re-write with the second paper. Prior consultation with, and approval by, Dr. Santos is required for each paper topic. Each paper should be 10-to-15 pages long aside from title page, table of contents, bibliography, and any appendices; text should be double spaced, font 12, with one-inch margins, and paginated. 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.

There are two general studies courses that students are strongly encouraged to take if they need or wish to develop further their research skills; and if they do so  they will receive extra credit:

GST 126 - Researching the Electronic Library (2 units)
Introduces students to effective research techniques using Library electronic resources. Emphasis will be placed upon skills necessary for the identification, retrieval, and evaluation of information for general and specific topics. Students will acquire the competencies necessary to develop an effective search strategy and find research materials, including references to journal articles, full text articles in electronic format, government publications, books, and Internet resources.

 GST 153 - Research on the Internet (2 units)
Introduces students to the information resources available on the Internet for research purposes Students will develop general knowledge of the Internet, navigation skills, effective search strategy skills, familiarity with Internet finding tools, evaluation methodologies and other Internet research skills.

Contact: Ms. Christy Gavin
Librarian, Walter W. Stiern Library
cgavin@csub.edu
661-664-3237

Plagiarism: To prevent students from wittingly or unwittingly engaging in plagiarism, Dr. Santos strongly recommends students to carefully read and abide by the document CSUB Classifications of Plagiarism found at: http://www.csub.edu/tlc/options/resources/turn_it_in_help_page.shtml

Anyone found guilty of engaging in plagiarism will automatically fail the course and be reported to the Office of Student Discipline and Judicial Affairs for further disciplinary action.

Grading: Each paper is worth up to 35 points. The two class presentations are worth up to 10 points each; class discussion participation will be assessed at the end for another 10 points (anyone that volunteers for any third class presentation, may receive up to 5 extra points). Similarly, students may receive extra points for taking the suggested General Studies courses. The final letter grade will be assigned, on a scale of 0 to 100, as follows:
 

Office hours: All students are encouraged to visit Dr. Santos regularly during his office hours, posted above, or by appointment, to make sure their class presentations are well organized and focused, the topics for their papers are approved and well thought out, or to discuss the content of the readings, or anything else related to the course.

Schedule of Reading Assignments

Monday	Wednesday
January 4	January 6 Introduction, Overview & Organization of the Course
January 11 Wallerstein- Introduction to World-Systems Analysis: "To Start"; Chapter 1	January 13 Wallerstein- Introduction to World-Systems Analysis: Chapter 2 & 3
January 18 HOLIDAY - NO CLASS	January 20 Wallerstein- Introduction to World-Systems Analysis: Chapters 4 & 5
January 25 Arrighi & Silver: Chaos & Governance in the MWS Introduction Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________	January 27 Arrighi & Silver: Chaos & Governance in the MWS Chapter 1: Geopolitics & High Finance Presenter:________________ Presenter:________________
February 1 Arrighi & Silver: Chaos & Governance in the MWS Chapter 2: The Transformation of Business Enterprise Presenter:__________________ Presenter:__________________	February 3 Arrighi & Silver: Chaos & Governance in the MWS Chapter 3: The Social Origins of World Hegemonies   Presenter:_____________________ Presenter:_____________________
February 8 Arrighi & Silver: Chaos & Governance in the MWS   Chapter 4: Western Hegemonies in World-Historical Perspectives & "Conclusion" Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________	February 10 Martin: Making Waves, World Social Movements Foreword, Introduction, and Chapter 1: The Transformation of the Capitalist World: 1750-1850 Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________
February 15 Martin: Making Waves, World Social Movements Chapters 2 & 3 Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________	February 17 Martin: Making Waves, World Social Movements Chapters 4 & 5 Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________
February 22 Arrighi: Adam Smith in Beijing Introduction and Chapter 1 Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________	February 24 [first paper due in class] Arrighi: Adam Smith in Beijing Chapters 2 & 3 Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________
March 1 Arrighi: Adam Smith in Beijing Chapters 4 & 5 Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________	March 3 Arrighi: Adam Smith in Beijing Chapters 6 & 7 Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________
March 8 Arrighi: Adam Smith in Beijing Chapters 8 & 9 Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________	March 10 Arrighi: Adam Smith in Beijing Chapters 10 & 11 Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________
March 15 Arrighi: Adam Smith in Beijing Chapters 12 & Epilogue Presenter:____________________ Presenter:____________________	Second paper & first paper re-write both due before noon, Thursday, March  18, at Dr. Santos Office