SOC7330 – Globalizations

Week 1 - Introduction
Lecturer: Dr. Tobias Zuser
Dr. Tobias Zuser

 Lecturer at Global Studies Programme (CUHK, HKBU), Social

Science Department (EdUHK)
 Research Developer at Digital Narratives Studio, School of
Journalism & Communication, CUHK
 Fellow at Asia Research Institute, Nottingham University
 Previously arts and event manager in Berlin and Beijing
 Research focus: media studies, globalization, policy, sports,
and culture
 Consultant, media analyst and researcher
 Podcast host and radio commentator
Lecture

Email: tzuser@hkbu.edu.hk
Lecture: Wed, 12:30-15:20 - DLB702
Consultations: upon appointment
Face-to-face classes
No classes on 24 Jan, 14 Feb, 3 Apr; additional lecture
date on 24 Apr
Lecture

Syllabus & Weekly Schedule on Moodle

Please check your Email and Moodle
regularly
Readings and Rubrics are on Moodle
No tolerance for plagiarism (Turn-It-In
assignments)
Lecture

 3 hr lectures are generally too long…

 We will have several breaks
 Master Level Course = Teaching at Eye-Level
 Flexibility to accommodate your own interest and own research
 Share your own feelings, stories, opinions on the various topics
Assignments

Participation – 20% (individual)

Presentation & Response – 30% (group)
Essay Proposal – 10% (individual)
Essay – 40% (individual)
Presentation & Response (30%)

 You have to work in a group of 5-6

students (to be confirmed after class size
is clear) – and you will be assigned for
two activities: presentation (20%) and
response (asking questions and
commenting on the presentation of
another group – 10%).
 We will finalize the presentation groups
next week (after the add-drop period
finished)
Presentation & Response (30%)

In your 30-minute presentation, you have to:

show your understanding of the assigned reading by teaching
the class the critical concepts and the arguments of the
author(s),
further illustrate, if possible, with your own examples based on the
concepts and arguments, and
reflect on the concepts and arguments by asking yourself: Are
they still relevant/appropriate in the current context?
What is a good presentation?

 Selective summary not a

detailed/descriptive summary
 Show original engagement (own examples,
own thoughts, own connections)
 Present/deliver dynamically (e.g. don’t
read from slides)
 Consider timing (~30 min) and pace
 You must upload the PPT before your
presentation – as the grading will be directly
done on Moodle
What is a good response?

 Give some comments about the

presentation
 Ask 3-4 meaningful questions
 Share your opinions about the
topic
Term Paper – 50%

 For your term paper you can choose a topic

of interest in globalization – with the focus on
historical contexutalization. You are then
expected to critically analyze the issue with
an adequate theoretical/conceptual
foundation and empirical research.
 Expected length: ~2,000 words (12 pts, single
spaced, Times New Roman, excl.
references/bibliography).
 Please hand in a 1-page proposal by 28 Feb,
23:59.
 The final paper is due on 3 May, 23:59.
Important Dates

28 Feb: Submit your essay proposal (via Turn-it-in

on Moodle, 23:59)
3 May: Submit your essay (via Turn-it-in on Moodle,
23:59)
Please only submit PDF file
The Big Globalizations Ice-Braker Quiz

Pick a name for your team

3 prizes

NO CHEATING
NO PHONE (immediate disqualification)
SPELLING DOESN’T MATTER
The mystery “s”

Why do you think this course

is called “Globalizations”?
No, it’s not a typo.
Our Weekly Schedule

• Week 2: Age(s) of Globalization

• Week 3: Columbian Exchange
• Week 4: Industrialization, Human Environments, Global Migration
• Week 5: Media and Globalization: From Orientalism to Sino-Futurism
and Afro-Futurism
• Week 6: Digitalization and Technology
• Week 7: Globalizing Sports: South African Rugby, Indian Cricket, and
Chinese Football
Our Weekly Schedule

• Week 8: Histories of Capitalism

• Week 9: The Arts World: The Birth of the Museum
• Week 10: Global Issues from Movies
• Week 11: Korea, India, and Japan
• Week 12: Africa’s dual histories and Sino-African engagements
• Week 13: Conclusion and Wrap-up
Please check syllabus for detailed schedule
Thank you!

See you next week!

tzuser@hkbu.edu.hk