GLOBALISATION AND ITS THREATS/PROSPECTS FOR CONTEMPORARY WORLD

GLOBALISATION AND ITS THREATS/ PROSPECTS FOR CONTEMPORARY WORLD (100h)
Responsible lecturers: Professor Anna Siwik*, Ph.D., Anna Małecka, Ph.D. **
GLOBALISATION AND ITS THREATS/ PROSPECTS FOR CONTEMPORARY WORLD (40h)
The objective of the course lies in presenting and discussing the major current issues related to the social, economic, political and cultural implications of globalisation. The methodology and knowledge in the field of social sciences, political science, economics, and cultural studies acquired by students during the classes will enable them to analyse the diversified and complex phenomena observed in the contemporary world, and also to assess them critically. The aim of the course consists also in the development of students’ awareness and understanding of the contemporary global problems and the encouragement to participate actively in the processes of building up a democratic society based on the principles of justice, in cooperation with the youth from various regions and countries of the world.
The course will consist of lectures, classes, presentations, projects and discussions/debates.
The following basic issues are included in the course syllabus:

Part One: Political Aspects of the Contemporary Globalised World (10 hours)
1. Basic knowledge of political systems. Examples of political systems in the 21st century.
2. Types of democracy.
3. Political globalisation.
4. International institutions and supranational organisations.
5. Government and non-government organisations.
6. International political relations.
7. Political conflicts in the contemporary world, their causes and effects (Africa, Middle East, and others).
8. Religious fundamentalism
9. Human rights.

Part Two: Major Economic Factors (10 hours)
1. Basic macroeconomic factors.
2. GDP.
3. Unemployment rate.
4. Economic growth indicators.
5. Inflation.
6. Monetary and fiscal policy.
7. Taxes.
8. Interest rates. Profits. Credits.
9. International trade.
10. World Trade Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund.
11. Global macroeconomics.
12. Neoliberalism.
13. Protectionism.
14. Sustainable development.

Part Three: Social Problems Related to Globalisation (10 hours)
1. Global nature of ethnic relations – race and ethnic relations, racism. Ethnic stratification: dominant groups and minorities. Mechanisms of ethnic dominance: prejudices and discrimination
2. Nationalism.
3. Inequalities.
4. Migrations.
5. Standard of living.
6. Poverty
7. Demography.

Part Four: Cultural Dimension of Globalisation (10 hours)
1. Education.
2. Development of technology and the role of new media in the globalised world.
3. Knowledge-based society/information society and digital divide.
4. Cultural patterns.
5. The role of languages/dialects.
6. Globalised culture and art.
7. Intercultural communication
8. Ethical problems of the globalised world.

Evaluation:

Final exam: 30%
Participation in class discussion: 20%
Results of partial tests: 50%
2 LENGUA POLACA (20h)
3 RELACIÓN HUMANA (40h)
*The Head of the Summer School: Professor Anna Siwik, Ph.D., Vice Rector for Students Affairs, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, Poland, Member of PAU Commission of Research on the Polish Diaspora by the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences; member of World Research Council on Poles Abroad; Chairman of the Board of Audit of the International Association for Geotourism.
Professional interests: the Political, Societal and Cultural Transformation of Polish Society after World War II, the Polish Political Diaspora after World War II, the Social Democratic Movement.
Major books (in Polish): Polish Socialist Party in Émigré Conditions, 1945-1956, Krakow 1998; Democracy: Theory-Ideas-Institutions, (ed.) Torun 2000 (third edition 2003); Polish Political Exiles, 1956-1990, Krakow 2002; From the Industrial Society to the Information Society, (ed.) Krakow 2007; From the Factory Hand to the Internet Sufferer, (ed.) Krakow 2008.
** The programme of the School developed by: Anna Małecka, Ph.D., Vice Dean for Cooperation, Faculty of Humanities, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, Poland, teaching the following courses: History of Philosophy, The World of Art, Rhetoric and Media Genres, Introduction to Rhetoric, Museums of the World, Aesthetics of Traditional and New Media. Major research areas: British Philosophy, Aesthetics, Philosophy of Art, Museology Media Studies. Over 30 publications, including 2 books. Numerous translations of Anglo-Saxon literature and philosophy. Head of the Audit Committee of the Kraków Branch of the Polish Philosophical Association, member of The Carlyle Society, Edinburgh, Chairman of the “Solidarity” Movement Branch at the Faculty of Humanities, Sworn Translator at the Regional Court in Kraków (English-Polish).