Ghent University UGent Ghent Centre for Global Studies Erasmus Mundus Global Studies Master Programme Responsibility Dept. of History Module number 1 Module title Introduction to Global History and Global Studies Winter (1 st Semester) 2 mandatory courses: 1) Critical Global Theories 5 ECTS 2) Research Seminar Global Studies 5 ECTS Forms of teaching Lecture, group work, seminar, integration seminar Workload Total study time: 300 hrs Ability to critically interrogate research questions from the social and human sciences within the context of global studies Knowledge of the most important theories and concepts in the research field of global studies, and are able to critically evaluate them Ability to independently analyze and interpret social processes in a global context, and discuss critically processes of globalization Ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary setting, and evaluate this critically Key words human history, transitions, development and social change, civilizations, historical capitalism, globalization, ideology and world views, social sciences This module provides a critical introduction into theories and concepts of 'global studies', with applications on the basis of a set of historical or current research problems. The course aims to impart to students a critical insight into various and divergent models of explanation of social change on a global scale and in the long run. The range is broad, from perspectives on modernization, over dependentia and world systems theories, to globalization theories. Students acquire a nuanced insight into the pros and cons of holistic models of analysis and are able to critically apply these. In addition, they are familiarized with the core concepts of global studies and world history, with the main criticisms of these notions and with applications within the different social sciences. We start with an introduction on the divergent conceptualizations of global studies and global/world history. Next, some debates on global social change are situated within the field of social-historical 1
studies. This is done by a series of discussion seminars with an active participation of the students. Bachelor degree VANHAUTE, Eric (2013). World History. An Introduction. London: Routledge. Reader provided. Participation, assignment, oral exam Responsibility Dept. of Political Sciences, Dept. of Philosophy and Moral Sciences Module number 2 Module title Global Governance and Global Justice Winter (1 st Semester) 2 mandatory courses: 1) Globalisation and Global Governance 5 ECTS 2) Global Ethics 5 ECTS Forms of teaching Lecture, seminar, guided self-study Workload Total study time: 300 hrs a profound knowledge of the architecture of global governance and the current pressure points, paying attention to the historical and ideological dimension. Ability to theoretically reflect upon global governance. Ability to chart the relevant discourses and arguments concerning the main global governance issues, and to be able to critically interpret them (that is, as far as their ideological dimension is concerned). Awareness of the role and the responsibility of political scientists and other social scientists in the public debate concerning global problems. Understanding the complexity of the problems facing a globalised world with regard 1 to moral values and norms. Understanding, critically commenting and independently applying general theoretical approaches and specific arguments in the field of global ethics. Key words global governance, globalization, multilateralism, global ethics, global justice This module is centred on the interconnections between globalisation, world politics and global ethics: it focuses on key issues of the global condition (e.g. economic and financial globalisation, climate change and sustainable development, etc.) from the perspective of global governance and global justice. The component Globalisation and global governance will familiarize students with the causes of global governance issues, as well as with 2
the institutions and regimes that formulate an answer to these problems. In the process, ample attention will be paid to the historical context, the relation between politics and economics as a general background to the issues of global governance and related policy, as well as to the ideological component. The component Global ethics will discuss the ethical implications of globalisation and the questions of global ethics underpinning global governance issues: the possible orientations and contents of a global ethics, the implications of globalisation for individual responsibility and the analysis of specific case studies (including commodification and commercialisation of human beings and their body parts; climate change and the environmental crisis). Bachelor degree WEISS, Thomas G., WILKINSON, Rorden (eds.) (2014). International Organization and Global Governance. London: Routledge. Reader provided via online teaching platform Minerva. Oral and written exam Responsibility Dept. of Conflict and Development Studies, Dept. of Sociology Module number 3 Module title Conflict and Development in a Globalizing World I Winter (1 st Semester) 2 mandatory courses: 1) Seminar Conflict and Development in a Global World 5 ECTS 2) Ethnography of Conflict and Development 5 ECTS Forms of teaching Lecture, seminar, PDE tutorial, guided self-study, self-reliant study activities Workload Total study time: 300 hrs Master the basic concepts of ethnographic and qualitative research Balance the strengths and weaknesses of these methods in the field Engage critically with the social science literature on method and methodology Engage critically with theories and practices associated with the production of knowledge about the political world Understanding of the complexity of conflict and development processes in the periphery and situate and relate this knowledge in(to) larger sociological theories of processes of social transformation 3
Key words Understand and apply existing theoretical frameworks to analyse and evaluate critically processes of conflict and development Familiarity with contemporary debates within ethnographic research on conflict and development Qualitative research methods and design, ethnography, fieldwork, political geography, sociology, genealogy, conflict, development, processes of social transformation, complex emergencies, informality, humanitarian questions This module focuses on the sociology and ethnography of conflict and development in a global world. Ethnography of Conflict and Development provides students with theoretical insights into, and methodological knowledge about larger processes of conflict and development in the periphery. This course aims at providing theoretical knowledge and understanding of definitions, explanatory models, theories and approaches to dynamics of conflict and processes of development. This knowledge will be further elaborated using concrete examples and current research drawn from the disciplines of humanitarian and development studies, anthropology and political sociology, sustained by ethnographic research methods. The seminar component provides an advanced exploration into the theory, technique and practice of fieldwork, and demonstrates the relevance of fieldwork to salient themes of contemporary social and political science. Special attention will be given to the latest trends in ethnographic research, e.g. global/multi-sited ethnography, genealogical method, biopolitics, concern with spatial production, anthropology of the state, and the influence of network and actornetwork theories. Students will have to deploy these insights and methods in practice via the design and execution of group research projects. Reader available via online learning platform Minerva Participation, assignment, PBL (problem-based learning) tutorial, peer assessment, written exam Responsibility Dept. of General Economics, Dept. of History Module number 4 Module title History and Political Economy of Global Capitalism Summer (2 nd Semester) 2 mandatory courses: 1) Introduction to Global Economic History 5 ECTS 2) Economic Globalisation 5 ECTS Forms of teaching Lecture, guided self-study Workload Total study time: 300 hrs 4
Key words Understanding the impact of changing economic structures on societal processes. Ability to reflect in a critical way on the role of globalisation in contemporary society. Knowledge of the broad outlines of recent economic history. Understanding the different models of economic change and development, and ability to evaluate them critically. Understanding the welfare and income distribution issues of globalisation. Understanding and the critical appreciation of the arguments proand against protectionism and of the regionalism versus multilateralism issue. Understanding of the principles of the WTO and the current trade policy disputes. Economic and social history, Development theories, Historical capitalism, Globalisation, social and economic role of the state, International trade, international trade policy, regional integration, capital flows, world economy, World Trade Organisation This module focuses on the global economic history and political economy. The historical component focuses on the historical trajectory of capitalism. It starts with a discussion on theories of economic development and on the definition of capitalism. After that a chronological overview is given of the economic and social transformations of the last three centuries. The dynamic of economic globalisation within world history will be focussed upon by analyzing the influence of globalisation throughout time on states, markets and people. Special attention will be paid to global, international and national inequality and how the state tried to tame the insecurities of the market in 20th century industrial economies. The economic component focuses on the determinants of international trade and investment, discussing the theory of international trade, Foreign Direct Investment and Multinational Corporations, as well as international trade policy. Economic globalisation familiarizes students with the economic theories of international trade, international trade policy and the principles and organisation of the WTO. ALLEN, Robert C. (2011). Global Economic History. A Very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. APPLEYARD, Dennis, FIELD, Alfred & COBB, Steven (2009). International Economics (7th edition). Columbus: Mac Graw Hill. Written exam Academic degree Responsibility Master Dept. of Political Sciences 5
Module number 5 Module title Europe as a Global Actor Summer (and Winter) (2 nd Semester, and 2 electives in 1 st semester) 1 (or 2) semester(s) Choose 2 out of the following 6 electives: 1) EU East Asia Relations 5 ECTS Winter 2) European Common Foreign and Security Policy 5 ECTS Winter 3) European Union Trade Policy 5 ECTS Summer 4) The European Union s Neighbourhood Policies 5 ECTS Summer 5) The European Union s International Development Policy 5 ECTS Summer 6) Global Energy Politics 5 ECTS Summer Forms of teaching Lecture, (integration) seminar, group work, micro-teaching, guided self-study and/or self-reliant study activities Workload Total study time: 300 hrs Understanding and profound knowledge of EU external policies (historical evolution and institutional context) in specific areas Ability to explain and assess historical and current events in the EU s external action from theory-building in the political Key words sciences. Ability to make a critical assessment of (assertions of) the EU s role in the world, with special attention to questions of power and ideology. EU politics, external/foreign policy, role of Europe in the world, area studies, international peace and security, trade, development and neighbourhood policies, energy politics This module aims to impart students with a profound knowledge of, insight in, and critical attitude towards the European Union as a global actor. Its 6 electives allow for specialization depending on the student s own preferences and academic ambitions. It builds on previous modules (2, 3 and 4), focusing on the EU s role in global governance and economic globalisation, including trade, development and energy policies, as well as human rights and democracy promotion. BISCOP, Sven & COELMONT, Jo (2012). Europe, Strategy and Armed Forces - The Making of a Distinctive Power. Londen: Routledge. Readers provided on the online learning platform Minerva Participation, assignment, written and/or oral exam 6
Responsibility Dept. of Conflict and Development Studies, Dept. of History, Dept. of Political Science, Dept. of General Economics, Dept. of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, EMGS consortium Module number 6 Module title Global Studies Winter and Summer School Winter and Summer Forms of teaching Seminar, guided self-study, assignment Workload Winter School, 5 ECTS = 150 hrs total study time Summer School, 5 ECTS = 150 hrs total study time Knowledge about specified discussion themes in Global Studies, preparation of topics for a master thesis. Winter and Summer Schools provide the chance to discuss specified topics among students and teachers of all consortium member universities and thus to recognize and criticize varying approaches. Discussion is prepared by reading programs and test presentations beforehand. Website of the EMGS consortium Participation, assignment Responsibility Dept. of History Module number 7 Module title Global History: Europe and the World Winter (3 rd Semester) 2 mandatory courses: 1) The History of European Expansion in the Early Modern Period 5 ECTS 2) Research Seminar World History 5 ECTS Forms of teaching Lecture, (integration) seminar, group work, self-reliant study activities Workload Total study time: 300 hrs knowledge of the history and historiography of European expansion and the interaction of social and economic historical processes in Europe, Africa, Asia and America. Knowledge of the theoretical paradigms from global/world history. Ability to critically assess research questions from the social sciences against insights from global/world history. 7
Key words Ability to relate historical debates to current global issues. Global history, world history, world-systems analysis, globalisation, colonialism, imperialism, eurocentrism, interaction, connection, social change This historical module covers the early modern and modern period. The first component covers the history and historiography of the European expansion from the 15th to the 18th century as well as on the resulting historical interactions on worldwide scale. It discusses the early phase of European colonialism and imperialism, and the evolution in historiography from a Eurocentric vision towards a history of interaction: analysis of the consequences for the history of Europe, Africa, Asia and America on a political, economic and cultural level. The second component focuses more on modern times and starts with an overview of different paradigms of global/world history, with applications starting from a set of historical and current research questions. Students become acquainted with core concepts of worldsystems analysis and world history, its most important critiques, and a range of applications within various social sciences. First, a discussion of case studies (universal versus human history, transitions and revolutions, global connections, man and ecology, growth and inequality etc.) allows us to analyse the diverging research angles within the field of global/world history. Next, interactive seminars introduce a few controversies over global social change within the social scientific field. Reader provided Participation, assignment, peer assessment, oral exam Responsibility Dept. of Conflict and Development Studies, Dept. of History Module number 8 Module title World Societies: Perspectives from the Global South I Africa Winter (3 rd Semester) Choose 2 out of the following 4 electives: 1) Sub-Saharan Africa 5 ECTS 2) Politics and Globalisation in Central and Eastern Africa 5 ECTS 3) Research Seminar African History 5 ECTS 4) Poverty, Development and Inequality in Modern African History Forms of teaching Lecture, seminar, self-reliant study activities Workload Total study time 300 hrs 8
Profound knowledge of African history and historiography / politics and societies, and understanding of the intersection of local and global dynamics in this area Knowledge and understanding of key concepts and debates in African Studies Ability to apply these concepts to new information regarding African societies and/or situate new information within these scientific debates Ability to apply in the African context, concepts and methods from the human and social sciences for the study of globalisation Development of a critical attitude towards past and current issues regarding power, the economy and culture in African states and societies. Key words Area studies, Africa, globalisation, colonisation/decolonisation, history, historiography, power, agency, development, state, statebuilding, development, conflict, post-conflict, politics, democratisation governance, civil society, social movements This first area studies module is devoted entirely to Africa, with 4 elective courses from political sciences and history, focusing on globalisation, development, state-building and power. All courses are designed to provide insight in contemporary political and social dynamics in African societies through an historical and critical approach, with special attention to the intersection of local and global processes. Reader provided via the online teaching platform Minerva Participation, assignment, peer assessment, written exam Responsibility Dept. of Conflict and Development Studies Module number 9 Module title World Societies: Perspectives from the Global South II Middle East, Asia, Latin America Winter (3 rd Semester) Choose 2 out of the following 5 electives: 1) Mashrek 5 ECTS 2) Maghreb 5 ECTS 3) South-East Asia 5 ECTS 4) Central and South Asia 5 ECTS 5) Latin America 5 ECTS Forms of teaching Lecture, seminar, self-reliant study activities, guided self-study, micro-teaching 9
Workload Key words Total study time 300 hrs Profound knowledge of the history, politics and society in specific world regions, and understanding of the intersection of local and global dynamics in these areas Knowledge and understanding of key concepts and debates in the area studies of those regions Ability to apply these concepts to new information regarding these world societies and/or situate new information within these scientific debates Ability to apply in the particular regional context, concepts and methods from the human and social sciences for the study of globalisation Development of a critical attitude towards past and current issues regarding power, the economy and culture in those regions and societies. Area Studies, Maghreb, Mashrek, South-East Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, Latin America, colonisation/decolonisation, history, globalisation, power, agency, state, state-building, development, conflict, post-conflict, politics, democratization, governance, civil society, social movements The second area studies module consists of 5 electives, covering the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, allowing the students to specialize in two regional trajectories, in addition to the African focus of the first area studies module. These 5 components provide an insight into the (modern) history and current political processes in these regions / world societies, focusing on globalisation, development, state and power. All courses are designed to provide insight in contemporary political and social dynamics in these regions / societies through an historical and critical approach, with special attention to the intersection of local and global processes. Reader provided Assignment, written and/or oral exam Responsibility Dept. of Conflict and Development Studies, Dept. of Geography, Dept. of European, Public and International Law Module number 10 Module title Conflict and Development in a Globalising World II Summer (and Winter) (4 th Semester, and 1 elective in 3 rd semester) 1 (or 2) semester(s) Choose 2 out of the following 3 electives: 1) Urbanisation in Global Perspective 5 ECTS Winter 2) Human Rights in Developing Countries 5 ECTS Summer 10
3) Gender and Globalisation 5 ECTS Summer Forms of teaching Lecture, seminar, micro-teaching, group work Workload Total study time 300 hrs Insight in urbanisation processes, gendered power relations and/or human rights issues in a globalising world Knowledge of the main concepts and debates regarding urbanisation, gender and/or human rights in relation to globalisation, with particular attention to the Global South Ability to apply the key concepts of urban studies, gender studies and/or human rights law in global studies Ability to assess and analyze new information regarding urbanisation processes, the gender dimension of globalisation and/or human rights issues in developing countries, from a critical global perspective Key words Globalisation, urban geography, human rights law, gender studies, urbanisation, global cities, global South, development, gender, human rights The second module on Conflict and Development in a Globalising world allows students to specialize and become acquainted with different approaches in Global Studies, and aspects of globalisation, with special attention to the Global South: a geographical component on urbanisation in a global perspective, discussing the concept of global cities, the political, social and cultural construction of global cities in the Global North and South, migration, work and housing, slums a legal component on human rights in developing countries, focusing on the history of human rights systems, the supervision of and the dynamics of human rights protection in international law at the global and regional levels, and in domestic law of a selection of developing countries, as well as a solid understanding of and a critical view on a number of central human rights topics. a gender studies component, providing insight in globalisation as a gendered phenomenon (labour, migration, reproduction, care, etc.), offering an intersectional perspective, interconnecting global and gender studies, with special attention to conflict and development in the Global South. Reader provided Participation, assignment, oral and/or written exam Academic degree Master 11
Responsibility Dept. of Conflict and Development Studies, Dept. of History, Dept. of Political Science, Dept. of General Economics, Dept. of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Dept. of Geography, Dept. of European, Public and International Law Module number 11 Module title Advanced Research Seminar Global Studies Summer (4 th Semester) ECTS 5 Forms of teaching Seminar, guided self-study, micro-teaching Workload Total study time 150 hrs in-depth knowledge of advanced methods and analytical concepts in Global Studies. Acquisition of methodological knowledge and critical analytical skills necessary for researching and writing a master thesis. The interdisciplinary Advanced Research Seminar Global Studies provides in depth and advanced training in critical Global Studies, and analytical tools and methodology in related fields, such as Global History, Conflict and Development Studies, International Studies and Area Studies, next to general scholarly skills such as reading, writing and discussing. Each year has a different thematic axis / focus. It is taught by lecturers of the Ghent Centre for Global Studies and international guest lecturers, introducing students to the most recent and innovative debates, concepts and methods in Global Studies. The seminar partially relies on the input and questions of students regarding the conceptual framework and appropriate methodologies for their own research (Master thesis). Reader provided through the online teaching platform Zephyr Participation, assignment Responsibility Dept. of Conflict and Development Studies, Dept. of History, Dept. of Political Science, Dept. of General Economics, Dept. of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Dept. of Geography, Dept. of European, Public and International Law Module number 12 Module title Master Thesis Every term (recommended for 4 th semester) ECTS 15 Forms of teaching Master thesis Workload total study time 450 hrs 12
Writing a scientific text based on original research according to academic standards and rules Specific topic chosen by each individual student after intensive counselling by a supervisor To be decided in close consultation with the supervisor Master thesis 13