Anne Hamilton, Department of Political Science
Office: White 311
Phone: 262-472-1214
Email: hamiltoa@uww.edu

Course Prerequisites:

3 credits of Political Science, Sociology, Global Perspectives,Individual and Society, or Consent of the Instructor.

Required Texts: None - Required readings will be assigned.

Recommended Texts:

Culture Shock: Mexico, Marc Cramer, Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co., Revised edition, 2002. (Student Purchase)
Moon Handbooks: Oaxaca 2 Ed: Mountain Craft Regions, Archaeological Sites (Student Purchase)
Coastal Resorts, Bruce Whipperman, New York, Avalon Travel Publishing 2002. (Student Purchase)

The Sociology and Politics of Globalization Travel Study – Mexico course is designed to enrich student understanding of the social, political, and environmental consequences of economic and cultural globalization in Mexico. The class will give students insight into the social and political effects of globalization on the people and environment that country. Through the study of political sociology, and economic development, students will examine how different development paths affect the growth or alleviation of poverty, the increase or decrease in race, ethnic, and gender equity, and the spread of cultural homogenization and transnational stratification. Students who sign up for this course will meet six times during the fall semester (in November and December on Thursday evenings) prior to the travel study. These three-hour meetings will include orientations to Mexico, the study of globalization, and its social and political consequences in that country. The course will also include sessions on "survival" Spanish. Any student who has taken Global Perspectives, Individual and Society, or a course in political science, sociology, or international studies will be eligible.

The travel-study component will include a 13 day travel component, with visits to Oaxaca, Teotitlán, Pluma Hidalgo, and Puerto Escondido. Students will tour an organic coffee farm, an indigenous village dedicated to the weaving trade, and an international business enterprise. These visits will allow students to compare development strategies on local populations and the local environment. During the travel study, selected speakers will address the group about Mexican development history, indigenous rights, and sustainable agriculture. Examples of cultural and social activities include visiting a large regional indigenous market, the Zapotec ruins at Monte Albán and Mitla in Oaxaca, visits to art galleries and art museums, visits to anthropoloigcal museums, village folk art tours, and beach activities.

This travel study course has been designed to provide students with the opportunities to:

1. Enhance understanding of the connections between culture, the economy, the environment and politics of Mexico in the context of globalization.

2. Develop a greater comprehension of the complexity of third world development issues.

3. Introduce students to comparative politics and sociology and the globalized connections between the United States and the third world.

4. Expand students’ life experiences as they observe and participate in some of the cornerstones of third world development.

5. Gain an appreciation and respect for the cultures and traditions of Mexico.

Attendance in this class is required for all sessions. All work missed due to absences must be made up. Any session missed must be made up with a five page report on the material missed. University approved absences will not be penalized, but work must be made up nevertheless. Excessive absenteeism will lower the student’s grade at least one letter.

There will be two tests for this course. Together they will constitute 60% of the course grade. The remaining 40% will come from a class report, class participation, and a written report (approximately 10 pages in length) which will be written after travel to Mexico has been completed. Class participation will be worth 10% of the final grade. The written paper will be worth 20% of the grade. All final grades will be assigned after travel to Mexico. Interim grades for the course will be assigned as "Incompletes."

This class will meet six times during the fall semester for three hour sessions each meeting. Dates will be announced. The mid-term and final exams will be given online.

Summary: Exams 60%
Class report 10%
Class participation 10%
Final paper 20%

Total 100%

The grade scale for this class will be as follows:

A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = Below 60%

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The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment.  It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accommodations, Academic Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination and Absence for University  Sponsored Events (for details please refer to the Schedule of Classes;  the "Rights and Responsibilities" section of the Undergraduate Catalog;  the Academic Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and Services sections of the Graduate Catalog;  and the "Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures (UWS Chapter 14);  and the "Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures" (UWS Chapter 17).