CSTCTR 400 Communities in Global Context

3 Credit(s)

Contemporary communities, especially but not exclusively those in urban areas, are linked in a number of ways to communities in other countries and other continents. Many communities and segments of communities are transnational in culture, language, and even politics. Moreover, all communities share the circumstance of being heavily and constantly affected by the global economy, in which major changes often result from decisions that are made in distant places and implemented by multinational organizations. Contemporary communities, therefore, operate politically in interaction not only with regional and national structures, but also with international ones. Most significant issues of social justice have global dimensions. Therefore, in order to understand and participate effectively in modern communities, it is important to comprehend their global aspects. These aspects can only be understood from an interdisciplinary perspective. In this course, students will demonstrate an understanding of the multiple ways in which communities are embedded in networks and relationships that extend across national boundaries, and can describe the effects on community dynamics. Examine relevant concepts and knowledge from history, the social sciences, and cultural studies to explain the multiple, connected global relationships that affect communities.