Globalization: The Good, the Bad and the In-Between
MIT OpenCourseWare offers this seminar on the paradoxes of contemporary globalization, tracing how history, geography, language and cultural norms combine to shape distinct ways of life around the world. The course draws on fiction, nonfiction, audio recordings, maps and visual materials to examine globalization's cultural, linguistic, social and political effects across national borders. Class sessions combine lectures, discussions and student presentations, pushing students to weigh globalization's benefits against its costs rather than settle on a single verdict. Full syllabus, readings and assignment materials are published free through MIT OpenCourseWare; there is no certificate, but all course content is openly available for self-study.