OVERVIEW

Title and description

This course module, entitled "Course Module in THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD” introduces
students by examining the multifaceted phenomenon of globalization. Using the various disciplines of
the social sciences, it examines the economic, social, political, technological, and other
transformations that have created an increasing awareness of the interconnectedness of people and
places around the globe. To this end, the course provides an overview of the various debates in global
governance, development, and sustainability. Beyond exposing the student to the world outside the
Philippines, it seeks to inculcate a sense of global citizenship and global ethical responsibility.

Purpose of the Module

This module is intended to provide students with an exclusive background of the contemporary
world to expose the student to the world outside the Philippines, and seeks to inculcate a sense of
global citizenship and global ethical responsibility.

Module Guide

This module is designed to engage you, as a learner, in a flexible learning environment. With
that, this module encourages independent and self-regulated learning. This is written so that I, as your
instructor, are communicating directly to you as my students.
Each unit comprises activities for you to accomplish individually at your own time and pace. You
may also discuss with your co-learners and the course instructor. These activities have been designed
to help you judge and monitor your progress as you go through this course. Remember that you need
to work diligently on the given self-assessment tests and activities to determine how much you have
learned and how well you are progressing with your learning.
The topics included in this module is divided into three (4) units. This is because each topic is
designed to be finished in a week setting. All in all, the module is expected to get finished in four
months or equivalent to one (1) semester.
On an important note, you have to go through the module in sequence since topics are
interconnected from previous topics. The overview of each unit is as follows:

• Unit 1 – Introduction to Globalization and the Globalization of Religion

This unit will discuss the underlying philosophies of the varying definitions of globalization and
the working definition of globalization, as well as explain how globalization affects religious practices
and beliefs.

• Unit 2 – Global Population and Mobility and the Global Economy

This unit will discuss the theory of demographic transition as it affects global population and the
political, economic, cultural, and social factors underlying the global movements of people

• Unit 3 – A World of Regions and Market Integration

This unit will discuss the Global South from the Third World and the roles of international
corporations.
• Unit 4 – The Global Interstate System and Global Citizenship
This unit will discuss Explain the effects of globalization on governments Identify that govern
international relations and the ethical obligations of global citizenship.
Course Outline
MODULE TOPICS SCHEDULE
Module 1 Defining Globalization Week 1
Introduction to
Globalization Metaphors of Globalization Week 1

Origins and History of Week 2

Globalization

Globalization Theories Week 2

Dynamics of Local and Week 3

Global Cultures
The Globalization of Week 5
Religion
Module 2 Global Demography Week 6
Global Population and Global Migration Week 6
Mobility Economic Globalization Week 7
and Global Trade

Economic Globalization, Week 7

The Global Economy Poverty, and Inequality

The Modern World Week 8

Systems
Theories of Global Week 8
Stratification
Midterm Exam Week 9
Module 3 The Global City Week 10
A World of Regions

The North and the South Week 11

The Third World and the Week 12

Global South

Market Integration International Financial Week 13

Institutions

History of Market Week 14

Integration

Global Corporations Week 15

Module 4 Global Governance in the Week 16

The Global Interstate 21st Century
System
Institutions that Govern Week 16
International Relations
Global Citizenship Week 17
Global Citizenship
Final exam Weeks 18
Deadline of the project Weeks 18
Module outcomes

At the end of the module, the learners should be able to:

1. Analyze global issues in relation to Filipinos and the Philippines, and enhance their
communication skills as a trend in the 21st century.
2. Make decisions based on moral norms and imperatives and interpret the human experience
from various perspectives
3. Contribute personally and meaningfully to the country’s development and demonstrate critical,
analytical, and creative thinking.
4. Use current technology to assist and facilitate learning and research and manage one’s
knowledge, skills, and values for responsible and productive living

Module Requirements
The learner will submit answers to questions provided in each succeeding topic according to the time
allotted to them. After the completion of this module, the learners must answer to series of questions in
“Berlitz” or phone interview regarding the effects of globalization in the economy today.
Rubrics for Berlitz
CATEGORY 5 POINTS 3 POINTS 1POINTS
Quality of Contributions Students shows full Student does an Student does a poor
grasp and assimilation average grasp and grasp and assimilation
of the topic assimilation of the topic of the topic
Compliance Outstanding Average application of Poor application of
application of assigned assigned reading(s). assigned reading(s).
reading(s).
Timeliness Does an outstanding Does an average job in Does a poor job in time
job in time time management and management and
management and active participation in active participation in
active participation in answering the answering the
answering the questions. questions.
questions.
Spelling/Grammar Does an outstanding Does an average job in Does a poor in spelling
job in spelling and use spelling and use of and use of grammar.
of grammar. grammar.
Critical Thinking Does an outstanding Does an average Does a poor reasoning
reasoning on the reasoning on the on the arguments of
arguments of the topic. arguments of the topic. the topic.

Pre-assessment
Before we begin, we will check your prior knowledge of the subject matter of this course module.
Answer the questions provided below.

Choose the letter that represents the correct answer.

1. İt is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies and governments
of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by
information technology.
a. Globalization c. Sovereignty
b. State d. Multilateral
2. Importance of sovereign states such as balance of power, dominant state at a particular
moment and consequent interests.
a. Marxism c. Feminism
b. Liberalism d. Political Realism
 3. It is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and world views that establishes
symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and to moral values.
a. Ideas c. Religion
b. Free-flow d. Computer
4. It is a generalized description of the changing pattern of mortality, fertility and growth rates
as societies move from one demographic regime to another.
a. Demonstration c. Demographic Transition Theory
b. Demographics d. Global Demography

5. These are characteristics of destination countries that attract immigrant wish to get better
living and working conditions.
a. Push Factors c. Economic Reasons
b. Pull Factors d. Environmental Aspects
6. It is a situation in which people go to live in foreign countries, especially to find work.
a. Immigration c. Global Demography
b. Emigration d. Global Migration
7. Also called world city or sometimes alpha city or world center, is a city which is a primary
node in the global economic network.
a. Manila City c. Global City
b. New Clark City d. New York City
8. It is the study of a population based on factors such as age, race and sex.
a. Migration c. Psychology
b. Demographics d. Globalization
9. It is the division of social classes and inequality in life chances that differentiates nations
around the world.
a. Global migration c. Global Demography
b. Global Stratification d. Global Economics
10. Exploits the least powerful nations to the benefit of wealthier nations.
a. World Systems Theory c. Demographic Transition Theory
b. Dependency Theory d. Modernization Theory

KEY TERMS

Globalization İt is a process of interaction and integration among the people,

companies and governments of different nations, a process driven
by international trade and investment and aided by information
technology.

Liberalism focuses on Economic developments (market-based), Liberal

democracy, welfare and freedom, technology, and suitable
institutions

Political realism Importance of sovereign states (balance of power, dominant state at

a particular moment; consequent interests) and stressing the
uneven nature of globalization

Marxism Excessive emphasis on class (conflict); overlooking factors such as

culture, gender, sexual orientation, race; stress on surplus
accumulation is too simplistic; limited by ”historical materialism”; the
effects of 1989

Constructivism Trans planetary connectivity due to the importance of symbols,

language, interpretation, etc. in constructing the social world

Postmodernisms The importance of power in shaping knowledge (Foucault);

dominant discourses
Feminisms Gender relations; gender as a social construction and
subordination/marginalization of women

Trans-formationalism argue that globalization occurs as “states and societies across the
globe are experiencing a process of profound change as they try to
adapt to a more interconnected but highly uncertain world”.

Eclecticism Interaction, mutual influence, ”weaving together” aspects of the

current theories

Religion It is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and world views

that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and to
moral values.

The Global City also called world city or sometimes alpha city or world center, is a
city which is a primary node in the global economic network.

Demographics is the study of a population based on factors such as age, race and
sex.

The demographic transition theory is a generalized description of the changing pattern of

mortality, fertility and growth rates as societies move from one
demographic regime to another.

Global migration is a situation in which people go to live in foreign countries,

especially to find work.

Overseas Filipino Worker is a person of Filipino origin who lives outside the Philippines.

Modernization Theory To develop, countries must embrace new technologies and market
driven values.

World Systems Theory Poverty is the result of core nations extracting labor and natural
resources from peripheral nations.

Dependency Theory Exploits the least powerful nations to the benefit of wealthier nations.

MODULE 1
 Introduction to Globalization and
the Globalization of Religion
Globalization Defined

The last sixty years have witnessed a huge increase in globalization, but the
phenomenon has been going on for much longer. Thomas Friedman describes the current trend as
the third great wave of globalization in human history.

Globalization has brought fear of loss of jobs and loss of income, which are often described as
the “race to the bottom,” as industrialized countries are thought to have to reduce wages to be
competitive with those in the developing world. Globalization has also spawned fears about loss of
culture. Many countries worry about their cultures being overwhelmed by that of the United States.
France is a good example. Others fear replacement of their cultures by that of Western nations (e.g.,
some Islamic states). Countries also fear the loss of national sovereignty as they become part of
supranational entitles, like the European Union or the International Monetary Fund. And yet, history
shows that globalization has corresponded to higher national incomes and increased opportunities.
How can these conflicting views be reconciled?

LESSON 1
DEFINITION OF GLOBALIZATION
WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION?

Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies

and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment
and aided by information technology.
İt also describes the changes in societies and the world economy that are the result of
dramatically increased trade and cultural exchange. In specifically economic contexts, it refers
almost exclusively to the effects of trade, particularly trade liberalization or "free trade".

It is a common belief that globalization plays a role just at international levels of trade
and commerce, but the fact is that it has played an important role in making our lives much
more comfortable too. The phones, apparels, gadgets or accessories that we use in our day-to-
day life are be available to us through globalization. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are all under
the impact of globalization, and more importantly it has helped in bringing international peace
and justice to mankind.

Globalization has vorious aspects which affect the world in several different ways:
1. Industrial
• Emergence of worldwide production markets and broader access to a range of
foreign products for consumers and companies.
• Distinguishing this current wave of globalization from earlier ones, author Thomas
Friedman has said that today globalization is "farther, faster, cheaper and deeper."
2. Financial
• Emergence of worldwide financial markets and better access to external financing for
borrowers.
• By the early part of the 21st century more than $1.5 trillion in national currencies were
traded daily to support the expanded levels of trade and investment.
3. Economic
• Realization of a global common market, based on the freedom of exchange of goods
and capital.
• The interconnectedness of these markets, however, meant that an economic collapse
in one area could impact other areas.
4. Political
• Some use "globalization" to mean the creation of a world government which regulates
the relationships among governments and guarantees the rights arising from social
and economic globalization.
• Politically, the United States has enjoyed a position of power among the world
powers, in part because of its strong and wealthy economy.
5. Informational
• Increase in information flows between geographically remote locations. Arguably this
is a technological change with the advent of fiber optic communications, satellites and
increased availability of telephone and Internet.
• Technology has been the other principal driver of globalization. Advances in
information technology, in particular, have dramatically transformed economic life.
6. Technical
 • Development of a Global Information. System, global telecommunications
infrastructure and greater trans-border data flow, using such technologies as the
Internet, communication satellites, submarine fiber optic cable and wireless
telephones.
7. Cultural
• Growth of cross-cultural contacts; advent of new categories of consciousness and
identities which embodies cultural diffusion, the desire to increase one's standard of
living and enjoy foreign products and ideas, adopt new technology and practices and
participate a "world culture". Some bemoan the resulting consumerism and loss of
languages.
CULTURAL EFFECTS
 Globalization has influenced the use of language across the world. This street in Hong
Kong, a former British colony, shows various signs, a few of which incorporate both
Chinese and British English.
 "Culture" is defined as patterns of human activity and the symbols that give these
activities significance. Culture is what people eat, how they dress, the beliefs they hold
and the activities they practice. Globalization has joined different cultures and made it
into something different.
POSITIVE EFFECTS: The benefits of globalization and financial diversification
 Since the mid-1970s, it has been argued that geographic diversification would eventually
generate superior risk-adjusted returns for long-term global investors by reducing overall
portfolio risk while capturing some of the higher rates of return offered by emerging
markets.
 Increased opportunity in the Third World
 Workers in developing countries now have more occupational choices then ever before.
 Educated workers in developing countries are able to compete on the global job market
for high paying jobs.
 Production workers in developing countries are not only able to compete on the global
job market for high paying jobs. Production workers in developing countries are not only
able to compete, they have a strong advantage over their counterparts in the
industrialized world.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS
Globalization has generated significant international opposition over concerns that it has
increased inequality and environmental degradation. In the Midwestern United States,
globalization has eaten away at its competitive edge in industry and agriculture, lowering the
quality of life.
1. Brain Drain
 Opportunities in rich countries drives talent away from poor countries, leading to brain
drains. Brain drain has cost the African continent over $4.1 billion in the employment of
150.000 expatriate professionals annually. Indian students going abroad for their higher
studies costs India a foreign exchange outflow of $10 billion annually.

2. Income Inequality
 The globalization of the job market has had negative consequences in developed
countries. This has resulted in a growing gap between the incomes of the rich and poor.
This trend seems to be greater in the United States than other industrial countries.
 LET’S START
Concept Map of Globalization

Examples of Globalization (Concept Map)

Because of trade developments and financial exchanges, we often think of globalization as an
economic and financial phenomenon. Nonetheless, it includes a much wider field than just flowing of
goods, services or capital. Often referred to as the globalization concept map, some examples of
globalization are:

 Economic globalization: is the development of trade systems within transnational actors such as
corporations or NGOs;
 Financial globalization: can be linked with the rise of a global financial system with international
financial exchanges and monetary exchanges. Stock markets, for instance, are a great example of the
financially connected global world since when one stock market has a decline, it affects other markets
negatively as well as the economy as a whole.
 Cultural globalization: refers to the interpenetration of cultures which, as a consequence, means
nations adopt principles, beliefs, and costumes of other nations, losing their unique culture to a unique,
globalized supra-culture;
 Political globalization: the development and growing influence of international organizations such as
the UN or WHO means governmental action takes place at an international level. There are other
bodies operating a global level such as NGOs like Doctors without borders or Oxfam;
 Sociological globalization: information moves almost in real-time, together with the interconnection
and interdependence of events and their consequences. People move all the time too, mixing and
integrating different societies;
 Technological globalization: the phenomenon by which millions of people are interconnected thanks
to the power of the digital world via platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Skype or Youtube.
 Geographic globalization: is the new organization and hierarchy of different regions of the world that
is constantly changing. Moreover, with transportation and flying made so easy and affordable, apart
from a few countries with demanding visas, it is possible to travel the world without barely any
restrictions;
 Ecological globalization: accounts for the idea of considering planet Earth as a single global entity –
a common good all societies should protect since the weather affects everyone and we are all
protected by the same atmosphere. To this regard, it is often said that the poorest countries that
have been polluting the least will suffer the most from climate change.

THINK AND REFLECT

ESSAY:
After centuries of technological progress and advances in international cooperation, the world is more
connected than ever. But how much has the rise of trade and the modern global economy helped or
hurt Philippine businesses, workers, and consumers?

LET’S LEVEL UP
ESSAY:
The ability of countries to rise above narrow self-interest has brought unprecedented economic wealth
and plenty of applicable scientific progress. However, for different reasons, not everyone has been
benefiting the same from globalization and technological change: wealth is unfairly distributed and
economic growth came at huge environmental costs. How can countries rise above narrow self-
interest and act together or designing fairer societies and a healthier planet? How do we make
globalization more just?
In as much as you can, list down all the advantages and disadvantages of Globalization and explain
each of them:
ADVANTAGES:
DISADVANTAGES:

LET’S DO IT!

True or False
Answer the following questions:
1. Technology has been the other principal driver of globalization.
a. True
2. The interconnectedness of these markets, however, meant that an economic collapse in one
area could impact other areas.
a. True
3. Globalization has not influenced the use of language across the world.
a. False
4. Advances in information technology, in particular, have not dramatically transformed economic
life.
a. False
5. The globalization of the job market has had negative consequences in developed countries.
a. True
6. Globalization does not increased opportunity in the Third World
a. False
7. Workers in developing countries do not have more occupational choices than ever before.
a. False
8. Economic globalization is the development of trade systems within transnational actors such
as corporations or NGOs.
a. True
9. Production workers in developing countries are not only able to compete, they have a strong
advantage over their counterparts in the industrialized world.
a. True
10. Opportunities in rich countries drives talent away from poor countries,
a. True