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Academic Year 2005/2006

The Sociology of the Capitalist World-System
SOC 264 FA

This course is an introduction to competing theories of the capitalist world-system. Its basic premise is that the world we live in today is a capitalist world-system and that it originated in western Europe circa 1600. The course will focus on theories of the causes of its emergence in western Europe; the characteristics of the global division of labor between core, semi-peripheral, and peripheral nation-states; the role of the state; nationalism and racism in the global division of labor, and the contradictory tendencies of this world system.

MAJOR READINGS

Selected readings from Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Max Weber, Immanuel Wallerstein, David Landes, Kenneth Pomeranz, Karl Polanyi, Edward Said, Ernest Gellner, Kenan Malik, and others.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three take-home essays (6-8 pages each).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students who have not taken SOC151 may contact the instructor for an override.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS SOC    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: SOC151 OR SOC152 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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