Globalization Initiatives
A recent UNESCO report by Martin Carnoy states that “Two of the main bases of globalization are information and innovation, and they, in turn are highly knowledge intensive…. Today’s massive movements of capital depend on information, communication and knowledge in global markets. And because knowledge is highly portable, it lends itself easily to globalization.”
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001202/120274e.pdf
More and more, an educated person will be the globally aware person. Where does the university fit in? NMU has embarked upon a rapid development in globalization and international awareness; these efforts will only increase in the foreseeable future. Where does the department fit in? The Department of Sociology and Social Work shares in the enthusiasm for this development and is participating in a number of ways:
- Prof. Renxin Yang has created a new upper level course, “Globalization and Asian Societies.” It has been offered as SO 495, a special topics course, and the department has submitted it for approval as a regular course offering. Click here to download the proposed syllabus.
- Prof. Yang will offer SO 495 Social/Cultural Studies in China—a four-week study program in May, 2008.
- The proposed class is designed for students to engage in a field study on social environment and social change, history, art and culture of Chinese society. Our hosts will include 1) Shanghai East China University of Political Science and Law www.ecupl.edu.cn/en/introdution/intro.htm (lectures on society and social change); 2) Zhejiang University www.zju.edu.cn/english/ (lectures on Chinese culture and art: calligraphy and brush painting, and impact of Chinese philosophy and religion on art); and 3) Beijing Sports University http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_Sport_University (Tai Chi/Ji training).
- The class will visit some of the historical and cultural highlights in the cities where the hosts are located, such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Xileng Yinshe (famous for traditional Chinese art), Art Gallery of Bada Shanren (Qing Dynasty artist), Huang Qiuyuan Art Museum, Songcheng (Song Dynasty Village), Teng Wang Ge (one of the three famous ancient pavilions in South China), and China Academe of Fine Arts. More information about the class content and tentative visiting sites can be found at the following websites:
- Dr. Alex Carroll, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, has joined our faculty as a cultural anthropologist. In addition to her Native American expertise, she is a Caribbean specialist. Dr. Carroll was recently invited to visit Sias International University in Xinzheng City, Henan Province in China as an international scholar. She has been asked to speak about her research findings on Place, Performance, and Memory in the 1890s Ghost Dance. In addition, she will be using this trip as an opportunity to begin studying sacred landscapes from a cross-cultural perspective.
