IR115: Culture and Globalisation

Globalisation is one of the most important dynamics of contemporary social life. But how has it emerged, what does it really involve, and what are the cultural and social forces that shape it?

During this interdisciplinary course you will explore crucial questions from the unique perspective of anthropology - which gives a human-centred account of economic processes like globalisation - as well as draw on perspectives from other social sciences and humanities.

Using ethnography from Asia, Africa, USA, Latin America and Europe, you will examine globalisation from the perspective of global elites, the middle classes and the poor. By engaging with real-world scenarios you will unpack the effect of globalisation on social and cultural identities, family life, social mobility and political movements. As a result, you and your peers will debate whether leads to cultural ‘sameness’ or intensifies cultural ‘difference’; and what the future of globalisation might be.

By the end of the course you will have developed the critical thinking skills to effectively argue and analyse some of the key debates around globalisation. You will also be able to illustrate the connection between academic theory and how it translates in real-world situations, making sense of the complexities of a globalised world.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course. 

Level: 100 level. Read more information on levels in our FAQs

Fees: Please see Fees and payments

Lectures: 36 hours

Classes: 18 hours

Assessment: One examination and one essay

Typical credit: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU)

Please note: Assessment is optional but may be required for credit by your home institution. Your home institution will be able to advise how you can meet their credit requirements. For more information on exams and credit, read Teaching and assessment

This unique course is designed for students who would like to explore a more culturally and socially-embedded account of globalisation. It is especially useful for students who want to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to understanding complex global challenges. Students targeting a career in research, journalism, public policy, government or NGOs should consider taking this course. It is equally applicable to develop the skills needed for further academic studies.

• Understand how globalisation differs from older “world systems” in the scale of movement, migration and travel
• Analyse the ways in which apparently global commodities are used and creatively interpreted in different locations
• Discuss the varying impacts of global migration on the family and on senses of belonging and citizenship
• Identify ways in which globalisation has led to the emergence of new sexual identities
• Debate whether the geography of globalisation primarily involves flows from the West to the non-West
• Examine the impact of the global attention economy on corporations, communities and individuals on how we relate to one another
• Discuss the role of culture in shaping people’s responses to global climate change
• Understand how debt is used and experienced differently among different societies and cultural settings

The design of this course is guided by LSE faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.