Living in a globalised world
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| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
It is commonplace now to say that the world has gone global. Whenever we buy food and clothes, listen to music, or watch the news, we can see how different parts of the world, often thousands of miles apart, are connected together. And with these multiple and various connections comes a sense of the world as being a complex and exciting place. This course will help you to understand that complexity, giving you some key geographical concepts which help to make sense of the processes and patterns shaping our globalised world.
Course content
This innovative geography-led course will give you an understanding of some of the challenges of globalised living. Everyday living in today’s globalised world can feel challenging, even confusing at times, with distance no longer a reliable indicator of our involvements in the world. Some of your closest relationships may be stretched across continents, and held together with letters, phone calls or email; yet you may pass people in the street every day without giving them a second glance. Global political concerns are becoming more extensive but also more controversial. On the one hand, charities and other organisations are as likely to be campaigning for the rights and welfare of people on another continent as they are for people from your local area. On the other hand, wars are waged to rid people of 'outsiders'.
Whether we are aware of it or not, we’re all involved in these complex, global situations, where the ‘right’ course of action isn't always clear. These debates are hotly contested in the media and in everyday life. How should we react to calls to build global relationships with people living far from us? Do we also have responsibilities to other living creatures that share the planet, and to the world itself, with all its potential resources and dangers?
Divided into four blocks, Block 1 begins by looking at a place where various kinds of global relations come together, but also where they are forcibly challenged: the border between Mexico and the United States. The course uses a DVD to enable you to see and hear the everyday experiences that make up this globalised place, from would-be migrants to border guards, from factory workers to factory bosses, from environmental activists to humanitarian workers. You’ll also see and hear how the natural environment is intervening in these experiences, using, as examples, the conflict over access to scarce water resources, and the commercialisation of Mexico’s bio-diversity by US corporations. The DVD is supported by a printed Course Guide and Learning Companion to help you learn effectively.
Block 2 of the course uses print and audio materials to explore the growing demands living in a globalised world makes on us. The block argues that these demands, and how we respond, are reshaping the world and its geography. Some of these demands are overtly political, made by campaigning organisations. One example of this is the demand that affluent consumers take some responsibility for the exploitation of the workers who make the goods they buy, often living in poorer countries. But other demands are encouraged by certain kinds of technology: the internet's request for chat and intimacy, for example. Further kinds of demands are made by nation-states, or by migrants. What these demands have in common is that they are about getting us to define ‘closeness’ and ‘distance’. Physical distance can be overcome by telephone calls and emails; but what kinds of virtual closeness appear in its place? Many campaigning groups assume that the development of common causes will bring people from different parts of the world closer together. TV news offers us other kinds of global proximities, by bringing events from around the world into our living rooms. Most of your work in Block 2 will be topic-led; topics range from the impacts of the global media and international migration, to issues posed by international humanitarian disasters and factory ‘sweatshops’ in far-away places.
Through print and audio materials, Block 3 takes a closer look at some of the uncertainties of living in a globalised world. Just why are so many demands being made on us now? And why is responding to those demands so often difficult? One reason for these current uncertainties is that we are not acting alone in making the world we see around us today. As well as the complexities of politics and technologies, this block examines the unpredictable natural environment. Concerns about climate change and biodiversity are reminders that humans are not the only actors on the planet, and that our actions are entangled with processes found in nature. The block also argues that globalisation is not simply about the many flows that circulate the globe: goods, money, people and cultural influences, as well as non-human flows like ocean currents and winds. The block is also about the continuing importance of territories and borders to the world’s development. Indeed, our attempts to open up the world can also create the need to build protective boundaries to mark out areas of privacy. Again, your work in this block will be topic-led. Areas covered include climate change, tax havens, biodiversity and the search for new medicines, the growth of new social movements, and issues surrounding ethical food consumption.
The fourth and final block summarises the course by asking you to return to the case study explored in Block 1: the Mexico-United States border. Using a DVD, you'll look with fresh eyes at this case study and see how the concepts of proximity, distance, territory and flow, help you to make sense of this place and its particular character. You'll also be asked to consider how these ideas can be used to shed light on the responsibilities associated with living in a globalised world.
This is a Level 2 course and is an ideal step on from Level 1 study. You will learn or consolidate a variety of study skills on this course. In particular, you’ll learn how to assess the evidence used to support different arguments, and how to apply the course's geographical concepts to a wide range of examples, including examples from outside the course.
Vocational relevance
The course gives a general introduction to geographical and environmental issues and will support training towards a range of vocational interests and careers. The appeal of geography stems from its broadly based and multidisciplinary flavour; it is highly regarded as part of a general preparation for more specifically vocational courses or job training. Traditionally, geography has been seen as useful to careers in planning, local government, architecture, surveying, environmental management and teaching, but you should also consider it if you are thinking about jobs in business, transport and communications, health care or politics. Geography teachers and those working in environment-related activities should find the course adds significant value to their work and careers, as will those working for a range of international organisations, either social, economic or political.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course, and you will find it helpful to have the kind of social science skills in reading, analysis and writing essays that are developed in our Level 1 course Introducing the social sciences (DD101) (or the predecessor course DD100). You should be able to manage your study time effectively and plan structured essays. Your regional or national centre will be able to tell you where you can see reference copies of DD205 and sample extracts are available on the course taster website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
DD205 is a compulsory course in our
It is an optional course in our
- BA/BSc (Honours) Social Sciences (B06)
- BA/BSc (Honours) International Studies (B11)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Environmental Studies (B19)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences (E50)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Students with visual impairment need to be aware that this is a strongly visual course, reflected particularly in the substantial use of DVD-video, photographs and maps. The books are available in a comb-bound format. Transcripts of DVD-video materials are available, as are very brief descriptions of key visual material. The course materials are available on CD-ROM in ‘ReadOut’ format with navigational facilities. Visually impaired students may have difficulties doing analytical work associated with these visual resources and it would not be in contravention of the learning outcomes to ask a sighted helper to describe these visual resources to you. Students with visual impairment are advised to consider their requirements carefully and seek advice from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, DVDs and audio CDs.
You will need
A DVD player and the ability to listen to audio CDs.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Substitution can apply for one TMA. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2010. We expect it to be available once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Social Sciences.
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Student Reviews
This was an excellent and interesting course, which I still refer to today when discussing issues about globalisation, free trade, ...
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The best course I have studied so far. After a study break of four years I found this course eased ...
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