The Phenomenon of Globalization & Cultural Diversity (7 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

Upon completing the course, the student• is able to analyse globalization and world events in the context of history, taking to account the risks and opportunities related to periods of transition.• obtains an overview of the evolution of the forms of social cooperation and the various ways by which it is manifested from the local level to the global.• achieves a critical understanding about the prerequisites of sustainable and inclusive globalization, considering both the collective needs of humankind and the requirements of diversity.• is capable of reflecting on and analysing broadly the challenges and opportunities presented by multiculturalism and pluralism to the functioning of the society and to the concept of citizenship.• recognizes and is able to view from different perspectives those civic and educational skills and capabilities that are needed for the realization of sustainable and inclusive globalization.• is able to solve and implement the problematics of individual rights vs. societal obligations, of freedom vs. responsibility, to problems on global level.

Execution methods

- Lectures: 24 h
- group discussions: 6 h
- independent work: 155 h.

Accomplishment methods

Active participation in the lectures and group discussions; study of the literature; writing an essay (in pairs or in small groups); writing a learning journal (individually); for those students who have completed either the course KKAS2128 or the course LKAS2105, some compensation in how to complete the tasks can be made (negotiated on a case-to-case basis).

Content

Social development and forms of cooperation as historical and evolutionary processes; reactive vs. proactive evolution and the role of education in defining the future state of society; discerning world events in the context of global transition; strengthening global solidarity in some of the key issues of humankind; consciousness of the Earth as a shared home the protecting of which is a collective concern; prerequisites for sustainable and inclusive globalization; the problematics of multiculturalism and the related pluralism; the challenge of diversity and the role of cultural sensitivity; schools as identity builders and as growing grounds for a sustainable and inclusive culture.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Fail (0): The assigment is highly incomplete or erroneous, or it includes significant misunderstandings.

Adequate (1): The assignment is very limited and shallow; it discusses topics incoherently and one-sidedly; it includes numerous errors and ambiguities.

Satisfactory (2): The assignment is limited and corresponds poorly to the given task; it discusses topics one-sidedly; it includes some errors and ambiguities.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3): The assignment corresponds mostly with the given task, and it shows understanding and a skill to analyse and give arguments; it seeks an overall picture, but it includes some flaws.

Commendable (4): The assignment corresponds with the given task, and it shows understanding and a skill to analyse and give arguments and it forms an overall picture; it include very few flaws.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5): The assignment is a coherent and comprehensive whole, which applies matters in a versatile manner or sets them in various contexts; it shows critical thinking and independent insights; the text is well written.

Qualifications

General and basic studies in education.