Module Title: Module in Contemporary World

Course Title: Contemporary World

Course Number: GE 102
Course Description: This course introduces students to the contemporary world by
examining the multifaceted phenomenon of globalization. Using the various disciplines of
the social sciences, it examines the economic, social, political, technological, and other
transformations that have created an increasing awareness of the interconnectedness of
peoples and places around the globe. To this end, the course provides an overview of the
various debates in global governance, development, and sustainability. Beyond exposing the
students to the world outside the Philippines, it seeks to inculcate a sense of global
citizenship and global ethical responsibility.

Total Learning Time: 54 Hours

Pre-requisites: None

Overview:

The course Contemporary World discusses topics on geography, history, economics and political
science which will help young generation learners approach contemporary world issues from a
geographic and historical perspective while taking into account their economic and political
dimensions. The aim of the course is to help students become interested in contemporary world
problems and issues that all societies face, develop competencies and construct knowledge,
analyze governments, economies, peoples, cultures from around the world, and concerns and be
able to compare their own point of view with that of others, thus increasing their critical
judgment.

Learning Outcomes:

The purpose of the study of the contemporary world is to help the young generation learners to
become interested and involved in the contemporary world problems and issues that all citizens
are facing. By studying the problems and issues and the way in which these relationships shape
the organization of the world today, increases their level of awareness that will lead them to have
their own viewpoint and perspective that increases their critical judgment, and for them to
become more mindful of their environment and the community they belong to and to become
participative actors in the roles they must play as responsible citizens.

At the end of the course the students should be able to:

A. Competencies
1. Distinguish different interpretations of and approaches to globalization
2. Describe the emergence of global economic, political, social and cultural systems
3. Analyze the various contemporary drivers of globalization
4. Understand the issues confronting the nation
5. Assess the effects of globalization on different social units and their responses
B. Skills
1. Analyze contemporary news events in the context of globalization
2. Analyze global issues in relation to Filipinos and the Philippines
3. Write a research paper with proper citations on a topic related to globalization

Indicative Content:
Chapter 1. Globalization
Chapter 2: The Global Economy
Chapter 3: Market Integration
Chapter 4: Interstate System

Page 1 of CBT/ MCD’s Module in Contemporary World- CapSU Main

 Chapter 5: Global Governance
Chapter 6: Global Divides
Chapter 7: Asian Regionalism
Chapter 8: Intercontinental Drift: Culture, Media and Globalization
Chapter 9: The Globalization of Religion
Chapter 10: The Global City
Chapter 11: Global Demography
Chapter 12: Global Migration
Chapter 13: Sustainable Development
Chapter 14: Global Food Security
Chapter 15: Global Citizenship

Midterm Coverage: Lessons 1-7

Final Coverage: Lesson 8-15

Introduction:

This module examines the natures of globalization.

Discussion: Chapter 1: Globalization

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

 Define globalization
 Differentiate the competing conceptions of globalization
 Identify underlying philosophies of the varying definitions of globalization.

What is Globalization?
In the advent of technologies, we see the growth on transports and communications. This
means, people and countries can exchange information and goods in an easy way, this process is
called “Globalization”. Globalization is a term used to describe the changes in societies and the
world economy that are the result of dramatically increased trade and cultural exchange. In
specifically economic contexts, it refers almost exclusively to the effects of trade, particularly
trade liberalization or “free trade”.
Globalization represents the global integration of international trade, investment,
information, technology and cultures. Government policies designed to open economies
domestically and internationally to boost development in poorer countries and raise standards of
living for their people are what drive globalization.
In our World history, they introduce around centuries the idea of concept of globalization;
traders explore to buy rare commodities such as salt, spices and gold, which they would then sell
in their home countries. The !9th century Industrial Revolution brought advances in
communication and transportation that have removed borders and increased cross- border trade.
The Silk Road, when trade spread rapidly between China and Europe via an overland route.
World Health Organization defines Globalization, “ the increased interconnectedness and
interdependence of peoples and countries, is generally understood to include two interrelated
elements: the opening of international borders to increasingly fast flows of goods, services,
finance, people, and ideas: and the changes in institutions and policies at national and

Page 2 of CBT/ MCD’s Module in Contemporary World- CapSU Main

international levels that facilitate or promote such flows. Globalization has the potential for both
positive and negative effects on development and health.”
Thomas Friedman defines globalization as, “the inexorable integration of markets,
transportation systems, and communication systems to a degree never witnessed before- in a way
that is enabling corporations, countries, and individuals to reach around the world farther, faster,
deeper, and cheaper than ever before.” Also,
Manfred Steger provided scholarly description in his Globalization: A Very Short
Introduction, the term globalization should be used to refer to a set of social processes that are
thought to transform our present social condition into one of globality. “
In simple economic concept, the flow of products and services with few barriers in the
integration of market, investment and trade between nation. At some point, culture is also
assimilated and trade as they exchange of ideas and traditions by trading. The spread of Korean
pop culture across will advance the exchange of ideas, art, language and music like other
millennials experiencing nowadays are some of the best example. Globalization across the
boarders makes people and goods to move easily in the different nations.
Globalization is an event occurred in unprecedented pace and gives definition to the world’s
market. It is still a public debate whether it is beneficial nor detrimental most especially to the
average citizens. It may direct or indirectly affect everyone, but not everyone gets the same
benefits. The more stretches and intensified, the more backlashes produce to those people who
cannot keep on the same. Standards of living have risen overall as more third world countries
experience industrialization. Other proponents believe that globalization is the way to catch up
for developing countries because it allows them to cooperate with other nation like never before.
The presence of multinational company will of great contribution especially to local economies as
they invest in local products, resources, services, medical, and educational facilities.
Globalization brought many benefits to other people but to others, it is not to everyone. It
shows that, in fact, in all but a couple of countries polled, people believe life was better in the old
days. If the other country produces cheaper product, other producers will be closed down and
leads to lost of thousand jobs to others. Every step forward especially in technology it also brings
a new danger. Example, technology improves the lives of many people, but it also increases the
number of crimes every year.
Globalization has contributed to global warming, climate change and the overuse of natural
resources. An increase in the demand for goods has boosted manufacturing and industrialization.
Globalization has also increases homogenization in countries. Some politicians argue that
globalization is detrimental to the middle class, and is causing increasing economic and political
polarization to developed countries. For example, outsourcing facilities in lower cost that lead
workers to compete internationally for jobs. Also, international chain from developed country
dominate the cultural exchange because their goods and culture influenced other countries more
than those of any other nation. Good or bad, though, there isn’t much argument as to whether or
not it is happening. Let’s look at the positives and negatives of globalization, and you can decide
for yourself whether or not it is the best thing for our world.
Natures of Globalization
1. Liberalization- is the freedom of the entrepreneurs to establish any industry or trade or
business venture, within their own countries or abroad.
2. Free trade- the free flow of trade relations among all the nations. Each state grants MFN
(most favored nation) status to other states and keeps its business and trade away from
excessive and hard regulatory and protective regimes.
3. Globalization of Economic Activity- Economic activities are to be governed both by the
domestic market and also the world market. It stands for the process of integrating the
domestic economy with world economies.
4. Liberalization of Import-Export System- it stands for liberating the import-export
activity and securing a free flow of goods and services across borders.

Page 3 of CBT/ MCD’s Module in Contemporary World- CapSU Main

 5. Privatization- keeping the state away from ownership of means of production and
distribution and letting the free flow of industrial, trade, and economic activity across
borders.
6. Increased Collaborations- Encouraging the process of collaborations among the
entrepreneurs with a view to secure rapid modernization, development and technological
advancement.
7. Economic Reforms- Encouraging fiscal and financial reforms with a view to give
strength to free world trade, free enterprise, and market forces.
Globalization accepts and advocates the value of free world trade, freedom of access to
world markets and a free flow of investments across borders. It stands for integration and
democratization of the world’s culture, economy and infrastructure through global
investments.
GLOBALIZATION can mean:
The formation of a Global Village-closer contact between different part of the world, with
increasing possibilities of personal exchange, mutual understanding and friendship between
“world citizens”.
Economic globalization -
Additional Reading:
1. Sub topics: Globalization: A Working Definition and Globalization from the Ground
Up – the Contemporary World by L. Claudio and P. Abinales, pp. 3-10
Process Questions:
1. What is the difference between globalization and globalism?
2. How have you experienced globalization?
3. What do you think is the importance of defining globalization?
Exercises/ Drills:
The students will synthesize and create a personal definition of the concept.
Activity: Submission of news report summaries from local/ international newspaper op-eds
(opinions/ commentaries that discuss globalization.

Page 4 of CBT/ MCD’s Module in Contemporary World- CapSU Main

 GE 102 – The Contemporary World

Name:__________________________________ Course/Year/ Section:__________________

Work Sheet # 1 – Globalization

Test 1. True or False. Write true if the statement is correct, and false if it is not.
1. World Health Organization define globalization, “the increased interconnectedness and
interdependence of peoples and countries.
2. Thomas Friedman defined globalization as, “as the inexorable integration of markets,
transportation systems, communication systems to a degree never witnessed before.”
3. Exchange information and goods in an easy way, this process is called globalization.
4. Globalization is an event occurred in unprecedented pace and gives definition to the
world’s market.
5. Globalization has contributed to global warming, climate change and the overuse of
natural resources.
6. Some politicians argue that globalization is detrimental to the middle class, and is
causing increasing economic and political polarization to developed countries.
7. United Nations defines Economic globalization as” increasing interdependence of world
economies as a result of the growing scale of cross-border trade of commodities and
services, flow of international capital and wide and rapid spread of technologies.
8. In economic globalization, companies seek the greatest possibility of efficient and
maximized profits that will involve many regions and localities to “global production.”
9. The rapid growing significance of information in all types of productive activities and
marketization are the two major driving forces for economic globalization. “
10. The United Nation, founded s the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944, is the official
organization for securing international monetary cooperation.

Test II. Using the Venn Diagram, give the advantages and disadvantages of globalization.

Page 5 of CBT/ MCD’s Module in Contemporary World- CapSU Main