Overview
What is globalization? How old are the processes of globalization? How do global interactions and institutions affect our lives? How do I navigate the “post-truth era” and the spread of misinformation? This course will help you find some answers to such questions.
GLST 205 begins with a broad overview of the discipline of Global Studies and an introduction to some of the analytical tools for understanding global issues. It then examines historical and contemporary institutions and structures from traditional and alternative perspectives—such as feminist, Indigenous, and environmental—to understand the causes and consequences of globalization. Finally, the course considers significant global contemporary issues and patterns, and wraps up with a critical retrospective on the state of our world, as the crisis of rising inequality and climate change is laid bare in the wake of emergent infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
Due to its inclusive disciplinary approach outlined above, this course is an ideal complement to majors in the arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, and other disciplines. Bearing this in mind, GLST 205 is primarily intended for: 1) students who want to do advanced research in globalization and need an overview of the building blocks of the field; and 2) professionals and practitioners in any field who want to supplement their skills with the basics of a global approach.
Evaluation
To receive credit for GLST 205, you must achieve a minimum grade of D (50 percent) on the final examination, and an overall grade of D (50 percent) for the entire course. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 20% |
| Assignment 2 | 20% |
| Assignment 3 | 30% |
| Final Examination | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
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Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
All course materials are available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the GLST 205 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least C- (60 percent) on the examination.
Challenge for credit course registration form