Globalisation, Justice and a Crowded Planet (UoA)

Globalisation is a fundamentally geographical concept as it influences the way we think about human interactions across time and space. But the nature, extent and impacts of globalisation continue to be widely debated. Students are introduced to the political, economic, and cultural processes of globalisation and the nature of local-global relations. The course explores population growth and migratory shifts, considering their role of demographic change in the broader processes of globalisation. Drawing on local and international case studies, we will study how globalisation impacts sports, culture, migration, the economy, politics, and the environment. In this course, students will examine how music icons like Taylor Swift help us understand globalisation's multifaceted impact on our lives, and how international events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics illustrate globalisation's reach across various dimensions. By studying these phenomena and others, we will analyse how they transcend borders and manifest in different ways. In particular, the course investigates whether and how processes of globalisation operate to create, maintain and deepen inequality, poverty and injustice amongst individuals, groups, regions and nations.