LIBS 131: Understanding Global Cultures

Course Description

Globalization is the predominant interpretative concept through which we analyze the state of the planet in general, and the intermingling of cultures in particular. This course proposes a comprehensive examination of cultures around the world to first-year university students. A transdisciplinary approach (history, political science, economics, geography, and anthropology) will introduce students to a wide breadth of content and depth of contextualization, and enhance their understanding of the complexities of the (post)modern world. In addition to readings on the main groups of world cultures, we will analyze several films that address the issues of cultural identity and globality. The question of stereotyping cultures will be discussed through examples of parodic representations of cultures. The course will also address the tensions between local ways of life (historical, linguistic, ethnic, and religious) and today's pressures for transnational and multiple identities, intensified by the communication of ideas and the movement of people around the world. Thus, we will also look at how the cultures of immigrant communities in southeast Michigan have contributed to the local cultural configuration.