Midterm Essay

General

Students are required to write a midterm essay. The assignment appears below; and students are encouraged to begin work on this essay the moment they begin the course, particularly since the courseĀ tardiness policies will be strictly enforced.

No outside research should be required to earn top marks on this midterm. Students who wish to conduct ancillary research must consult with me before they do so. Students are reminded to follow the specifications of the assignments closely.

Midterm Essay: Globalization in Comparative Perspective

Maximum Length: 1500 words
Recommended Minimum Length: 1250 words
Help Deadline: 10:00 PM, Wednesday, 13 January
Deadline: 10:30 PM, Thursday, 14 January

Respond to one of the following prompts in no more than 1500 words. Be sure to respond to all of the issues raised in each prompt. Draft your response according to the essay creation instructions; and submit the essay according to the submission instructions.

  • Prompt 1: Over the last century and a half, the world has seen two distinct periods of globalization. But how comparable have these movements been? What were the primary causes of the two waves of globalization? What were the defining features of the two eras of globalization? What would you characterize as the most significant effects of each era of globalization?
  • Prompt 2: By driving down the costs of long-distance travel and communication, the evolution of technology and organization creates constant pressure in favor of globalization. But the history of the last century and a half shows that globalization is neither inevitable nor irreversible. What caused the demise of the first wave of globalization? Do these same factors pose a threat to the current era of globalization? What features of the current era (if any) will mitigate these threats? What new threats (if any) does the current wave of globalization face?