Students

ANTH321 – Globalisation, Religion and Conflict

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Gabriele Marranci
Contact via gabriele.marranci@mq.edu.au
+61-2-9850-8040
TBA on iLearn
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(39cp at 100 level or above) or admission to GDipArts
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Mass communications, technological advances such as the cyberspace are powerful forces for cultural change in the contemporary world. For anthropology the globalisation thesis raises important questions about culture, religion and also how violence and its control has changed in a global world. How are we to understand cultures, religious movements and ideologies, previously understood as bounded entities, in a globalising world? How might we theorise the relationship between local and global events, such as conflicts, terrorism and violence? Some commentators argue that globalisation is nothing more than the spread of the West; that it is Americanisation or McDonalisation. Others argue that culture does not move only from the 'West to the rest' but flows freely and in multiple directions. History shows us that culture has always been dynamic and changing yet there are certain features that characterise the 'modern', 'late modern' or 'post-modern' world in which we live. In this unit we will draw on a variety of phenomenon such cultures, religion and violent local conflicts that turns global to examine critically some of the issues which are raised by the globalisation thesis. We will look at the 'speeding-up' of the world in terms of our experience of time and space. And we will consider the possibility of alternative or parallel modernities.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Develop a critical analysis and capacity to debate complex social political issues
  • Explore the role of social settings and norms in shaping culture and politics in a globalised context through comparative research
  • Actively participate in discussion and debates about a range of topics related to the anthropology of religion and globalisation
  • Gain a greater understanding of diverse techniques for investigating from an anthropological viewpoint the complex dynamics which affect religious conflicts and violence within global contexts
  • Investigate in greater depth one area of special interest in the study of globalisation and religion, in particular as far as extremism and fundamentalism are concerned
  • Improve presentation and oral expression skills through tutorial discussions of critical issues concerning globalisation, religion and conflict
  • Improve writing and critical reading skills through online questions

General Assessment Information

Late Submission Faculty Policy 

 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will be applied - two (2) marks out of 100 will be deduced per day for assignments after the due date and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submission will be accepted for timed assessments-- eg. quizzes, online tests.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Tutorial activities 20% Yes Continuous
Quiz 25% No Week 6
Journal Article Crtique 30% Yes week 10
Final In-Class Quiz 25% No Week 13

Tutorial activities

Due: Continuous
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Attendance at tutorials is compulsory; If students miss more than 3 tutorials and related activities, they will be prevented from passing this course. So it is essential that they familiarise  with the Special Consideration process in case they have a justified reason to miss a tutorial (see also information on iLearn)

Students can receive 2 points for each tutorial only if they complete all the required tasks (NOTE: first tutorial and last tutorial are not marked but must be attended )

1) Before each tutorial, the students must answer The Readings Quiz, which will be available on iLearn two days before the tutorial. The Answers should be electronically submitted on iLearn. The Quiz can be repeated until all the questions have been answered correctly. For this task, students receive 1 point mark IF they also attend the tutorial and its activities. 

2)  Students attend the tutorial and the activities of their assigned group in class 

3) Students, if so required, take part in the discussion on Kialo.com platform which will be used in class. 

For activities 2 and 3 students will receive another 1  point mark IF they have completed the Quiz before the tutorial 

Note: According to the new Faculty Submission Penalty policy No late submission will be accepted for timed assessments (like quizzes). Quizzes will not be repeated for technical issues if they are not taken on campus since students should make sure that they have a working Internet connection before starting. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop a critical analysis and capacity to debate complex social political issues
  • Actively participate in discussion and debates about a range of topics related to the anthropology of religion and globalisation
  • Gain a greater understanding of diverse techniques for investigating from an anthropological viewpoint the complex dynamics which affect religious conflicts and violence within global contexts
  • Investigate in greater depth one area of special interest in the study of globalisation and religion, in particular as far as extremism and fundamentalism are concerned
  • Improve presentation and oral expression skills through tutorial discussions of critical issues concerning globalisation, religion and conflict

Quiz

Due: Week 6
Weighting: 25%

iLearn  Quiz about readings and lectures (25 multiple choices and true and false questions)  Information and instructions are available on iLearn in the Assessment Section. 

 

Note: According to the new Faculty Submission Penalty policy No late submission will be accepted for timed assessments (like point quizzes). Quizzes will not be repeated for technical issues if are not taken on campus since students should make sure that they have a working Internet connection before starting. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explore the role of social settings and norms in shaping culture and politics in a globalised context through comparative research
  • Gain a greater understanding of diverse techniques for investigating from an anthropological viewpoint the complex dynamics which affect religious conflicts and violence within global contexts
  • Improve writing and critical reading skills through online questions

Journal Article Crtique

Due: week 10
Weighting: 30%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Students are required to write a 2000 word essay starting with a reflection based on two readings provided during the course. The essay should be submitted on Turnitin. Further information about style and format as well as examples of previous works and suggestions to help you to write the essay will be provided on iLearn in due course. 

IMPORTANT:  You must submit your essay on time (within the allowance of the submission policy) to be allowed to take the Final in Class Quiz due in Week 13. 

Since this is a level 3 course, plagiarism will absolutely not be tolerated or excused and it will be dealt with according to the University Policy.

Faculty Policy on Late Submission Penalty 

(Note that I cannot do anything about this: it is strictly enforced, so insisting for more time, asking for no-penalities or rude emails to the tutors will not change the outcome!) 

"Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will be applied - two (2) marks out of 100 will be deduced per day for assignments after the due date and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submission will be accepted for timed assessments-- eg. quizzes, online tests." 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop a critical analysis and capacity to debate complex social political issues
  • Explore the role of social settings and norms in shaping culture and politics in a globalised context through comparative research
  • Actively participate in discussion and debates about a range of topics related to the anthropology of religion and globalisation
  • Gain a greater understanding of diverse techniques for investigating from an anthropological viewpoint the complex dynamics which affect religious conflicts and violence within global contexts
  • Investigate in greater depth one area of special interest in the study of globalisation and religion, in particular as far as extremism and fundamentalism are concerned
  • Improve presentation and oral expression skills through tutorial discussions of critical issues concerning globalisation, religion and conflict

Final In-Class Quiz

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 25%

Students are required to sit an in-class Final Quiz. Students are required to attend their lecture on week 13 and bring with them their laptops or iPads (no iPhone allowed).  They will find on iLearn a link to take the quiz which is so structured 

25 multiple choices and true and false questions to be completed in class within 40 mins 

More information will be provided on iLearn in due course. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Gain a greater understanding of diverse techniques for investigating from an anthropological viewpoint the complex dynamics which affect religious conflicts and violence within global contexts

Delivery and Resources

Lectures and Tutorials; Lectures are recorded in Echo system and iLearn is essential for the assessment  and learning processes 

Unit Schedule

Week 1: Thinking about Globalisation, Conflict and Religion 

No tutorials 

Shani, G. (2003). The liberal project: globalization, modernity and identity. Ritsumeikan Annual Review of International Studies, 2, 37-57.

Joseph A. Camilleri (2011) ‘religion: part of the problem or part of the solution? in Anceschi, L., Camilleri, J. A., & Palapathwala, R. (2011). Religion and Ethics in a Globalizing World: Conflict, Dialogue, and Transformation. Palgrave Macmillan., pp 1-22 

 

Week 2  From Modernization to Globalization

Inda, J. X. and Rosaldo, R. 2008 ‘Introduction: A world in motion’ in J. X. Inda and R. Rosaldo (eds), The Anthropology of Globalization a reader, Second ed., Blackwell Publisers. pp 3-46

Mittelman, J. H. (2000). ‘The Dynamics of Globalization’ in  The globalization syndrome: transformation and resistance. Princeton University Press. pp 15-30 

Further recommended readings for this topic

Neal, A. G. 2007 ‘Introduction and Orientation ‘ in A. G. Neal Sociological perspectives on modernity : multiple models and competing realities, New York : Lang, pp 4-32

 

Week 3 Globalization, Glocalization

 

Kearney, M. 1995 The local and the global: Anthropology of globalization and transnationalism. Annual Review of Anthropology, 24, pp. 547-565.

Robertson. R. 2003 ’The conceptual promise of Glocalization: commonality and diversity’ in Proceedings of the International Forum on Cultural Diversity and CommonValues. Seoul, pp.1-6.

 

Week 4 Resistance to Globalization 

Mittelman, J. H. (2000). ‘Conceptualizaing Resistance to Globalizaiton’ in The globalization syndrome: transformation and resistance. Princeton University Press. pp 15-30 

 

Week 5 Globalization and Religion

Kale, Sudhir. 2004. "Spirituality, Religion, and Globalization". Journal of Macromarketing. 24 (2): 92-107.

Casanova, José. 2001. "Religion, the New Millennium, and Globalization". Sociology of Religion. 62 (4): 415-441.

 

Week 6 Fundamentalism: A Global Phenomenon

Emerson, M. O., & Hartman, D. (2006). The rise of religious fundamentalism. Annual Review of Sociology, 127-144.

Marranci, G. (2009). “Reading Islamic Fundamentalism: Theories, Theorems and Kernels of Truth” in Understanding Muslim identity: rethinking fundamentalism, London Palgrave, pp 51-78 

Week  7: Review and Discussion about the first part of the course 

Material for discussion on iLearn

Week 8 The Middle East Conflict and its Global impact: The case of Indonesia 

Bubalo, A., & Fealy, G. (2005). Between the Global and the Local: Islamism, the Middle East, and Indonesia. Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. pp

Salzman, M. B. (2008). Globalization, religious fundamentalism and the need for meaning. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 32(4), 318-327.

Week 9 From Al-Qaeda to ISIS: Globalisation of religious conflict? 

Juergensmeyer, M. (2003). “Theater of terror”  Terror in the mind of God: The global rise of religious violence (Vol. 13). University of California Pp 122-135 

Ogbonnaya, U. M. (2013). Globalization, Religious Extremism and Security Challenges in the Twenty–First Century. Journal of Sustainable Society, 2(2), 59-65.

Week 10 Globalization and Clash of Civilization of Civilizers? 

Casanova, J. (2011). Cosmopolitanism, the clash of civilizations and multiple modernities. Current Sociology, 59(2), 252-267. Chicago

Marranci, G. (2015) Wars of Terror Chapter 3 Chapter 3: Labels, Stigmas and Ethos  Bloomsbury Publishing.

Week 11 Discussion: What Anthropologists Can Do? 

 

Appadurai, A. 2001 “Globalization, Anthropology of,” in International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, edited by Neil J. Smelser and Paul Bew York: Elsevier Science. pp 6266-6271

Appadurai, A. (June 01, 1997). Discussion: Fieldwork in the Era of Globalization. Anthropology Humanism 22 (1) pp. 115-118.

Further recommended readings for this topic:

Phipps, P. (2009), 'Globalization, indigeneity and performing culture', Local-Global: Identity, Security, Community, 6: 2009, pp. 28–48.

 

Week 12: General Discussion, Review and Summary and Preparetion forin-classs Final Quiz 

Week 13: 

In-Class Final Quiz 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a critical analysis and capacity to debate complex social political issues
  • Explore the role of social settings and norms in shaping culture and politics in a globalised context through comparative research
  • Actively participate in discussion and debates about a range of topics related to the anthropology of religion and globalisation

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial activities
  • Journal Article Crtique

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a critical analysis and capacity to debate complex social political issues
  • Explore the role of social settings and norms in shaping culture and politics in a globalised context through comparative research
  • Actively participate in discussion and debates about a range of topics related to the anthropology of religion and globalisation
  • Gain a greater understanding of diverse techniques for investigating from an anthropological viewpoint the complex dynamics which affect religious conflicts and violence within global contexts
  • Investigate in greater depth one area of special interest in the study of globalisation and religion, in particular as far as extremism and fundamentalism are concerned
  • Improve presentation and oral expression skills through tutorial discussions of critical issues concerning globalisation, religion and conflict

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial activities
  • Quiz
  • Journal Article Crtique
  • Final In-Class Quiz

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz
  • Journal Article Crtique
  • Final In-Class Quiz

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a critical analysis and capacity to debate complex social political issues
  • Explore the role of social settings and norms in shaping culture and politics in a globalised context through comparative research
  • Actively participate in discussion and debates about a range of topics related to the anthropology of religion and globalisation
  • Gain a greater understanding of diverse techniques for investigating from an anthropological viewpoint the complex dynamics which affect religious conflicts and violence within global contexts
  • Investigate in greater depth one area of special interest in the study of globalisation and religion, in particular as far as extremism and fundamentalism are concerned
  • Improve presentation and oral expression skills through tutorial discussions of critical issues concerning globalisation, religion and conflict
  • Improve writing and critical reading skills through online questions

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial activities
  • Quiz
  • Journal Article Crtique
  • Final In-Class Quiz

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a critical analysis and capacity to debate complex social political issues
  • Explore the role of social settings and norms in shaping culture and politics in a globalised context through comparative research
  • Actively participate in discussion and debates about a range of topics related to the anthropology of religion and globalisation
  • Gain a greater understanding of diverse techniques for investigating from an anthropological viewpoint the complex dynamics which affect religious conflicts and violence within global contexts
  • Investigate in greater depth one area of special interest in the study of globalisation and religion, in particular as far as extremism and fundamentalism are concerned
  • Improve presentation and oral expression skills through tutorial discussions of critical issues concerning globalisation, religion and conflict
  • Improve writing and critical reading skills through online questions

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial activities
  • Journal Article Crtique

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a critical analysis and capacity to debate complex social political issues
  • Explore the role of social settings and norms in shaping culture and politics in a globalised context through comparative research
  • Investigate in greater depth one area of special interest in the study of globalisation and religion, in particular as far as extremism and fundamentalism are concerned

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial activities
  • Journal Article Crtique

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a critical analysis and capacity to debate complex social political issues
  • Actively participate in discussion and debates about a range of topics related to the anthropology of religion and globalisation
  • Gain a greater understanding of diverse techniques for investigating from an anthropological viewpoint the complex dynamics which affect religious conflicts and violence within global contexts
  • Investigate in greater depth one area of special interest in the study of globalisation and religion, in particular as far as extremism and fundamentalism are concerned
  • Improve presentation and oral expression skills through tutorial discussions of critical issues concerning globalisation, religion and conflict
  • Improve writing and critical reading skills through online questions

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial activities
  • Journal Article Crtique

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explore the role of social settings and norms in shaping culture and politics in a globalised context through comparative research
  • Actively participate in discussion and debates about a range of topics related to the anthropology of religion and globalisation
  • Investigate in greater depth one area of special interest in the study of globalisation and religion, in particular as far as extremism and fundamentalism are concerned

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial activities
  • Final In-Class Quiz

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment task

  • Tutorial activities