Are contemporary processes of globalisation eroding the national distinctiveness of capitalist economies and their social institutions? Do national cultures still matter? Contemporary economic, social and political changes have highlighted the inadequacies of the late twentieth century threefold classification of the countries of the globe into three worlds of industrial capitalist, state socialist and underdeveloped societies.
This course examines the theories, methods and purposes by which comparative sociologists have explored economic systems, national cultures, norms and social institutions to gauge the causes, character and consequences of globalisation, particularly (but not exclusively) in North America, Europe and East Asia. Course topics include: classifications of societies and the dynamics of social change; the 'varieties of capitalism' debate; patterns of international migration; the forms, functions and social divisions of global cities; comparing social inequality; comparing welfare states; mapping national cultures; management and the organisation of international production; consumption and global products.
Period
23-07-2012 - 17-08-2012 (4 weeks)
Target group
The University of Sussex International Summer School welcomes applicants from a wide range of educational backgrounds. Although most of you will be currently enrolled at a university or college, we also welcome applicants who have been away from education for some years, as well as highly committed senior high school students - for some courses a good general education, an open mind and lots of enthusiasm are the main qualifications. For some other courses you will see that prerequisites are listed - applicants for these courses are expected to submit transcripts to demonstrate that they have taken, or are currently taking, the necessary precursors.
Course aim
This is a great opportunity for secondary school students to prepare for college and acquire college credit, which you will usually be able to transfer to a future undergraduate degree. The International Summer School provides an opportunity to meet and study with people from different countries and cultures, on a cosmopolitan campus. The large range of courses on offer allows you to get ahead with credit in core courses, or simply to experiment with something new.
Credits
7.5 ECTS credits
Summer School courses carry 15 credits and last for four weeks. Since the standard annual load for a Sussex student is 120 credits, this means that each course is equivalent to four semester hours or seven and a half ECTS credits.
Students can take only one course per session, as the courses are intensive. You can expect to spend 25 to 35 hours each week on your course between attending classes, labs and workshops, as well as time spent outside class preparing the readings and assignments. You can find information about the courses offered by the International Summer School through our course directory or courses by subject pages of our website.
Course fee
GBP 1325: Tuition only (one four week session)
GBP 2450: Tuition only (both four week ISS sessions)
Course leader
Kevin McCormick
Scholarships
The University of Sussex offers a limited number of scholarships for participation in the ISS in the form of partial fee waivers to students from developing countries who have high potential for future leadership in their field of study or career.
University of Sussex
Address: University of Sussex Brighton
Postal code: BN1 9RF
City: Brighton
Country: United Kingdom
Website: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/iss/
E-mail: issoffice@sussex.ac.uk
Phone: 00441273678406
The Comparative Sociology of Capitalism
