The Contemporary World

Syllabus
Vision : A leading Higher Education Institution that prepares
visionary and ethical leaders who shall create a positive
impact to society.

Mission : Universidad de Manila is committed to provide equal

opportunities by developing the learner’s knowledge,
skills, and values, through quality education and dynamic
technology-driven systems, in a diverse yet inclusive
environments for learning, research and community
engagement.

Course Title : The Contemporary World

Course Code : GE CS 03

Course Description : The course on the Contemporary World provides an

explanation of recent world events. Students investigate
the broad and complex issue of globalization in order to
learn about and comprehend the current world. A
comprehensive strategy that combines economic, social,
political, historical, geographical, and technological
aspects, as well as other shifts that have enhanced global
awareness of interconnection, is being taken to address
these challenges as the primary focus of attention.

The goal of the course is to promote ethical responsibility

and global citizenship through studying topics such as
global governance, development, and sustainability.
Students should be able to recognize, explain, and
critically evaluate global issues at the end of the semester.
Additionally, they should have developed a position that
is factually sound and considered options for social
action.

Course Credit : 3 Units

Time Duration : 1.5 hours per session for 18 weeks
Placement : Second Year, First Semester
Pre-requisites : None

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General Education Outcomes (CMO No. 20, s. 2013)

Intellectual Competencies
• Higher level of comprehension (textual, visual, etc.)
• Proficient and effective communication (writing, speaking and use of new technologies)
• Understanding of basic concepts across the domains of knowledge
• Critical, analytical and creative
• Application of different analytical modes (quantitative and qualitative, artistic and scientific, textual
and visual, experimental, observation, etc.) in tackling problems methodically

Personal and Civic Competencies

• Appreciation of human condition

• Capacity to personally interpret the human experience
• Ability to view the contemporary world from both Philippine and global perspectives
• Self-assuredness in knowing and being a Filipino
• Capacity to reflect critically on shared concerns and think of innovative, creative solutions guided
by ethical standards
• Ability to reflect on moral norms/imperatives as they affect individuals and society
• Ability to appreciate and contribute to artistic beauty
• Understanding and respect to human rights
• Ability to contribute personally and meaningfully to the country’s development

Practical Responsibilities
• Working effectively in a group
• Application of computing and using information technology to assist and facilitate research
• Ability to negotiate the world of technology responsibly
• Problem-solving skills (including real-world problems)
• Basic world-related skills and knowledge

General Education Learning Outcomes

Knowledge (Intellectual Competencies)

• Analyze “texts” (written, visual, oral, etc.) critically
• Demonstrate proficient and effective communication (writing, speaking, and use of new
technologies)
• Use basic concepts across the domains of knowledge
• Demonstrate critical, analytical, and creative thinking
• Apply different analytical models in problem solving

Values (Personal and Civic Responsibilities)

• Appreciate the complexity of the human condition
• Interpret the human experience from various perspectives
• Examine the contemporary world from both Philippine and global perspectives
• Take responsibility for knowing and being Filipino
• Reflect critically on shared concerns
• Generate innovative practices and solutions guided by ethical standards
• Make decisions based on moral norms and imperatives

The Contemporary World – Syllabus 2023-2024 2

 • Advocate respect for human rights
• Contribute personally and meaningfully to the country’s development

Skills (Practical Skills)

• Work effectively in a group
• Use current technology to assist and facilitate learning and research
• Negotiate the world of technology responsibly
• Create solutions to problems in various fields
• Manage one’s knowledge, skills, and values for responsible and productive living
• Organize one’s self for lifelong learning

Course Outcomes:

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

• Differentiate the various interpretations of and approaches of globalization
• Examine the issues confronting the nation-state
• Evaluate the impacts of globalization on different social units and their responses
• Analyze the different contemporary drivers of globalization
• Describe the emergence of global economic, political, social and cultural systems
• Interpret contemporary world issues in the context of globalization
• Write a research paper on a topic related to globalization
• Articulate personal position on a contemporary world issue
• Identify the ethical implications of global citizenship

Topics

Week No. Learning Outcomes Content

• Introduce self to class members Course overview

Weeks 1-2 • List expectations for the course Classroom and/or online
• Recall course rules learning policies

• Enumerate and explain the positive and

Week 3
the negative aspects of globalization
Concepts of Globalization
according to the status quo and the
Module 1
personal observations of reality

• Define Economic Globalization

Week 4
• Identify the factors that facilitate
economic globalization The Global Economy
Module 2
• Articulate a viewpoint on global economic
Section 1
integration

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 • Identify international financial institutions
Week 5 • Explain the role of international financial
Market Integration
institution in the creation of a global
(International Financial
Module 2 economy
Institutions)
Section 2 • Narrate a short history of global market
integration in the twentieth century

Week 6 – Preliminary Examination

Week 7 • Explain the effects of globalization on

governments The Global Interstate System
Module 2 • identify the institutions that govern (International Law)
Section 3 international relations

• Define global governance

Week 8
• Explain the identified roles and functions
The United Nations and
of the United Nations
Module 2 Contemporary Governance
• Describe the challenges of global
Section 4
governance in the 21st century

• Explain how globalization affects religious

practices and beliefs
• Identify the various religious responses to
globalization
Week 9 • Explain and defend personal
understanding about the meaning of The Globalization of Religion
Module 3 religion
• Compare and contrast the past and
present generations’ religious practices
considering the advent of globalization
and technology

Week 10 Write a research paper proposal with

proper citation - Critique research Research Proposal Writing
proposals of classmates Research Proposal Critique
Group Activity

• Identify the push and pull reasons of

global migration to one’s economy
Week 11 • Identify and explain the reasons why
Global Population and Mobility
people migrate
• Global Migration
Module 4 • Share insights in relations to the
challenges connected to global
migration

Week 12 Midterm Examination

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 • Differentiate the concept of stability from
Week 13
sustainability
Sustainable Development
• Determine the significance of sustainable
Module 5
development in a global world
• Describe the characteristics of global
citizenship
Week 14
• Illustrate the importance of global
Global Citizenship
citizenship
Module 6
• Articulate a personal definition of global
citizenship
Weeks 15 -17 – Research Project Oral Presentation

18 Final Examination

Course Requirement:

• Written Tasks (quizzes, essay, assignment, research project)

• Performance Task (individual graded recitation, group presentation, active participation in group
and class discussion)
• Examination (Prelim, Mid-term and Final)

Resources : As stated in the Learning Strategies – Materials

Instructor Information : ERNESTO S. FARAON

A Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management major in

Strategy Management

Consultation Hours : Wednesday via text messaging from 12:00 – 2:00 PM

Note : Please note that the above schedule for lectures, class discussion and other activities can be
modified or revised if unforeseen circumstances dictate so or the changes are justified to address
the needs or in the best interest of students.

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References:

• Textbook:
• Brazalote, Tumoro C and Leonardo, Ryan M (2019). The Contemporary World Outcome-
Based Module. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.
• Claudio, Lizandro E. and Abinales, Patricio N. (2018). The Contemporary World. Quezon City:
C&E Publlishing, Inc.
• Steger, Manfred B., Paul Battersby, and Joseph M. Siracusa, eds. 2014.The SAGE Handbook of
Globalization. Two volumes. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.

• Other Readings as suggested by the CHED:

• Aguilar, Filomeno V. 2012. “Differentiating Sedimented from Modular Transnationalism: The

View from East Asia.” Asian and Pacific Migration Journal 21(2): 149–171.
• Bello, Walden F. 2006. “The Multiple Crises of Global Capitalism.” In Deglobalization: Ideas
for a New World Economy, pp. 1-31. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.
• Castles, Stephen. 2000. “International Migration at the Beginning of the Twenty-First
Century: Global Trends and Issues.” International Social Science Journal 52 (165): 269–281.
• Carter, April. 2001. “Global Civil Society: Acting as Global Citizens” in The Political Theory of
Global Citizenship, pp. 147-176 London: Routledge.
• Connell, Raewyn. 2007. “Dependency, Autonomy and Culture. In Southern Theory: The Global
Dynamics of Knowledge in Social Science, pp. 139-163. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
• Lesthaeghe, Ron. 2010. “The Unfolding Story of the Second Demographic Transition.”
Population and Development Review 36(2): 211–251.
• Livi-Bacci, Massiomo. 205. “What We Can and Cannot Learn from the History of World
Population. Population Studies: A Journal of Demography 69(S1): S21–S28.
• Mazower, Mark. 2006. “An International Civilization? Empire, Internationalism and the Crisis
of the Mid-Twentieth Century.” International Affairs 82(3): 553–566.
• McMichael, Philip. 2009.“A Food Regime Analysis of the World Food Crisis.”Agriculture and
Human Values 26(4): 281-295.
• Sassen, Saskia. 2005. “The Global City: Introducing a Concept.” Brown Journal of World
AffairsXI(2): 27-43.
• Shiraishi, Takashi. 2006. “The Third Wave: Southeast Asia and Middle-Class Formation in the
Making of a Region.” In Beyond Japan: The Dynamics of East Asian Regionalism, edited by
Peter Katzenstein and Takashi Shiraishi, pp. 237–271. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
• Steger, Manfred B. 2005. “Ideologies of Globalization.” Journal of Political Ideologies 10(1):
11–30.
• Wallerstein, Immanuel. 2004. “The Modern World-System as a Capitalist World Economy:
Production, Surplus-Value, and Polarization.” In World-SystemsAnalysis: An Introduction, pp.
23-41. Durham and London: Duke University Press.

• Films:
• “The Corporation” directed by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott
• “The Price of Sugar” directed by Bill Haney
• “The Rise of ISIS,” PBS Frontline (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/rise-of-isis/)

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