This FIG examines the cultural impact of capitalism on various spheres of social life. In this way, it attempts to view a host of contemporary global problems from the perspective of a ‘culture’ of capitalism that is associated with globalization. In particular, the course examines the way capitalism affects our conceptions of labor, consumption, health, the environment, and food.
College Connections Faculty: Geoff Kennedy
Dr. Geoff Kennedy is a political scientist with a research interest in political economy and political thought, with an area focus on Europe. He is the author of Diggers, Levellers and Agrarian Capitalism: Radical Political Thought in Seventeenth Century England (2008), as well as numerous articles on the history of European political thought and political economy. His current research examines the impact of the Eurozone crisis on the countries of Southern Europe. In particular, he is interested in the impact of austerity on labor movements in Southern Europe, as well as the rise of radical anti-austerity movements such as Syriza in Greece, the 5 Star Movement in Italy, Podemos in Spain and Livre in Portugal. Prior to joining the University of Oregon, Dr. Kennedy held an academic post in the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University in the United Kingdom, where he taught politics and the history of political thought and served as Co-Director for the Centre for the History of Political Thought. He has also held academic posts at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, the Middle East Technical University in Northern Cyprus, and York University and the University of Saskatchewan in Canada.
FIG Assistant: Madison Moskowitz
I am a sophomore political science major with a minor in rhetoric. I am a senator for the Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO) Senate, and I also serve on the Board of the Erb Memorial Union (EMU). I am currently serving as the president of the University of Oregon College Democrats and I am also a Wayne Morse Scholar through their Center for Politics and Law’s undergraduate honors program.
My academic interests are in politics, law, United States political culture, sexuality, race, and inequality. I most recently read Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, which is a powerful book to read after The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. Outside of academics, I spend time volunteering at the Democratic Party of Lane County, Planned Parenthood, and the Northwest Dog Project. I love dogs of all stripes, so if you see a dog on campus, I’m probably the person petting it! My favorite part about being a Duck is all of the opportunities to get involved. Also, at the end of spring term when it heats up outside, I love seeing Ducks head to the river to lay in the sun, float the river and hang out!
Summer Assignment:
Keep a log over summer of at least two articles a week (starting as early as the week of July 4th) from a reputable news source about what you deem relevant to globalization and development. This log, which should total at least 10 articles, is due at the beginning of the fall term at our first College Connections class. In addition, please write a two page paper identifying a common theme in the news articles you read.
Details:
•The log should consist of the news source, title of article, author, link (unless it was a print publication), and date it was published.
•Use your judgement on what constitutes a reputable and dependable news source. Wikipedia does not count. The New York Times and BBC do.
•The paper should be double spaced, with one inch margins and 12pt font.
If you cite articles in your paper, which is encouraged, please attach a works cited page.
If you have questions: Please reach out over the course of the summer to your FIG assistant, Madison Moskowitz, if you have any questions. You can reach her at mmoskow2@uoregon.edu. Please contact Madison before attempting to reach Dr. Kennedy, though he can be reached at gkennedy@uoregon.edu.
Week of Welcome:
Our FIG will meet on Friday, September 23rd at 10 AM in Columbia 150! Please arrive around 10 minutes early, as we will be moving to another location shortly after 10!
Are you looking for future classes related to your FIG?
The courses below are related to the focus of your FIG and are a great way to keep exploring the subject matter that you dove into your first term at the UO. Many of these courses satisfy general education requirements.
- INTL 240: Global Health & Development
- SOC 304: Community, Environment, and Society
- ES 101: Intro to Ethnic Studies
- PS 230: Intro to Urban Politics
- ENVS 201: Intro to Social Environmental Science
- WGS 351: Intro to Global Feminism