More Examples

Seminar: Strategies of Analysis (same one as before)
Topic: Globalisation and Empire
(My) Summary of the Topic: Globalisation is an inescapable phenomena that is pervasive and prevalent; it is all aroud us from the social to the political, from the micro to the macro, the personal to the communal. It is an all-encompassing term that gestures at a kind of homogenisation of the world (some critics view it as an 'Americanisation' of the world), a levelling of differences, of communal individuality and uniqueness. Globalisation breeds what some other critics have called a new Empire - an Empire that challenges and possibly dissolves the autonomy of the State and re-defines concepts of Nationhood and Nationality. It is Empire of everyone and no one, an Empire led not of a particular nation-state and certainly not of old-imperialism.

Discussion is led by the lecturer/faciltator, Dr Sara Brady.

Example 1: Discussion about Foucault, Power, Discourse and the ways it is Globalised
(My friend) Aoife: Perhaps we can consider the ways in which the physical space of a city, the architecture, the composition and use of space in the city as a construction of ways to encourage consumption and the need to purchase. Spaces are created that lure people to purchase, for example streets that are lined with shops and malls, advertisements that fill up empty spaces. It's the power of globalisation in action.
Me: Yes, it's largely about a culture of consumption - a consumption of material goods, of ideas, of authority, of ideology. The modern landscape breeds a desire to consume. That's a Marxist reading of course.
Girl A: Erm ... why is that so? I would have thought streets are designed and paved to lead one home, you know, like you take the road to work and then that road takes you home and leads you back home. How is that power?
Aoife: *Laughs. That's a 'cute' way of looking at it ...
Me: *Wide-eyed wonder

Example 2: Discussion about Globalisation and the homogenisation of culture. In a globalised world, choice is merely an illusion for everything at the end of the day is the same as everything else.

Lecturer/Facilitator: If you look at material goods, they are essentially all the same. What you can find here, you can find in any other city. Thus choice is really an illusion when it comes to purchasing. They may differ in some aspects but honestly how different is an Adidas shoe from a Nike one?
Girl B: That's not true. I can't find 'Jeff Peanut Butter' here. They've got American products here but they aren't exactly the same. I can't find 'Jeff Peanut Butter'. There are other brands but no 'Jeff'.
Marcus: *Looks at Aoife. Aoife returns the equally surprised look.
Marcus: *Interjects. That's the point. It's an illusion of choice and you are a victim of that illusion.

No prizes for guessing where Girl A and B come from...

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