M8D1 Immanuel Wallerstein's Theoretical Orientations

By the end of this activity students will be able to:
Analyze social phenomena utilizing theoretical frameworks (Sociology Major Outcome #2)
Analyze significant political issues according to the standards of the discipline in three of the following areas: The enduring controversies and values underlying the contending theoretical and philosophical controversies which have marked either classical political theory and/or modern positive political theory (Political Science Major Outcome #2)
Read the assigned readings in the textbook and answer question 1 on page 825.  Wallerstein argues that the capitalist world economy is based on a division among core, semiperipheral, and peripheral regions. He also notes that any given nation can move from one tier to another. What factors contribute to a nation's advancement or decline? What nations do you think are advancing/declining and why? What, if anything, do you think is happening to the position of the US?
• Watch/Listen 
o PowerPoint slides for Chapter 16 [PPT File Size 1333KB]
o World Systems Theory [Video File 2 mins 49 secs]
o https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=DokCX7RRbo8&feature=related
o Immanuel Wallerstein on the end of Capitalism [Video File 7 mins 45 secs]
o https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=nLvszWBf6BQ