Archaeology of Globalisation - JSB764

• Title: Archaeology of Globalisation
• Guaranteed by: Department of Sociology (23-KS)
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Actual: from 2025 to 2025
• Semester: summer
• E-Credits: 4
• Examination process: summer s.:
• Hours per week, examination: summer s.:0/2, C [HT]
• Capacity: unknown / unlimited (10)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment; priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
• Guarantor: doc. Mgr. Martin Hájek, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): doc. Mgr. Martin Hájek, Ph.D.
• Class: Courses for incoming students
• Pre-requisite : JSB722

Annotation

This research seminar explores the neglected contributions of Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia to recent global society. The exploration will be based on Michel Foucault’s ‘history of the present’ methodological approach. Instruction will take the form of ‘learning through researching’. Students will conduct the research individually or in pairs. At the end of the semester, they will present their research reports.

Last update: Hájek Martin, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (05.02.2026)

Aim of the course

1. To learn about the neglected contributions of Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia to global society.
2. To practise interdisciplinary research within the social sciences, inspired by Foucauldian archaeological, genealogical, and 'history of the present’ methodological approaches.

Last update: Hájek Martin, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (12.01.2026)

Course completion requirements

Course completion requirements

This is a pass/fail course. Credits are awarded for a “Pass” if the student:
1. Meets the attendance requirement (max. 1 unexcused absence);
2. Submits a research proposal (1–2 pages) with a preliminary bibliography by the end of Week 3;
3. Completes at least two documented progress updates (short in-class presentation or written memo);
4. Actively participates in peer feedback and seminar discussion;
5. Delivers a final presentation in Weeks 11–12;
6. Submits a final report (recommended length: 3,000–4,000 words) that includes a research question, appropriate sources/data, a methodological reflection, ethical compliance where relevant, and proper literature referencing.

AI use policy
The use of generative AI (LLM chatbots) is permitted and even recommended for certain tasks, provided it is correctly referenced. Direct copying of AI-generated texts is not permitted.

Last update: Hájek Martin, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (12.01.2026)

Literature

Obligatory reading:
Garland, D. (2014). What is a “history of the present”? On Foucault’s genealogies and their critical preconditions. Punishment & society, 16(4), 365-384.

Substantive literature will be determined during the semester.

Last update: Hájek Martin, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (12.01.2026)

Syllabus

Course schedule

Weeks 1–3: Formulating the research problem and questions, and designing the research. Defining common and particular research grounds and paths.
Weeks 4–6: Data generation and processing.
Weeks 7–9: Data analysis and interpretation. Discussion. Refinement of research questions, data or findings.
Weeks 10–12: Second round of interpretation. Discussion of validity and relevance. Final presentations.

Last update: Hájek Martin, doc. Mgr., Ph.D. (12.01.2026)