The term globalisation has become a central concept for all the social sciences in an astonishingly short period of time. This module is dedicated to making sense of this new addition to the lexicon. What are its various meaning and are they congruent? Whence did the concept arise and why has it gained ubiquity so quickly? And what should be made of the debates that the term has excited? These issues are explored directly, and also through a range of subordinate themes, including space, territoriality and the states-system; the world market, trade, and economic interdependence; governance, war and social movements. Globalisation is a complex and contentious concept, which is variously interpreted as: a form of ‘time space compression’ which is ‘shrinking’ our world; a series of opportunities for growth and modernisation; or the institutionalisation and internationalisation of inequalities and injustice. Its advocates argue that it has increased the depth and scope of the application of human rights and lifted millions of people out of poverty. Its detractors point to its connection with the recent global financial crisis and the willingness and ability of powerful elites to manipulate its mechanisms and consequences.