Lecture Series on Globalisation by Professor Omar Moumni

Dr Omar Moumni, a Professor of English and Cultural Studies at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences (Morocco), will be leading an insightful lecture series on “Globalisation and Identity in Society” starting this week. This series, part of the Communication Management MA programme's comprehensive curriculum, promises to offer a profound exploration of contemporary issues affecting society globally, locally, and glocally.

This lecture series represents a valuable opportunity for MA students in Communication Management to gain a nuanced understanding of how globalisation intersects with various societal dimensions, especially in the context of post-pandemic recovery and social transformation.

The lecture series begins with an introduction to the course, focusing on "Globalisation, Covid-19, and Social Change." This session explores the multifaceted impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, examining issues such as societal panic, racism, and the broader social changes prompted by the crisis. The discussions delve into the philosophical and educational implications of the pandemic, as well as its effects on tourism and social justice.

In the following meetings, the topic will shift to "Globalisation, Gender, and Risk Society." This lecture-seminar will investigate how globalisation intersects with gender dynamics and the concept of a risk society. The professor and students will analyse taboo and risk in Moroccan digital landscapes, the influence of social media on fashion, regional geographies of sexual social media, and the socio-political roots of Moroccan hip-hop.

The next session will cover "Globalisation, Migration, and Transnational Mobility." Here, the discussion will focus on the historical and contemporary patterns of Moroccan migrations, the experiences of French migrants in Morocco, and the postcolonial perspectives on Morocco's migration policies. Additionally, the session will highlight the exploitation of Moroccan women migrants in Spain's strawberry industry.

The series will conclude with a lecture on "Globalisation and Moroccan Cinema," followed by a final discussion. This meeting will explore the portrayal of orientalism in colonial Moroccan cinema, the representation of youth and globalisation in postcolonial cinema, the circulation and reception of Moroccan films, and the depiction of neoliberalism in Moroccan film narratives.

All of these enriching opportunities have been made possible thanks to the Erasmus+ programme. The teaching staff mobility supported by ERASMUS+ programme Key Action 1 between institutions from Programme and Partner countries aims to increase international cooperation and promote teaching about the central issues raised by globalisation and intercultural communication.

The text is authored by Dr Anastassia Zabrodskaja, who is a Professor of Intercultural Communication, the Head of the Communication Management master’s programme at Tallinn University Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, and the Executive Director of the European Masters in Intercultural Communication (EMICC) teaching and research network.