Via satellite, a speaker Wednesday night discussed the pros and cons of globalization.

Barry Hughes, a professor at the Graduate School of International Studies of the University of Denver, appeared via satellite connection in the Alliant Energy-Lee Liu Auditorium in Howe Hall as a guest speaker for the technology, globalization and culture class.

Throughout his lecture, Hughes presented the class with a computer simulation system he described as a tool for exploring multiple global issues.

He related the pros and cons of increasing globalization in today’s society both as an individual nation and worldwide.

“It is not as simple as globalization is either helping us or hurting us,” Hughes said. “It is a much more complex phenomena.”

The lecture lasted just shy of an hour and was concluded with questions from the audience.

Some questions were pulled from an online audience that watched the lecture from off campus.

The class, taught by James Bernard, distinguished professor of the Virtual Reality Applications Center, and Mark Rectanus, professor of world languages and cultures, meets twice a week and often features an assortment of high-profile speakers, including former Gov. Tom Vilsack in October.

In general, student reactions to the lecture were favorable.

Kris Lineberry, graduate student in mechanical engineering, said that 30 years ago, nobody thought that globalization mattered.

“Now that we’ve got so many markets, so many products coming from [other countries] people are starting to pay attention,” Lineberry said.

Christopher Untiet, graduate student in political science, said information from the speaker can be applied to everyday life.

“Just knowing where the world is headed as far as the world becoming globalized and being able to best facilitate policies to improve people’s lives will be useful in my future,” Untiet said.

Lineberry said the lecture probably won’t help him in his job, but it could influence him in other ways.

“As a citizen, it will influence the way I vote and buy,” Lineberry said.