Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces the interdisciplinary field of International Studies to all undergraduates and IS majors. Examines the major global challenges of our time, including poverty and inequality, environmental degradation, nationalism, civil war, and armed conflict. Explores the challenge of global governance and global citizenship. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines some of the most pressing global challenges of our time, including armed conflict and war, poverty and inequality, nationalism, and environmental degradation. We will focus on research from across the social sciences to help us understand the multifaceted nature of these problems and the ways in which they are interconnected. 

We will begin by surveying key aspects of the contemporary global order and key actors in international affairs. We will then explore specific challenges in the areas of security, development, global health, and the environment, examining the conditions that give rise to these problems, as well as various efforts to address them. 

The questions we will explore include:
How has war changed over the past century; and, how can armed conflict be prevented or stopped?
Why has poverty persisted in different areas of the world and what should be done to reduce it?
What is the global fate of democracy, with populism on the rise around the world? Is democracy in decline?
What role has the Internet played in making democracies more vulnerable?
Should infectious diseases, like Ebola or the Zika virus, be treated as “security threats”? 
How does climate change affect communities around the world? 
Why is it difficult to address environmental challenges at a global level? How can progress be made in responding to these problems?
How does international human rights law protect individuals from political violence and from other threats to dignity and well-being?
Can the international human rights regime be strengthened and expanded?

We will conclude by examining the meaning of ‘global citizenship’ and by assessing its limitations and its promise in the 21st century. 

This course will be of general interest to students in all disciplines. It is also a gateway to the major in International Studies. It provides knowledge valuable for careers in international affairs, including careers in international development, diplomacy, human rights, humanitarianism, international law, journalism, and environmental sustainability. In addition to developing your knowledge of global affairs and your critical thinking skills, the course requirements are also designed to help you develop the kind of practical writing skills needed to work in many jobs in government and nongovernmental organizations, as well as in a range of professions beyond academia.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: