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 21st-century global challenges related to security and armed conflict, poverty and inequality, economic development, migration, nationalism, environmental change, and global health. We will explore the conditions that give rise to these challenges and how they are interconnected. We will also assess important international responses to these problems.

We will begin by examining key aspects of contemporary global affairs, including: the system of sovereign states, global capitalism, globalization, and the international human rights regime. We will also examine some of the key actors in global governance and world affairs, including states, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and transnational corporations.

To understand the multifaceted nature of contemporary global problems, we will focus on research from across the social sciences; and, we will discuss this research in relation to contemporary events. 

The questions we will explore include:

• What are the causes and consequences of war and armed conflict; and, how can such conflicts be prevented?
• Why has poverty persisted in different areas of the world and what should be done to reduce it?
• In what ways has democracy been challenged and weakened by globalization and inequality, populism, and conflict?
• How do international human rights agreements protect individuals from political violence and from other threats to their security, dignity, and well-being?
• Why is it difficult to address environmental problems at a global level? How might progress be made in responding to these challenges?

This course provides valuable knowledge for careers in: international development, international law, diplomacy, human rights, humanitarianism, journalism, and environmental sustainability.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

In this course, we will work on your ability to:

• Describe and critically analyze the nature and causes of contemporary global challenges related to security, development, environmental change, migration and global health
• Describe and evaluate key international responses to these challenges
• Describe and critically analyze the system of sovereign states, capitalism, globalization, and the human rights regime
• Describe and critically assess the roles played by states, intergovernmental organizations, and nongovernmental organizations in addressing global challenges
• Communicate ideas clearly and persuasively in writing

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

REQUIRED READING NOTES: