This course is a broad survey of the major political, economic, and cultural issues facing the 8+ billion people on the planet today. Among the wide range of problems and issues faced by people throughout the world, we will ask: who decides which issues get priority and attention? What informs your own sense of compassion and focus? Does our heightened sense of connection move us more quickly to resolution or to greater cynicism?

Grounded in the social sciences with readings and lecture material largely informed by the fields of anthropology, human geography, sociology, political science, and social psychology, this course compels students to consider ways in which current international issues are framed by popular media, various stakeholders, and academicians (from the social sciences).

This is an asynchronous, online course with regular weekly readings and discussions, covering  a full term in just four weeks. During the course, students will investigate an international issue and location of their choosing and prepare a final paper and online presentation of their independent research.