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Course Description 

What are the global challenges that are vital to understanding our contemporary world? This course explores six global debates from different academic and geographic perspectives: tyranny; contemporary social movements; food (in)security; world music; and sports diplomacy. Students will collectively select the final global debate to be discussed. To facilitate “thinking globally” students will engage with at least one resource per week that is published by a scholar based outside the United States and/or one international speaker. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory). No enrollment requirements. 

Structure 

Meets one hour per week. 

6 hours of online synchronous discussion with UCONN students led by Allison Casaly (Global Affairs), Sarah Dorr (International Studies Association), and Jane Gordon (Political Science/Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies). 6 hours of online virtual panels featuring guest speakers (TBD) in alternating weeks.  

Weeks 2 through 12 consist of synchronous class meetings online. Week 1 (September 2) and Week 15 (December 16) are in-person class meetings.  

Participation Requirements  

Participants can miss up to two virtual sessions while still earning full credit. Students are required to participate in person for the capstone session. If participation in the in-person sessions presents a challenge, please let Allison, Jane, or Sarah know as soon as possible. 

Weekly Time Commitment  

Session preparation will take between 1 and 3 hours per week. 

Course Learning Objectives 

1. Examine a range of voices to become familiar with subjects relevant to informed, global citizenship. 
2. Identify connections and divergence among disciplinary perspectives.
3. Contribute to structured and constructive dialogue on contemporary world issues.
4. Develop team-building and decision-making skills by collaboratively determining our final topic. Students will have the opportunity to select the readings or organize the panel for the final two sessions.