Global Affairs Explained: Twenty-First Century Challenges

Overview

From migration, to climate change, to the rise of artificial intelligence, policymakers today face an increasingly complex set of challenges. “Global Affairs explained: Twenty-First Century Challenges” is designed to provide learners with a deeper understanding of the main challenges facing the world today. Learners will also explore how the various issues facing the world relate to one another and consider the complexities that policymakers face in trying to address them. After completing the course, learners will be able to describe key twenty-first century global challenges and explain their impacts on global affairs; assess the ways in which different twenty-first century challenges are interconnected; and evaluate the strategies policymakers use to address twenty-first century challenges.

Syllabus

Module 1: Course Introduction

In this opening module, we discuss course aims, organization, and measures for assessment. By familiarizing themselves with this introductory material, learners will prepare themselves for success in later, more content-driven modules.

Module 2: Global Health

Keeping the world healthy is a tall task, especially as the global health landscape evolves. This module explores the global health challenges facing the world today and the efforts to respond to them.

Module 3: Migration

People have moved across borders throughout history, and today is no different. As migration continues to shape societies around the world, it also raises complex questions for policymakers. This module explores the global landscape of migration and how governments have responded to it.

Module 4: Climate and Environment

Climate change is one of the most urgent problems facing the world in the twenty-first century. And tackling it is far from an easy task. This module explores the fundamentals of climate change, and what humans can do to address it.

Module 5: Development

People around the world are living longer, healthier, and more prosperous lives than ever before. Despite that, significant challenges for global development remain. This module explores the evolution of efforts to improve the world—including global infrastructure, education, and health.

Module 6: Information and Technology

The internet is a defining technology of the twenty-first century. As it has grown it has surfaced new issues of cybersecurity, data privacy, and online rights. Meanwhile, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence poses new challenges and opportunities alike. This module explores how cyberspace has shaped societies and how policymakers have tried to manage it.