Biography

From global poverty to human trafficking, from climate refugees to animal poaching, from war crimes to child marriage, the problems on this planet are many. But, there are ways you and I can work with other like-minded cosmopolitans and humanitarians to solve them. This course seeks to empower you to understand global issues in all their complexity and to take action. You will study the role of global governance institutions (e.g., the United Nations with its Sustainable Development Goals), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), global public health, environmental policy, international trade, foreign aid and development play on the global stage. Our class activities, along with guest speakers, will help us understand that there is no “one size fits all” to the vexing issues that face our planet and us. But this course is as much experiential as it is academic! You will participate in the Youth Philanthropy Project (YPP) - a unique opportunity to advocate for a cause you are passionate about in collaboration with an NGO of your choosing. Over the past ten years, students in the Global Issues class have won over $80,000 for their NGOs from the generosity of the HAND Foundation and the Koum Family Foundation. This project equips you with change-making skills that will empower you to seek the change so hard-fought in our world today. Join our class so you too can be part of the good we are doing for the world!

Note: Honors option available to juniors and seniors.

Prerequisites: Open to seniors and juniors, and sophomores if space is available.