About this course: How can we use the things we share in common to address some of the most challenging problems facing the world? This course examines issues concerning poverty, the environment, technology, health care, gender, education and activism to help us understand better how to initiate positive change.
Created by: Wesleyan University
Taught by: Michael S. Roth
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
What are Social Goods? From the Commons to Moral Revolutions
Discussion about what our social good is, how we define it and how it can be sustainably used.
7 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Introduction: Social Good and Tragedy of the Commons
- Video: Genealogy of the Idea of Social Good
- Video: Reciprocity and Giving Back to the Commons
- Video: From Legitimate Communal Regulation to Pressures for Exploitation
- Video: Fisheries Forests and Sustainable Productivity
- Video: Cultures of Trust and Reinforcing the Commons by Practicing Cooperation
- Video: From Copyright to Communities of Cooperative Practice
- Reading: Recommended Readings
Graded: What are social goods? What is the commons?
WEEK 2
Poverty and Development
Discussion about poverty and the relationship of poverty to philanthropy and to foreign aid, actions taken to mitigate the effects of poverty, of major theorists and economists working in this area and , also, a new approach to this subject through randomized experimentation.
7 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Extreme Poverty – Introduction
- Video: Varieties of Poverty and Development
- Video: Listening to the Poor to Find Out What Works
- Video: Multi-Pronged Effort: Private Enterprise, Government and Inclusive Growth
- Video: Systematic Efforts to Find Out What Works Best
- Video: Breaking out of Cycles of Suffering
- Video: Inclusive Economic Growth and a Global Movement to End Poverty
- Reading: Recommended Readings
Graded: Poverty and Prosperity
WEEK 3
Climate Change and Sustainability
Discussion about political and economic ramifications of climate change, including how to think big about sustainability
9 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Climate Change and Sustainability
- Video: Global Challenges and Local Responses
- Video: Making a Difference and Varied Challenges
- Video: Grassroots Politics and Climate Change (1)
- Video: Politics and the Disruption of Ecosystems
- Video: Conversation with a Climate Economist on Risk Management
- Video: Risk, Assessment and Reducing Likelihood of Disaster
- Video: Conversation on Energy, Sustainability and Solution Science
- Video: Solution Science and What We Can Do
- Reading: Recommended Readings
Graded: Climate Change and Sustainability
WEEK 4
Disease and Global Health Care
Discussion about health care and poverty, considering major challenges that disease presents around the world and the global role of healthcare
7 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Disease and Global Health – Introduction
- Video: Democracy, Health and Engagement
- Video: Major Health Challenges and Responses (1)
- Video: Major Health Challenges and Responses (2)
- Video: Testing our Work to Make it Most Effective
- Video: Care, Organization and Making a Real Difference
- Video: Motivating Change and Holistic Responses to Poverty
- Reading: Recommended Readings
Graded: Global Disease and Health
WEEK 5
Women, Education and Social Change
Discussion of gender issues and the upward mobility of women, across business and education.
8 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Introduction and Quiet Violence Against Girls and Women
- Video: Social Entrepreneurship and Gender Lens Investing
- Video: Education and Risk Taking
- Video: Education and Building Human Capacity
- Video: Malala and the Courage of Education (1)
- Video: Malala and the Courage of Education (2)
- Video: You Can Have Impact: Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn (Part 1)
- Video: How We Can Change the World: Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
- Reading: Recommended Readings
Graded: Women, Education and Social Change
WEEK 6
Looking Back, Looking Foward
Reflections on where we have been and where we are going
2 videos
- Video: Wesleyan Students Share Their Thoughts about Change
- Video: Listening to the Local and Practical Idealism
Graded: Peer Review: Final Assignment
FAQs
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Wesleyan University
At Wesleyan, distinguished scholar-teachers work closely with students, taking advantage of fluidity among disciplines to explore the world with a variety of tools. The university seeks to build a diverse, energetic community of students, faculty, and staff who think critically and creatively and who value independence of mind and generosity of spirit.
Ratings and Reviews
Nice instructions
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Honestly, my knowledge has broadened quite a lot on social issues face by various individuals today. I loved doing this course because its a real eye-opener.
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I liked the course although it only gives a brief overview of the issues. I would have wished for some more solutions or some more advice of what we can actually do. In general I think, that courses as this one are very important for the global community and I am very happy that people take the effort and time to contribute to global learning in this way.