Global Affairs Explained: The Fundamentals

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Global Affairs Explained: The Fundamentals

This course is part of Global Affairs Explained Specialization

Instructor: CFR Education

Included with

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

How to dentify and explain the critical actors and forces that shape global affairs.
The history of globalization from the 19th century to now, particularly as it relates to humans’ social, political, and economic interconnectedness.
How to assess key theories and approaches to the workings of global affairs.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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This course is part of the Global Affairs Explained Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 5 modules in this course

Today’s interdependent global economy and geopolitical landscape connect one country’s interests and actions more than ever to those of other countries and their citizens.

“Global Affairs: The Fundamentals” is designed to provide learners with a detailed understanding of the political, historic, and theoretical contexts that shape our interconnected world. With this knowledge, learners will be able to address complex questions such as when (and why) a government might choose to isolate itself from other countries or engage with them, or respond to global events with a unilateral or multilateral approach. After completing the course, learners will be able to identify and explain the critical actors and forces that shape global affairs; explain the history of globalization from the 19th century to today, particularly as this history relates to humans’ social, political, and economic interconnectedness; and assess key theories and approaches to the workings of global affairs.

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.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 discussion prompt

What is “globalization?” What separates a capitalist from a communist government, and why does that matter for how the world works? What exactly is the United Nations anyway? This module answers these questions and more by providing a detailed explanation of the key terms, actors, and ideas in global affairs.

What's included

1 video16 readings2 assignments3 discussion prompts

1 video Total 1 minute

Before You Begin 1 minute

16 readings Total 160 minutes

Introduction to Module Two 10 minutes
The Building Blocks of the Global System 10 minutes
How States are Governed 10 minutes
Political Ideologies and Leanings 10 minutes
How do Forces Outside Government Influence Policymaking? 10 minutes
International Organizations 10 minutes
Fundamental Ideas and Principles in Global Affairs 10 minutes
Explaining Sovereignty 10 minutes
What is Self-Determination? 10 minutes
What are Human Rights? 10 minutes
When (and Why) Do Countries Work Together? 10 minutes
Unilateralism vs. Multilateralism 10 minutes
The Liberal World Order 10 minutes
Why Do Countries Work Against Each Other? 10 minutes
Ongoing Challenges to the Liberal World Order 10 minutes
Related Readings 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 60 minutes

Knowledge Check 30 minutes
Module Two Quiz 30 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 30 minutes

Module Two Discussion Forum (Optional) 10 minutes
Re-Thinking Sovereignty (Optional) 10 minutes
Module Two Discussion Forum (Optional) 10 minutes

Human history is a story of interaction, but when did that interaction begin? How has human interaction and connection slowed or hastened over time? Module Three explores the long history of human interconnectedness, paying particular attention to the last two hundred years of world history.

What's included

1 video11 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

1 video Total 1 minute

Before You Begin 1 minute

11 readings Total 110 minutes

Introduction to Module Three 10 minutes
The World Before 1900 10 minutes
Timeline: Essential Events Before 1900 10 minutes
World History from 1900-1945 10 minutes
Essential Events Between 1900 and 1945 10 minutes
The Cold War World, 1945-1991 10 minutes
Essential Events Between 1945 and 1991 10 minutes
Impacts from the End of the Cold War 10 minutes
The Globalized World, 1991–Present 10 minutes
Essential Events, 1991–Present 10 minutes
Related Readings 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module Three Quiz 30 minutes

2 discussion prompts Total 20 minutes

Module Three Discussion Forum (Optional) 10 minutes
Module Three Discussion Board (Optional) 10 minutes

How do policymakers understand global affairs and make decisions based on events unfolding in the world? Module Four explores the various strategy-based and theoretical approaches that exist to help structure our understanding of global affairs, guide policymakers in setting priorities, and help analysts understand events and make predictions based on them.

What's included

1 video11 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts

1 video Total 1 minute

Before You Begin 1 minute

11 readings Total 110 minutes

Introduction to Module Four 10 minutes
Fundamental Debates in Global Affairs 10 minutes
Isolationism vs. Engagement 10 minutes
Isolationism vs. Engagement in World War I 10 minutes
Idealism vs. Realism 10 minutes
Idealism Versus Realism in the Tiananmen Square Crackdown 10 minutes
Other Theories of International Relations 10 minutes
Constructivist Approaches to Global Affairs 10 minutes
Marxism 10 minutes
Feminist Approaches to Global Affairs 10 minutes
Related Readings 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 4 Quiz 30 minutes

3 discussion prompts Total 30 minutes

Module Four Discussion Forum (Optional) 10 minutes
Isolationism vs. Engagement Discussion Board 10 minutes
Module Three Discussion Board (Optional) 10 minutes

This module concludes the course. In it, learners will read a brief summary of the material they have covered, take a full course assessment, and explore some additional steps to continue their global affairs learning journey.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 assignment

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Instructor

CFR Education

Council on Foreign Relations

6 Courses 2,425 learners

Offered by

Council on Foreign Relations

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