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Global Affairs Explained: Twenty-First Century Challenges

Global Affairs Explained: Twenty-First Century Challenges

This course is part of Global Affairs Explained Specialization

Instructor: CFR Education

Included with

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7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

7 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

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.
Evaluate the strategies policymakers use to address twenty-first century challenges.

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Global Affairs Explained Specialization

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

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 7 modules in this course

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.

Module details

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

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.

What's included

1 video11 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Before You Begin1 minute

11 readingsTotal 110 minutes

Introduction to Module Two10 minutes
What is Global Health?10 minutes
What is the World Health Organization?10 minutes
The WHO in Action10 minutes
Major Pandemics of the Modern Era10 minutes
Global Health Threats Today10 minutes
Improving Access to Health Care10 minutes
Safeguarding Against Infectious Diseases10 minutes
How Governments Can Protect Against NCDs10 minutes
What Lies Ahead10 minutes
Related Readings10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module Two Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

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

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.

What's included

1 video12 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

1 videoTotal 2 minutes

Before You Begin2 minutes

12 readingsTotal 120 minutes

Introduction to Module Three10 minutes
Understanding Migration10 minutes
Migration Today10 minutes
For Migrants, Labels Matter10 minutes
Who Is an Economic Migrant?10 minutes
Who Is a Refugee? Who Is an Asylum Seeker? 10 minutes
How Do Refugees Seek Asylum?10 minutes
Internally Displaced Persons10 minutes
Migration Challenges10 minutes
The Lasting Effects of Emigration10 minutes
Module Three Conclusion10 minutes
Related Readings10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module Three Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

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

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.

What's included

1 video16 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

1 videoTotal 2 minutes

Before You Begin2 minutes

16 readingsTotal 160 minutes

Introduction to Module Four10 minutes
What is the Greenhouse Effect?10 minutes
How Climate Change Can Get Even Worse10 minutes
How Humans Cause Climate Change10 minutes
Climate Impacts Vary Across the World10 minutes
Extreme Weather10 minutes
Economic and Infrastructure Damage10 minutes
Disrupting Global Food and Water Supplies10 minutes
Social Impacts of Climate Change10 minutes
What is Mitigation?10 minutes
What is Adaptation?10 minutes
What is Geoengineering?10 minutes
What Can Governments Do to Fight Against Climate Change?10 minutes
How International Agreements Help Fight Climate Change10 minutes
Module Four Conclusion10 minutes
Related Readings10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module Four Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

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

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.

What's included

1 video14 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

1 videoTotal 2 minutes

Before You Begin2 minutes

14 readingsTotal 140 minutes

Introduction to Module Five10 minutes
Global Development Explained10 minutes
Development: Definitions and History10 minutes
International Development Today10 minutes
What Causes Development to Improve or Regress?10 minutes
What is Economic Inequality?10 minutes
Why Is Inequality Bad for Development?10 minutes
How can governments reduce inequality?10 minutes
What are the Sustainable Development Goals?10 minutes
History of the Sustainable Development Goals10 minutes
Qualities of the SDGs10 minutes
Will the Sustainable Development Goals Succeed?10 minutes
Module Five Conclusion10 minutes
Related Readings10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module Five Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

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

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.