Global Challenges

Global policy challenges for the U.S. and the world abound and are not difficult to recognize. However, what ideas and strategies can be identified to help alleviate such critical issues? What resources, mechanisms and actors (e.g., states, international institutions, public and private organizations) are available and what incentives motivate or discourage different forms of action? What are the known costs and constraints, and to what extent can tradeoffs and unintended consequences be managed? This course uses international relations concepts and theories to explain how global policy challenges are addressed and the factors that promote or impede international cooperation. Students will explore various international relations approaches to how the world works and their different perspectives on the ways and extent to which global policy challenges can be resolved. Students will also research and write a paper on a global policy challenge of their choice.

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