Global Arc

Policy ideas are useless unless used. The proof of their value is in implementation. Yet, across the public, non-profit, and private sectors, there are many more good policy ideas than there are good ideas implemented. Why? Because implementation is hard. This course will consist of a guided and case-informed analysis and conversation about domestic organizations and leaders who have been demonstrably effective at translating ideas into action, and implementing policy.

This seminar will present a case study of one state's constitutional structure by examining the design and operation of the 1947 New Jersey Constitution. The seminar will explore (1) the Constitution's remarkable history from its modern creation in 1947 and ensuing amendments adopted by the voters; (2) the distribution of state powers among the executive, legislative and judicial branches, and resultant inter-branch tensions; (3) a sampling of individual rights that are afforded greater protection under the NJ Constitution than under federal constitutional law; and (4) the importance of state constitutions co-existing within a federal system.

In recent years, U.S. foreign policy has been unsettled by the rise of new approaches that challenge what in critics' eyes have been the dominant neoconservative as well as liberal internationalist paradigms. What precisely would a different and, in particular, progressive foreign policy look like, and how it might survive first contact with real-life problems, is the topic of this course.

The last half-decade has been characterized by public concern over the spread of formerly-fringe ideas, such as conspiracy theories, violent racism, male supremacy, and anti-vaccination mythologies and their correspondence with the popularity of social media platforms. This class asks students to consider how social media platforms and US government regulators should tackle this problem. We will take a critical approach to disinformation studies and examine social platform policies, global countering violent extremism efforts, and Obama, Trump, and Biden-era policies around political violence to formulate recommendations and best practices.

Democracy may not exist, but we will miss it when it's gone. The course will examine countries that are ostensibly democracies, but where institutions and the way governments behave, as well as the way in which money corrupts, all indicate a backsliding in democratic norms. The countries will include: the US; UK; Brazil; South Africa; Turkey; Israel; India; 3 inside the EU: Hungary, Poland & Romania. There will also be an examination of what can be done to strengthen institutions and fulfill the meaning of the words DEMOS (people) and KRATOS (rule or hold power).

This course examines a series of seminal conflicts or crises in the Middle East. It is an in-depth exploration of key issues that arise from exploring four topics: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the U.S. invasion of Iraq; the Syrian civil war; and diplomacy surrounding the Iranian nuclear program. Each case is taught from the perspective of an American diplomatic practitioner and policy-maker, delving into broader matters such as the question of one's objectivity and preexisting biases; the weight of competing historical narratives; the role of cognitive empathy in international relations; and the part played by the media.

The European Union (EU) has its own legal system. So does the Council of Europe (COE), another international organization, famous for the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). And so do each of the states that are members of the EU and COE. How do these multiple legal systems coordinate and sometimes clash? In Legal Europe, we will learn EU law, ECHR law and national law from multiple European states to explore how they work together (or not) to handle the toughest issues of our time, including democratic backsliding, violations of human rights, international security, economic policy, mass migration and nationalism.

As the economy shifts, who wins and who loses? This seminar, taught by a top NPR editor, will arm students with critical skills to analyze and write with clarity about the role economics plays in shaping our lives. From everyday decisions like who to date, where to travel, or what to buy, the economy also impacts us in significant ways over time, depending on our race, gender or class. Writing is one of the most effective tools of learning and synthesizing complex ideas. Students will learn to frame, structure and write clearly and concisely.

This course offers an experiential examination of conflict resolution theory and practice including negotiation, mediation, and restorative justice. It will focus on an analysis of the impact of emotion, power, culture and other factors on conflict escalation, de-escalation and resolution. Students will learn skills through interactive exercises and simulations.

The world today is increasingly understood to be multipolar. The United States is still the world's superpower, but there are plenty of other significant powers that matter. What does the world look like from their perspective? The goal of the class will be to engender a more global perspective on the world with a better understanding of the motives behind the foreign policies of key governments from all regions. Each week, we will study a different country or group of countries.