This course is part of the Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization

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Mauro Guillen

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Business Strategies for A Better World SpecializationUniversity of Pennsylvania

About this Course

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In this course, you’ll learn to analyze rapidly changing global trends, their effects on consumer and labor markets, financial systems, and geopolitical relationships among countries all over the world. Professor Mauro Guillen of the Wharton School has designed this course to help you understand the magnitude of influence these trends have on the business world and society. Through real-world case studies, both historical and contemporary, you’ll examine how changes within one society affect others. By the end of this course, you’ll have gained the tools to be able to identify, analyze, and adapt to global changes as they affect your business and society.

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Course 1 of 4 in the

Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

Skills you will gain

Global Financial Crisis
Trend Analysis
Economy
Trading
Strategic Management

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Course 1 of 4 in the

Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.88/5 (161 Ratings)

Mauro Guillen

Professor of International Management

Director of the Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies

15,362 Learners

2 Courses

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(1,969 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Module 1: People and Markets Around the World

In this module, we’ll begin by examining the relationship between population size and density to the geopolitical balance of power in the world. You’ll learn key aspects of demographics (such as total fertility and life expectancy at birth) and how rapid demographic growth or decline affects global economic and geopolitical dynamics. Then, you’ll evaluate the economic and political impact of urbanization and migration within societies, and the consequences of these changes in population dynamics, both within a society and between countries. By the end of this module, you’ll have a richer understanding of the impact of demographic trends on financial markets, political systems, culture, and society.

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 91 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

Week2

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Module 2: Money Around the World

This module was designed to give you a deeper understanding of how monetary trends and the distribution of monetary wealth affect the globe. Through close examination of global poverty and income inequality, you’ll learn critical concepts such as the Gini Coefficient and the Kuznets Curve, and how to use them as tools in analyzing the global distribution of wealth. You’ll also explore the rise of the global middle class, and how businesses are responding to the growth of middle class consumption. Finally, you’ll investigate the relationship between changing gender dynamics and wealth in the world. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to use effective analytical tools to form a clearer understanding of the effect of wealth within society and how it affects your organization.

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 67 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

Week3

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Module 3: Global Economic and Financial Imbalances

In this module, you’ll examine the growing issue of global economic and financial imbalances. Through relevant examples such as the European Zone crisis, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the effects of global economic dynamics on both individual countries and their relationships with one another. You’ll explore trade bloc controversies, different types of monetary unions (such as the European Union), and how financial imbalances affect the geopolitical balance and global economy. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to better assess the consequences of economic and financial imbalances on nations, markets, and societies, and be prepared to respond to these phenomena while making decisions for your organization and society.

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 125 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

8 videos

Global Economy & Financial Architecture7mThe Changing Geography of Capital Investments: Part 113mThe Changing Geography of Capital Investments: Part 218mTrade Blocs9mWhat are Trade Blocs?15mThe Origins of the Euro Zone17mWhy the Euro Zone Got in Trouble28mPossible Solutions to the European Crisis14m

2 readings

Week 3 Opinion Survey Questionnaire10mModule 3 - Lecture Slides10m

1 practice exercise

Module 3 Quiz30m

Week4

Week 4

3 hours to complete

Module 4: The Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

In this module, you’ll explore global geopolitical landscapes and the global powers of the 21st century. Through examination of different political regimes—from autocracies to democracies—you’ll discover effective roles for states to play in society and its economy. You’ll also learn about failed states and anocracies, two importance sources of instability in the world, and how such instabilities manifest frictions and conflicts in the form of war and terrorism. Through analyzing the evolution of political regimes and failed states, you’ll learn the definition of global powers, the difference between and hard and soft power resources, and whether emerging global powers will cause dramatic changes in the existing geopolitical power structure. By the end of this module, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the trajectories of global powers, and be able to assess how the changes in geopolitical power structure will affect your business and society.

3 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 82 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

11 videos

The Global Geopolitical Landscape2mPolitical Regimes8mGeopolitical Instability in the World4mViolent Conflict in the World5mThe State Under Pressure3mGood Governance & Institutional Quality6mThe Rise and Fall of Global Powers11mGlobal Power Resources12mChina's Role in the World9mGlobal Governance8mGlobal Tensions9m

4 readings

Week 4: Opinion Survey Questionnaire10mModule 4 - Lecture Slides10mGlobal Literacy Test10mSurvey for those who have completed the Specialization10m

1 practice exercise

Module 4 Quiz30m

Reviews

4.8

218 reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
14.51%
3 stars
2.41%
2 stars
0.23%
1 star
0.34%

TOP REVIEWS FROM GLOBAL TRENDS FOR BUSINESS AND SOCIETY

by NBMay 15, 2018

The course gives a good and critical overview of the biggest global trends of the last, and the coming decade. It solidified my knowledge about geo politics, and also learned a lot.

by ELDec 1, 2020

Professor Guillen was fantastic! Clear explanations and interesting presentation of topics. I learned a lot about a topic with which I was very unfamiliar.

by ADApr 19, 2018

The mobile version did not line up weekly with the desktop version. The course has tons of valuable information! I would have liked to have more additional reading suggestions from the instructor.

by JZApr 28, 2020

Very nice professor! He's competent and it's pleasure listening to him. Topics are easy to understand and commonly known but statistics make this course fascinating.

View all reviews

About the Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization

You’re not just interested in making money. You’re interested in making a difference in the world too. Set your career and your business on the road to success by learning evidence-based strategies to achieve sustainable social impact: profits with purpose. This specialization was designed to give you the tools and strategies you need to create measurable social impact around the world – whether your impact goal is to create jobs, to reduce malnutrition, or to increase access to environmentally-friendly and affordable housing, or to make a positive difference in some other way. In these four courses taught by acclaimed Wharton professors, you’ll learn how to apply effective business strategies to real-world problems through a deep understanding of the global practices and trends shaping the world today. By the end of this Specialization, you’ll be able to:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Global Trends for Business and Society

About this Course

Skills you will gain