4.6
stars
229 ratings
•
69 reviews

Michael S. Roth

41,247 already enrolled

Offered By

How to Change the World

Wesleyan University

About this Course

13,207 recent views

How can we use the things we share in common to address some of the most challenging problems facing the world? This course examines issues concerning poverty, the environment, technology, health care, gender, education and activism to help us understand better how to initiate positive change.

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.

Beginner Level

Approx. 26 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

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.

Beginner Level

Approx. 26 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.66/5 (48 Ratings)

Michael S. Roth

149,454 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(1,832 ratings)

Week

Week 1

4 hours to complete

What are Social Goods? From the Commons to Moral Revolutions

Discussion about what our social good is, how we define it and how it can be sustainably used.

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 148 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

7 videos

Introduction: Social Good and Tragedy of the Commons21m

Genealogy of the Idea of Social Good23m

Reciprocity and Giving Back to the Commons19m

From Legitimate Communal Regulation to Pressures for Exploitation23m

Fisheries Forests and Sustainable Productivity22m

Cultures of Trust and Reinforcing the Commons by Practicing Cooperation21m

From Copyright to Communities of Cooperative Practice16m

1 reading

Week 2

5 hours to complete

Poverty and Development

Discussion about poverty and the relationship of poverty to philanthropy and to foreign aid, actions taken to mitigate the effects of poverty, of major theorists and economists working in this area and , also, a new approach to this subject through randomized experimentation.

5 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 165 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Week

Week 3

5 hours to complete

Climate Change and Sustainability

Discussion about political and economic ramifications of climate change, including how to think big about sustainability

5 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 196 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

9 videos

Climate Change and Sustainability23m

Global Challenges and Local Responses23m

Making a Difference and Varied Challenges17m

Grassroots Politics and Climate Change (1)22m

Politics and the Disruption of Ecosystems21m

Conversation with a Climate Economist on Risk Management21m

Risk, Assessment and Reducing Likelihood of Disaster16m

Conversation on Energy, Sustainability and Solution Science23m

Solution Science and What We Can Do26m

1 reading

Week 4

5 hours to complete

Disease and Global Health Care

Discussion about health care and poverty, considering major challenges that disease presents around the world and the global role of healthcare

5 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 191 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

Reviews

4.6

69 reviews

5 stars
78.26%
4 stars
13.04%
3 stars
4.78%
2 stars
1.73%
1 star
2.17%

TOP REVIEWS FROM HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD

by YCSep 6, 2017

Great experience that has changed my perspective of the world and my role in it. I would like to take this opportunity to thank professor Roth for taking on this course and offering it to everyone.

by ICAug 23, 2021

Makes you think critically about everyones role in changing the world with concrete actions. We should not take things for granted or think that it is someone else's responsibility.

by SANov 9, 2021

Lectures give one a good perspective on different issues. Some links mentioned in readings don't work. A good course to get a sense of major global challenges.

by VPSep 6, 2017

Honestly, my knowledge has broadened quite a lot on social issues face by various individuals today. I loved doing this course because its a real eye-opener.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

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How to Change the World

How to Change the World

About this Course