How to Change the World

Wesleyan University

About this Course

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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.

Learner Career Outcomes

50%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 26 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

5/5 (5 Ratings)

Michael S. Roth

127,507 Learners

3 Courses

Learner Career Outcomes

50%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 26 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

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%(1,367 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

Recommended Readings1h

Week

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

7 videos

Extreme Poverty – Introduction23m

Varieties of Poverty and Development22m

Listening to the Poor to Find Out What Works24m

Multi-Pronged Effort: Private Enterprise, Government and Inclusive Growth24m

Systematic Efforts to Find Out What Works Best19m

Breaking out of Cycles of Suffering23m

Inclusive Economic Growth and a Global Movement to End Poverty24m

1 reading

Recommended Readings1h

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

Recommended Readings1h

Week

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

7 videos

Disease and Global Health – Introduction22m

Democracy, Health and Engagement20m

Major Health Challenges and Responses (1)27m

Major Health Challenges and Responses (2)31m

Testing our Work to Make it Most Effective25m

Care, Organization and Making a Real Difference38m

Motivating Change and Holistic Responses to Poverty25m

1 reading

Recommended Readings1h

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
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 purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, 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, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.

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How to Change the World