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.
Discussion about what our social good is, how we define it and how it can be sustainably used.
What's included
7 videos1 reading1 peer review
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 148 minutes
Introduction: Social Good and Tragedy of the Commons•21 minutes
Genealogy of the Idea of Social Good•23 minutes
Reciprocity and Giving Back to the Commons•19 minutes
From Legitimate Communal Regulation to Pressures for Exploitation•23 minutes
Fisheries Forests and Sustainable Productivity•22 minutes
Cultures of Trust and Reinforcing the Commons by Practicing Cooperation•22 minutes
From Copyright to Communities of Cooperative Practice•16 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
Recommended Readings•60 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
What are social goods? What is the commons?•120 minutes
Poverty and Development
Module 2•6 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
7 videos1 reading1 peer review
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 165 minutes
Extreme Poverty – Introduction•24 minutes
Varieties of Poverty and Development•23 minutes
Listening to the Poor to Find Out What Works•25 minutes
Multi-Pronged Effort: Private Enterprise, Government and Inclusive Growth•25 minutes
Systematic Efforts to Find Out What Works Best•20 minutes
Breaking out of Cycles of Suffering•24 minutes
Inclusive Economic Growth and a Global Movement to End Poverty•25 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
Recommended Readings•60 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Poverty and Prosperity•120 minutes
Climate Change and Sustainability
Module 3•6 hours to complete
Module details
Discussion about political and economic ramifications of climate change, including how to think big about sustainability
What's included
9 videos1 reading1 peer review
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 196 minutes
Climate Change and Sustainability•23 minutes
Global Challenges and Local Responses•23 minutes
Making a Difference and Varied Challenges•18 minutes
Grassroots Politics and Climate Change (1)•23 minutes
Politics and the Disruption of Ecosystems•21 minutes
Conversation with a Climate Economist on Risk Management•21 minutes
Risk, Assessment and Reducing Likelihood of Disaster•17 minutes
Conversation on Energy, Sustainability and Solution Science•23 minutes
Solution Science and What We Can Do•26 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
Recommended Readings•60 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Climate Change and Sustainability•120 minutes
Disease and Global Health Care
Module 4•6 hours to complete
Module details
Discussion about health care and poverty, considering major challenges that disease presents around the world and the global role of healthcare
What's included
7 videos1 reading1 peer review
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 191 minutes
Disease and Global Health – Introduction•23 minutes
Democracy, Health and Engagement•20 minutes
Major Health Challenges and Responses (1)•28 minutes
Major Health Challenges and Responses (2)•32 minutes
Testing our Work to Make it Most Effective•25 minutes
Care, Organization and Making a Real Difference•39 minutes
Motivating Change and Holistic Responses to Poverty•25 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
Recommended Readings•60 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Global Disease and Health•120 minutes
Women, Education and Social Change
Module 5•6 hours to complete
Module details
Discussion of gender issues and the upward mobility of women, across business and education.
What's included
8 videos1 reading1 peer review
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 177 minutes
Introduction and Quiet Violence Against Girls and Women•20 minutes
Social Entrepreneurship and Gender Lens Investing•23 minutes
Education and Risk Taking•21 minutes
Education and Building Human Capacity•28 minutes
Malala and the Courage of Education (1)•21 minutes
Malala and the Courage of Education (2)•31 minutes
You Can Have Impact: Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn (Part 1)•16 minutes
How We Can Change the World: Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn•17 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
Recommended Readings•60 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Women, Education and Social Change•120 minutes
Looking Back, Looking Foward
Module 6•2 hours to complete
Module details
Reflections on where we have been and where we are going
What's included
2 videos1 peer review
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 48 minutes
Wesleyan Students Share Their Thoughts about Change•26 minutes
Listening to the Local and Practical Idealism•22 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Peer Review: Final Assignment•60 minutes
Instructor
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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.
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Learner reviews
4.7
279 reviews
5 stars
79.21%
4 stars
12.90%
3 stars
4.65%
2 stars
1.43%
1 star
1.79%
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D
DN
5·
Reviewed on Aug 14, 2016
An inspiring course. It brings me a view from social engagement point for building a better society :))
A
AA
4·
Reviewed on Jan 7, 2021
Sure, we need to change ourselves first before changing the world. However, do not desire perfection in either of them. They go with each other like a pair.
E
EL
5·
Reviewed on Nov 22, 2017
Loved it! I learned so much, really valuable information with incredible people. I feel very lucky to have has access to all of this material.
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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.
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.