4.6
stars
238 ratings

Michael S. Roth

42,463 already enrolled

Offered By

How to Change the World

Wesleyan University

About this Course

7,989 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

4.67/5 (49 Ratings)

Michael S. Roth

156,691 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%(1,904 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

71 reviews

5 stars
77.68%
4 stars
12.80%
3 stars
5.37%
2 stars
1.65%
1 star
2.47%

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 JWJan 14, 2018

What a meaningful course. It changed my view, showed me that even though it may be small changes that it makes a difference.

by AZFeb 20, 2019

Very well presented. Excellent content. Practical. I learned a lot.

by ELNov 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.

View all reviews

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. 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.

How to Change the World

How to Change the World

About this Course