SACRUN DeCal - Spring 2007
Sponsored by the Peace and Conflict Studies Department of UC Berkeley
Global Ills & Dilemmas of the United Nations
Course Overview
This course investigates the various global issues plaguing our world today (i.e. violations of human rights, environmental degradation, weapons of mass destruction, poverty, etc.), and the ways in which NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) and the United Nations work towards alleviating these problems. We will also discuss the tools used to deal with global issues, including, but not limited to, international law, world health and global governance. We would like to promote awareness of global problems, as well as facilitate a discussion of how the UN (as our only current form of global regulation) may be reformed in order to increase efficiency and success in addressing global issues.
Course Requirements
The course will meet once a week for 90 minutes. There will be a mix of discussion and guest speakers, whose expertise will range from development projects to international law to dealing with international conflicts. There will be short readings provided which are designed to compliment the topic the speakers will cover. Participation is of utmost importance. More than one unexcused absence will result in a NP for the course. In order to get a passing grade it is important to participate, to be involved in the discussion, to ask questions and have insightful comments. Extra credit will be given to those who bring in outside articles, books, or media sources that foster and add to the discussion.
At the end of the course, you will
have gained a greater understanding of the international arena. You will have
a firm grasp on how the United Nations operates and its history, current global
issues, what action is being taken to address said issues, and how you can get
involved.
2006 SACRUN. All rights reserved.