4.0

credits

Average Course Rating

The purpose of the course is to provoke debate on the state of the world. Issues discussed range from current or potential international crises (for example, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or the state of US-China relations), to broader problems, such as nuclear proliferation or climate change. The course aims at improving the students’ ability to analyze these issues, to go “behind the headlines,” to debate them in public. The course does not offer in-depth training in debating or public speaking, but does allow students to acquire practical skills and experience in those areas; in other words, to “learn by doing.” The course consists of formal, public, four-person debates based on some of the topics listed below, and others suggested by the class. Students submit their preferences and are grouped together at the beginning of the semester. Each debate lasts one class session, plus a period of general discussion. The course includes ten regular debates and two crisis simulations.