This course will explore the interrelated nature of global challenges and analyse the factors that shape challenges today including socio-economic, socio-political, health, climate and development challenges broadly speaking. To do so, it brings together students from different disciplinary backgrounds and from across divisions to both explore these challenges in an interdisciplinary way but critically, to suggest tangible actions that could help frame the responses of policymakers and NGO partners working in Global Development.

1 x 1 hr lecture and 1 x 1 hr seminar/ workshop each week.

None

Group presentation (15 mins) 15% and joint policy brief - 2500 words 15%

Critical reflection on learning - 2500 words 70%

What do we mean by global challenges? And why is understanding the global dimension important to try and meet some of the major challenges faced by governments, institutions, and societies today. In essence, what makes something a global challenge? How are global challenges addressed? And what is lacking from current responses? The aims of the course are to introduce students to debates around key global challenges, and to collaborate across different disciplines to identify possible solutions to these complex issues.    

In this course, we bring together students from across the School of Social and Political Sciences to explore some of the biggest contemporary challenges facing lives and livelihoods across the globe. The course is built around thematic 'challenge' areas that are both distinct and interrelated. Working with peers and experts from across the University of Glasgow allows students to share ideas and benefit from exposure to different disciplinary approaches.  This will create an environment where diverse perspectives converge to shape the new knowledge and understandings that are essential to influence policy and practice in relation to these and other key global challenges.    

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Identify the factors shaping complex global challenges using interdisciplinary perspectives and evidence-based reasoning.   

2. Examine specific challenges and the innovative and context-appropriate options to address them.    

3. Demonstrate original, critical thinking and reflective judgment in the analysis of global issues through a range of methodological approaches.   

4. Synthesise and disseminate information in a clear and confident manner to 'non-academic' audiences.   

5. Collaborate effectively with different disciplines and areas of expertise to explore and co-create responses to real-world problems.   

6. Reflect critically on the process of interdisciplinary learning and its value to address global challenges.