PART II: An in-Depth Look at Today’s World Through History
A follow up to my original course: "Understanding Today's World Through History", here we delve deeper again into the specific nations, organizations, and issues shaping our world today.
What's included
10 live meetings
9 hrs 10 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. 1-2 per weekCertificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
This is a follow up course to my original: "Understanding Today's World Through History". It can be taken independently, but for students who don't already have a basic understanding of world events, I recommend beginning with Part I. This second course is designed for those inquisitive minds who now want to delve deeper again into the specific nations, organizations, and issues shaping our world today. Building on the foundational knowledge from our previous course, we will explore the roles and impacts of major global players, again through focused, interactive sessions. In this class, students will: 1. Examine Key International Organizations: Understand the roles and influences of organizations like NATO and the United Nations in global governance and security. 2. Analyze Major Nations’ Foreign Policies: Explore the foreign policies of countries such as the United States, China, and Russia, and how they shape global dynamics. 3. Investigate Regional Conflicts and Alliances: Delve into the complexities of regions such as the Middle East, the European Union, and the South China Sea, understanding historical and current alliances and conflicts. 4. Understand Global Economic and Environmental Issues: Learn about international trade, economic policies, and the global efforts to address climate change. My teaching approach remains engaging, interactive, and student-centered, with: 1. Focused Discussions: Each class will begin with a brief overview of the topic, followed by an in-depth discussion that encourages active participation, questions, and debates. 2. Multimedia Resources: I will continue to utilize a variety of resources, including news articles, documentaries, podcasts, and historical texts, to provide diverse perspectives and enrich learning. 3. Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios: We will engage in case studies and simulations to experience the complexities of world events firsthand, helping students apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. Students should come prepared to: 1. Engage Actively: Participation is great for getting to grips on these often complex topics, and I encourage my students to be ready to discuss, question, and challenge ideas. 2. Think Critically: Be open to different viewpoints and learn to analyze issues from multiple perspectives. By the end of this course, students will possess a more nuanced understanding of the key players and issues shaping today’s world.
Learning Goals
Students will gain a deeper understanding of how key international organizations like NATO and the United Nations function in global governance, security, and peacekeeping.Students will explore and critically analyze the foreign policies of major global players, including the United States, China, and Russia, understanding how these policies shape international relations and global dynamics.
Syllabus
10 Lessons
over 5 WeeksLesson 1:
The United States & Its Foreign Policy
Students will explore the United States’ foreign policy, its historical roots, and current strategies. The class will discuss the US’s role in global politics, major alliances, and recent international actions. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
The United Nations and Global Governance
This class will introduce students to the United Nations, its history, structure, and key functions. Students will learn about its role in promoting peace, security, and human rights around the world. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
NATO and Its Role in the World
This class will introduce students to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Students will learn about its history, member countries, key missions, and its role in maintaining global security today. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
The European Union: Unity and Challenges
Students will explore the European Union, its origins, key institutions, and the benefits and challenges of European integration. The class will also discuss recent issues such as Brexit and economic policies. 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
In this course, we continue to explore complex and sometimes distressing global events, with a focus on the roles and impacts of specific nations, organizations, and issues shaping our world today. Students will encounter content that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Global Power Dynamics and Conflict: Discussions and media content related to the foreign policies of major nations such as the United States, China, and Russia, including their involvement in global conflicts and power struggles. This may involve descriptions of military actions, geopolitical tensions, and the impact of these policies on global security. While discussions are handled sensitively and are age-appropriate, the serious nature of the content requires parental awareness.
2. International Organizations and Human Rights: Exploration of international organizations like the United Nations and NATO, which includes discussion on their roles in global governance, peacekeeping, and addressing human rights issues. This may involve sensitive topics such as war crimes, humanitarian interventions, and the challenges of protecting human rights in conflict zones.
3. Regional Conflicts and Alliances: In-depth analysis of regional conflicts and alliances, particularly in areas like the Middle East, the European Union, and the South China Sea. Content may include discussions on ongoing wars, historical conflicts, and the complex interplay of political, religious, and ethnic tensions, which may involve difficult topics such as violence, human suffering, and displacement.
4. Economic and Environmental Challenges: Discussions on global economic policies and environmental issues, including climate change and international trade. Students may encounter content related to the economic impact of geopolitical decisions, the consequences of environmental degradation, and international efforts to address these challenges. The material may include distressing depictions of economic hardship, ecological crises, and their effects on global populations.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
As with Part I, the following list of books is not exhaustive of the material that will be covered in this course but is intended to provide context and deeper insights into the themes we will explore.
While some of these books may be accessible to older students and can certainly enhance their understanding of the topics discussed, there is no expectation for students to read these materials.
Throughout the course, I will however, provide relevant and up-to-date resources, including YouTube clips and PDF newspaper articles from sources like The Economist and The Guardian.
These materials will be carefully selected to complement our discussions and are more likely to engage and appeal to students.
Core Historical and Geopolitical Sources:
These books provide foundational knowledge and context for the historical events and geopolitical dynamics covered in the course.
1. The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan
• Explores the historical trade routes that have shaped global history, critical for understanding the interconnectedness of world events.
2. The Cold War: A New History by John Lewis Gaddis
• An authoritative account of the Cold War, offering essential context for understanding modern geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
3. Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics by Tim Marshall
• Analyzes how geography influences global politics, relevant for understanding the geopolitical context of regions like the Middle East, East Asia, and more.
4. The Tragedy of Great Power Politics by John J. Mearsheimer
• Examines the power struggles between global powers, providing insights into current events like US-China relations and Russia’s actions on the world stage.
5. Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson
• Investigates the economic and political factors that lead to the success or failure of nations, relevant for discussions on global development and conflicts.
6. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire by Patrick N. Allitt (The Great Courses)
• Provides a historical overview of British imperialism, essential for understanding modern conflicts rooted in colonial history, particularly in Africa and the Middle East.
7. The Rise and Fall of Soviet Communism: A History of 20th-Century Russia by Gary Hamburg (The Great Courses)
• An in-depth exploration of Soviet history, crucial for understanding the current state of Russia and its influence on global affairs.
8. Understanding Russia: A Cultural History by Lynne Ann Hartnett (The Great Courses)
• Offers insights into Russian history and culture, providing context for modern Russia’s actions and its role in global politics.
9. The World for Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barter the Earth’s Resources by Javier Blas and Jack Farchy
• Explores global commodity trading, relevant to understanding the economic dimensions of geopolitical conflicts, especially in resource-rich regions like the Middle East and Africa.
10. The Story of India by Michael Wood
• A historical exploration of India, relevant for discussions on India’s current geopolitical role and its interactions with neighboring powers like China and Russia.
Contemporary Global Issues:
These books focus on modern global challenges and their historical roots, providing a deeper understanding of current world issues.
1. The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet by Michael E. Mann
• Discusses the global challenge of climate change and its geopolitical implications, which will be addressed in the course’s final session on climate and conflict.
2. Blood and Oil: Mohammed bin Salman’s Ruthless Quest for Global Power by Bradley Hope and Justin Scheck
• Provides an in-depth look at Saudi Arabia’s role in global geopolitics, particularly in the context of Middle Eastern conflicts and energy politics.
3. Asian Waters: The Struggle Over the South China Sea and the Strategy of Chinese Expansion by Humphrey Hawksley
• Focuses on the geopolitical significance of the South China Sea, crucial for understanding China’s rise and its impact on global power dynamics.
4. Russia Without Putin: Money, Power and the Myths of the New Cold War by Tony Wood
• Analyzes Russia’s political landscape beyond its leadership, offering insights into the broader societal and economic factors shaping the country’s global actions.
5. The Return of Great Power Rivalry: Democracy versus Autocracy from the Ancient World to the U.S. and China by Matthew Kroenig
• Explores the resurgence of competition between major powers, particularly the US and China, relevant to understanding current global tensions.
Supplementary Resources:
These additional sources provide broader context or focus on specific issues that may enhance understanding of the topics covered in the course.
1. Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist by Kate Raworth
• Offers a modern economic perspective that challenges traditional views, relevant for discussions on global economic systems and their impacts on geopolitics.
2. How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney and Angela Y. Davis
• Critically examines the impact of European colonialism on Africa, providing context for contemporary conflicts and development issues in the region.
3. The Man Who Created the Middle East: A Story of Empire, Conflict and the Sykes-Picot Agreement by Christopher Simon Sykes
• Explores the historical roots of modern Middle Eastern borders and conflicts, relevant for understanding the region’s ongoing instability.
4. Shadowplay: Behind the Lines and Under Fire by Tim Marshall
• Offers firsthand accounts of global conflicts, adding a personal perspective to the geopolitical issues discussed in the course.
5. Border Wars: The Conflicts That Will Define Our Future by Klaus Dodds
• Analyzes emerging border conflicts and their potential to shape future global politics, relevant for understanding modern territorial disputes.
Joined August, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
I hold a master’s degree in history and have previously taught at high school level, where I developed a deep appreciation for engaging young minds with the stories of our past.
For the last eight years, I have then also homeschooled my own children, which has given me valuable insights into personalized and flexible teaching methods.
I also have a deep interest in current world events and have read extensively in this area over more than two decades. Reviews
Live Group Course
$40
weekly or $200 for 10 classes2x per week, 5 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-10 learners per class
