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How to Change the World

Michael S. Roth

Michael S. Roth

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.

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What's inside

Syllabus

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.

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores social goods and moral revolutions, providing a comprehensive understanding of societal issues

Examines poverty and development, highlighting effective strategies and approaches

Analyzes climate change and sustainability, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions

Discusses disease and global health care, exploring challenges and advancements in healthcare systems

Investigates gender issues and women's empowerment, promoting inclusive and equitable societies

Taught by Michael S. Roth, a renowned educator and scholar in the field

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Reviews summary

Broad introduction to global issues

According to learners, this course provides a broad and comprehensive look at major global challenges including poverty, climate change, global health, and gender equality. Many found the content inspiring and thought-provoking, appreciating the insightful lectures and the course's overall structure. It is widely regarded as an excellent starting point for understanding complex issues and different approaches to creating positive change. However, some reviewers felt the course sometimes lacked depth and was too theoretical, desiring more practical strategies. The required readings were also noted as being extensive. Despite these points, the experience is described as largely positive, especially for those seeking a foundational overview.

Required readings are substantial.

"The readings were extensive, which is good, but sometimes overwhelming."

"The readings were heavy."

"The lectures were insightful, and the readings were thought-provoking."

Generally well-received presentations.

"The lectures were insightful, and the readings were thought-provoking."

"The instructors did a great job explaining difficult concepts."

"The material is presented clearly, and the instructors are passionate."

"the lectures were engaging."

Motivates and changes perspective.

"This course was truly inspiring!"

"I feel much more informed and motivated now. It's a great starting point."

"Inspiring and well-structured course. It broadened my understanding of global challenges..."

"Fantastic course! ...It changed the way I think about my role in creating positive change."

"An eye-opening experience! ...inspired me to get involved."

Covers many global issues well.

"This course was truly inspiring! It provided a comprehensive look at global challenges..."

"A solid introduction to complex global issues. The breadth of topics covered... is impressive..."

"Good overview of major global issues. The content is relevant and timely. I liked the structure..."

"Found this course quite useful for expanding my perspective on global issues. The diversity of topics was a strength."

Some find it too high-level.

"...sometimes the depth feels a bit lacking, especially in the technology section."

"I was hoping for more concrete 'how-to' information rather than mostly theoretical discussion."

"Disappointing. While the topics are important, the course felt superficial. It touched on many issues but didn't go deep enough..."

"However, if you are looking for practical strategies or in-depth analysis of specific solutions, this course may not meet your needs."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Change the World with these activities:

Watch a documentary about social justice

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This will help you to better understand social justice issues and challenges.

Browse courses on Social Justice

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Choose a documentary to watch
Watch the documentary
Write a summary of the documentary

Read Hidden Figures

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Get an emotional connection to the struggle to learn science and math that women of this era and women of color still face today.

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Read Chapter 1
Read Chapter 2
Read Chapter 3
Finish reading the book

Practice solving social justice problems

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This will reinforce learning in social justice.

Browse courses on Social Justice

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Identify a social justice problem
Analyze the problem
Develop a solution to the problem

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Attend a social justice event

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This will help you to connect with people and learn about different perspectives on social justice.

Browse courses on Social Justice

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Find a social justice event to attend
Attend the event
Talk to people about social justice

Write a blog post about a social issue

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Creating content about a social issue will reinforce learning from the 'Women, Education, and Social Change' module.

Browse courses on Social Justice

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Choose a topic
Research the topic
Write the blog post
Publish the blog post

Participate in a social justice workshop

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This will help you learn about social justice issues and develop skills to make a difference.

Browse courses on Social Justice

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Participate in the workshop
Find a social justice workshop to attend
Apply what you learned in the workshop

Design a social impact campaign

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This will enhance learning in the 'Women, Education, and Social Change' module.

Browse courses on Social Justice

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Identify a social issue
Research the issue
Develop a campaign plan
Design the campaign materials
Implement the campaign

Create a social justice campaign.

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This will solidify skills learned in the 'Women, Education, and Social Change' module.

Browse courses on Social Justice

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Identify a social issue that you are passionate about
Research the issue
Develop a plan for your campaign
Implement your campaign
Evaluate the impact of your campaign

Career center

Learners who complete How to Change the World will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Community Organizer

Community Organizers help communities tackle tough issues such as poverty, health care, and education. This course will help you understand the challenges facing communities and develop the skills needed to create positive change. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex issues facing communities and develop the skills needed to be an effective Community Organizer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies to help inform decision-making. This course will help you develop the skills needed to understand and evaluate public policy. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex issues facing society and develop the skills needed to be an effective Policy Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. This course will help you develop the skills needed to manage a nonprofit organization. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the challenges facing nonprofits and develop the skills needed to be an effective Nonprofit Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Social Worker

Social Workers help people overcome social and economic challenges. This course will help you develop the skills needed to work with people from diverse backgrounds and help them achieve their goals. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the challenges facing people from diverse backgrounds and develop the skills needed to be an effective Social Worker.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. This course will help you develop the skills needed to teach effectively. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the challenges facing students and develop the skills needed to be an effective Teacher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and report on news stories. This course will help you develop the skills needed to gather and report on news stories. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex issues facing society and develop the skills needed to be an effective Journalist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters and represent them in court. This course will help you develop the skills needed to understand and apply the law. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex legal issues facing society and develop the skills needed to be an effective Lawyer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Doctor

Doctors diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. This course will help you develop the skills needed to understand and treat medical conditions. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex health issues facing society and develop the skills needed to be an effective Doctor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Doctor

Engineer

Engineers design and build structures, machines, and systems. This course will help you develop the skills needed to understand and apply engineering principles. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex technical issues facing society and develop the skills needed to be an effective Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help businesses improve their operations. This course will help you develop the skills needed to analyze business processes and make recommendations for improvement. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex business issues facing organizations and develop the skills needed to be an effective Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects. This course will help you develop the skills needed to manage projects effectively. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex challenges facing projects and develop the skills needed to be an effective Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data. This course will help you develop the skills needed to understand and use data to solve problems. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex data issues facing organizations and develop the skills needed to be an effective Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course will help you develop the skills needed to understand and build software systems. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex software issues facing organizations and develop the skills needed to be an effective Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. This course will help you develop the skills needed to understand and build websites. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex web development issues facing organizations and develop the skills needed to be an effective Web Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course will help you develop the skills needed to understand and create visual concepts. The course covers topics such as poverty, climate change, health care, gender, education, and activism. This will help you understand the complex visual communication issues facing organizations and develop the skills needed to be an effective Graphic Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Change the World.

Cover image

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A New Foreign Policy

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the causes and consequences of poverty, and offers a set of policy recommendations for addressing it. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.

A New Foreign Policy: Beyond American Exceptionalism

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Supercommunicators

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Explains how habits work and how to change them, which is relevant to the course's focus on initiating positive change.

Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret...

Charles Duhigg 3 Books Collection Set...

(Deutsch) Supercommunicators: Wie man die geheime Sprache...

(Español) Supercomunicadores [Supercommunicators]: Cómo...

Audible Audiobook

(Português) Supercomunicadores [Supercommunicators]: Como...

Audible Audiobook

Cover image

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Explores the two systems of thinking: System 1, which is fast, intuitive, and emotional; and System 2, which is slow, deliberate, and rational. Understanding these systems can help us make better decisions.

Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment

(Español) Ruido: Un fallo en el juicio humano / Noise: A Flaw...

(Français) Noise: Pourquoi nous faisons des erreurs de...

By Daniel Kahneman Best Seller 2 Boks collection...

(Deutsch) Noise (German edition): Was unsere Entscheidungen...

Audible Audiobook

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Environmental Protection

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Provides a clear and concise overview of the economics of climate change. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.

Environmental Protection: Law and Policy [Connected...

Environmental Protection: Law and Policy (Aspen...

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Unstoppable Us, Volume 2: Why the World Isn't Fair

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Provides a comprehensive overview of human history, from the Stone Age to the present day. It offers insights into the nature of our species and the challenges we face.

Unstoppable Us, Volume 2: Why the World Isn't Fair

(Español) Por qué el mundo es injusto [Why the World Isn’t...

Audible Audiobook

Unstoppable Us, Volume 2: Why the World Isn't Fair

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of women's rights and empowerment. It valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this topic.

Good Wives: Image and Reality in the Lives of Women...

Good Wives: Image and Reality in the Lives of Women...

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The Anxious Generation

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Explores the moral psychology of liberals and conservatives, and how our moral intuitions shape our political views.

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of...

Jonathan Haidt Collection 4 Books Set (The Anxious...

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of...

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Poverty, by America

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Provides an in-depth look at poverty in America, focusing on the experiences of eight families in Milwaukee.

Poverty, by America

Matthew Desmond Bestselling 2 Books Set - Evicted:...

(中文) Poverty by America (Chinese Edition)

Poverty, by America

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Provides a comprehensive overview of climate change solutions. It offers a detailed plan for how we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable future.

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The Sixth Extinction (10th Anniversary Edition)

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Explores the current mass extinction event, and the ways in which humans are contributing to it. It offers a stark warning about the consequences of our actions.

The Sixth Extinction (Tenth Anniversary Edition)

Audible Audiobook

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Level

Introductory

Via

Coursera

Institution

Wesleyan University

Instructor

Michael S. Roth

Language

English

Transcripts

Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова magyar nyelv Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша اُردُو, فارسی বাংলা tiếng Việt پښتو آذربایجان دیلی

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores social goods and moral revolutions, providing a comprehensive understanding of societal issues

Examines poverty and development, highlighting effective strategies and approaches

Analyzes climate change and sustainability, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions

Discusses disease and global health care, exploring challenges and advancements in healthcare systems

Investigates gender issues and women's empowerment, promoting inclusive and equitable societies

Taught by Michael S. Roth, a renowned educator and scholar in the field

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