Global Seminar (Waters)

 The Global Seminar offers a foundation for students' understanding of global citizenship. Through an examination of ongoing aspects of globalization students will gain an understanding of the larger forces at play in the 21st Century interconnected and interdependent world. Topics covered will include: the history of globalization, trade and economics, infectious disease, peacekeeping, human rights, technology, the environment and sustainability, and gender politics. Significant world events will be addressed as they occur, and students will be encouraged to hone their understanding of interconnected systems as they strive to understand current events within local and global contexts. Perspective taking, a sense of common humanity, a sense of individual and collective responsibility and a commitment to social justice and equity -all core values of global citizenship - will be explicitly addressed throughout the course.

Over the course of the year, students will learn and use essential skills that will help them be successful at St. Mark's and beyond. Students will acquire good habits of organization and daily preparation and develop proficiency in communication of their ideas in spoken, written, and electronic forms.  Students will learn the skills of researching and writing an analytic paper and the class will encourage students to take an active and collaborative role in their learning through individual and group projects.

Essential Questions

1. What does it mean to be a global citizen, and what are our responsibilities as individual members of a global community?
2. What role should the United States play in the global economy and in global governance?
3. What are the most pressing issues facing the globe as a whole right now and in the imminent future?  How should we act to address them?
4. How have technologies, ideas. and values facilitated both interconnectivity and isolation in local and global contexts?