25 Essential Business MOOCs For June

Globalization and You

School: University of Washington

Platform: Coursera

Start Date: June 24, 2014 (10 Weeks)

Workload: 2-3 Hours per Week

Instructor: Matthew Sparke

Credentials: Sparke teaches geography and international studies at the University of Washington, along with serving at its Director of Integrated Social Sciences. He has authored two books on globalization and the relationships between geography and culture. Sparke is also a recipient of the university’s Distinguished Teacher Award.

Graded: No certificates will be awarded for completing this course.

Description: Sparke’s course examines the social and economic impact of globalization, both on a macro and micro scale. In particular, this course focuses on the opportunities and risks inherent to global market integration and the tensions unleashed by uneven global development. In particular, students will learn how global market forces are re-shaping our assumptions about trade, labor, law, governance, and health. The course is heavily discussion-based, though content is also delivered by 10-12 minute video lectures and readings. Students are evaluated through quizzes and peer assessment assignments.

Review: None.

Additional Note: The course comes with three suggested readings.