UCOR Section Descriptions

Course Description

This course introduces students to the widespread challenge of achieving both environmental sustainability and social equity. We consider this challenge from a cross-cultural perspective by reading, discussing and assessing a wide variety of both international and local case studies drawn from history and the present day. In addition to reading and viewing case studies, students also engage in hands-on learning in the local community in order to better assess and address local sustainability issues.

Course Description

Anthropocene, or the era of the humans, and consequently climate change are the biggest threat to global biodiversity. However, biodiversity conservation policies are themselves products of social histories of colonization and social stratification. The course will enable students to adopt a critical analytical lens to learn about the challenges to our global environment, as well as understand how principles of social justice and equity can lead to a better future.

Course Description

This course examines migration and migration policies through the lenses of social science research and Catholic social teaching. In the present moment, many countries have adopted migration policies that are out of step with the realities of migration and the dignity of the human person. As you study these tensions and contradictions, you will devise research-based policy proposals and explore opportunities for meaningful action in both personal and political contexts.

Course Description

This course examines migration and migration policies through the lenses of social science research and Catholic social teaching.  In the present moment, many countries have adopted migration policies that are out of step with the realities of migration and the dignity of the human person.  As you study these tensions and contradictions, you will devise research-based policy proposals and explore opportunities for meaningful action in both personal and political contexts.

Course Description

Anthropocene, or the era of the humans, and consequently climate change are the biggest threat to global biodiversity. However, biodiversity conservation policies are themselves products of social histories of colonization and social stratification. The course will enable students to adopt a critical analytical lens to learn about the challenges to our global environment, as well as understand how principles of social justice and equity can lead to a better future.

Course Description

What lies at the heart of clashes between cultures and sub-cultures? In this course, we will explore the difficulties we face when communication and understanding between cultures break down and when our preconceptions diverge from fact. Frameworks from fields as diverse as cross-cultural management and non-violent communication will help us prepare for- and, hopefully, diffuse- cultural misunderstandings. For your major topic, you'll choose your own specific culture clash to examine in detail and address.

Course Description

This course examines migration and migration policies through the lenses of social science research and Catholic social teaching. In the present moment, many countries have adopted migration policies that are out of step with the realities of migration and the dignity of the human person. As you study these tensions and contradictions, you will devise research-based policy proposals and explore opportunities for meaningful action in both personal and political contexts.

Course Description

Anthropocene, or the era of the humans, and consequently climate change are the biggest threat to global biodiversity. However, biodiversity conservation policies are themselves products of social histories of colonization and social stratification. The course will enable students to adopt a critical analytical lens to learn about the challenges to our global environment, as well as understand how principles of social justice and equity can lead to a better future.

Course Description

As the global movement of people increases in the 21 century, how have we updated the concept of citizenship? By examining the theoretical frameworks of nationalism and cosmopolitanism, the impacts of globalization, and our own lived experiences, the course will explore emerging global citizenship orientations and its relevance in the United States

Course Description

As the world’s two most powerful and important players, the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China hold the key to collectively solving many of the global challenges we face in the 21st century. This course explores this most important and complex strategic relationship through an examination of the basic dynamics of strategic thinking and policy‐making in the U.S. and China and a theory‐informed analysis of key contemporary issues in the bilateral relations, including security, arms control, trade, human rights, energy, and the environment, from a variety of perspectives of International Relations and Foreign Policy Analysis. No prior background on China, U.S. foreign policy, or International Relations is assumed or required.