GLO 222 - Geopolitical Brinkmanship: Great Decisions in Foreign Policy and Global Affairs

Description
This course is devoted to current geopolitical issues, such as global climate change, migration, human trafficking, epidemic disease, economic and military alliances, conflict and resolution, and war and terrorism, which are a part of the Great Decisions Lecture Series hosted by the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. Students engage in a critical assessment of US geopolitical strategies in the world today. Lectures delivered by distinguished professors, diplomats, journalists, policymakers, and former government officials provide a foundation for discussion of complex issues deeply affecting world affairs, society, and the environment. A study of leaders and leadership behaviors provides context for the examination of current geopolitical issues.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Pre-International Relations, A.A. (General Transfer)

Other Courses Where This Course is a Prerequisite: None
Other Courses Where this Course is a Corequisite: None
Other Courses Where This course is included in within the Description: None

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate an understanding of the interconnections between society and the environment in regions shaping current world affairs.
Employ critical thinking to analyze how the development and application of policies influence commerce, culture, environmental conditions, and diplomatic relations, which affect regions across the globe.
Understand the complexities of geopolitical problems facing the world today and the efforts in conflict resolution intended to ameliorate these problems.
Using analytical writing, demonstrate how systems thinking is employed to engage in problem solving related to global issues.
Describe how knowledge and learning from the academic study/field/discipline relates to one’s participation in civic life, politics, and government.
Discuss how communities, countries, or cultures differ in their values, politics, communication styles, beliefs and practices.
Identify ethical dilemmas associated with environmental, social, or cultural issues.
Understand that there are different perspectives on community, national, and international issues.

Course Outline:
PART ONE: LEADERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS ACROSS THE GLOBE

I. Leaders and Followers in a Dangerous World

A. Dictators and Their Disciples

B. Leadership and the Development of Conflicts

C. The 21st Century

II. The Geography of Global Political Issues

A. The Persistence of Colonialism

B. Environmental Issues

C. Disease

D. Trade

E. Conflict and Terror

III. The U.S. Abdicates its Moral Authority in World Affairs

A. “America First”

B. Nationalism

C. Authoritarianism

D. Disinformation

E. Sectarianism

F. Endless War

G. Xenophobia

PART TWO: GREAT DECISIONS LECTURES

The Foreign Policy Association determines 8 Great Decisions issues in September of each year, which are presented as the themes presented in the following Winter’s Great Decisions Lecture Series. These themes change from one year to the next. Each is examined in the following manner:

I. Lecture 1 (or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8)

A. The Nature of the Issue

B. The Character of the Region(s) (People and Environment) Identified by This Issue

C. U.S. Involvement

D. Conflict Resolution

PART THREE: EPILOGUE

I. Geopolitical Reflections

A. Resolving Problems

B. Conflict Resolution

C. Regaining Moral Authority

D. The Art of Peacemaking

E. Prospects for the Future

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture (and video viewing): 30-50%

Discussion Board: 30-50%

Writing, Review, and Response: 20-40%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course-Specific Placement Test:
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: N/A

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

GRCC Course Type:
Program Requirement: Meets the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 102487
Course CIP Code: 30.20
Maximum Course Enrollment:
Course Software Utilized: Canvas

School:
Department: Social Sciences
Discipline: PS
1st Catalog Year: 2026-2027
Name of Course Author:
Mike DeVivo

Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Other (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Master’s Degree in one of the Social Sciences disciplines (Geography, Political Science, Economics, Anthropology, History, and Sociology) or a related field, in addition to some demonstrated expertise in geopolitics.

Major Course Revisions: Title, Prefix, Course Number Change
Last Revision Date Effective: 20260224T09:16:09
Course Review & Revision Year: 2030-2031