Seeking a way to better understand international events? Consider enrolling in GOVT 1817 Making Sense of World Politics offered twice during Summer Session this year. Dr. Chip Gagnon teaches the course synchronously June 24-July 12 and asynchronously July July 15 - August 2. Both three-credit sessions will examine ways to think critically about global politics and develop informed ways of discussing them. The courses are open to undergraduates and adults though Summer Session and high school students through Precollege Studies.

Cornell’s School of Continuing Education (Cornell SCE) recently asked Gagnon, the Regional Scholar for the Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at Cornell, what students can expect from taking his course.

”This is a really great time to be studying international politics,” Gagnon said. “While the focus is not current events, the course gives students the tools to understand current events. We obviously will discuss some current events, but the main goal is to provide students with the skills and theoretical knowledge to think critically about them.”

What inspired you to teach “Making Sense of World Politics” during Summer Session?

 I started offering this course in Cornell's Summer Session in 2014.  It's basically an introduction to international relations, a course I offer during the regular school year, and one I really enjoy teaching. I like introducing students to the range of issues and ways of thinking about the international system and turning them on to international politics. 

 What are some of the things you enjoy about teaching about this course?

[The students that come through Cornell’s Precollege Program] are really enjoyable—they’re really smart, highly motivated and very engaged with the topics. The in-class discussions are great, too. In the asynchronous online version of the course [offered this year], I'm really pleased with the conversations that happen in the discussion boards where students actively interact with one another by asking questions and discussing topics.

When my students’ interests and curiosity are ignited in any class I teach, it fuels my passion for teaching. That excitement is contagious and really makes the class a great experience for students, and for me, too! 

What do you hope your students come away with by the end of the course?

My hope is that students gain the ability to think about the world in different ways—the ability to question...

[Read the rest at SCE News]