Most eras in history have a theme.
Today, we live in an era defined by what is known as globalization.
Some countries have embraced it.
Others may attempt to resist it or even opt out.
But oftentimes there is little or no choice.
No country is self-sufficient, and no country can insulate itself entirely.
This unit of World 101 global
era issues explores how our world is changing.
But before we dive in, it's important to understand what globalization actually is.
Globalization is characterized by the larger and faster flows of
just about everything from people and emails to viruses
and carbon dioxide across borders and around the world.
It affects virtually everything from the medicines we use to the movies
we watch, to the systems we depend on to keep goods and capital flowing.
One defining feature of the global era is record levels of migration.
World 101's Migration Module explains
why so many people are on the move and how they impact
the countries that host them as well as the places they leave behind.
The world we live in today is much healthier than the world of 50 years ago.
Life expectancy is up and child mortality is down.
But that hasn't led to a clean bill of health.
The Global Health Module asks questions like why are non-communicable diseases
like diabetes and cancer on the rise?
What lessons can be learned from the successful
containment of pandemics like HIV and AIDS?
And how can those lessons be applied to unknown threats like a zombie apocalypse?
One of the big unknowns of our time is how global efforts
to address climate change will play out.
The Climate Change Module covers the basics what's happening,
who's affected, and how we can mitigate this existential threat.
Nuclear weapons have been the source of intense global focus
since their use at the end of World War Two.
Their destructive nature has made containing these deadly weapons a top
priority.
The Nuclear Proliferation Module breaks down what a nuclear weapon is.
Why countries might or might not want them,
and what the challenges are to limiting their spread.
The terrorism module explores the ways in
which globalization shapes this persistent threat.
How do the Internet and social media make it easier
for terrorists to recruit and finance their groups?
And how do we reduce terrorism to a level that is not disruptive to a country's way
of life, to the safety of its citizens, and to its economic well-being?
Cyberspace is presenting new security challenges.
The Internet enables people around the world to share
ideas, to do business and to learn.
But it unlocks both opportunities and challenges.
World 101's Cyberspace and Cybersecurity
Module explores the different ways countries
around the world regulate, restrict and sometimes even weaponize cyberspace.
The explosion of international trade is one of the defining features
of globalization.
And like globalization, trade is not an opt in or opt out choice.
It's a reality with upsides and downsides.
The Trade Module explains what free trade is, how international supply
chains work, and what role trade plays in foreign policy.
The Monetary
Policy and Currencies Module explains what central banks do
and how basic economic principles like supply and demand affect exchange rates.
And it answers questions like just
how connected is the global economy? And why does the U.S.
dollar play such an important role around the world?
Finally, the International Development Module explains how a country develops,
why countries might want to help their neighbors develop,
and how approaches toward development have changed over the past 70 years.
These global era issues pose many challenges to the world as we know it.
Challenges that no single country can tackle on its own.
Political cooperation across countries is essential,
and so is understanding the facts.
After exploring this unit of World 101,
you'll be equipped with the basic information, perspectives and tools
you need to navigate and thrive in our quickly changing world.