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Current Affairs

  • Taught by Leading Journalists, Historians, and Authors
  • Focuses on Issues Behind Today&rsquos News
  • Provides a Stimulating Environment for Discussion

If you are interested in current events, these courses will allow you to gain an in-depth and more contextualized understanding of today’s critical issues. This includes historic background, when appropriate, as well as an analysis of the actors and stakeholders affecting outcomes. Join your contemporaries for lively discussion and intellectual stimulation. 

This semester, study in-person or from anywhere in the world from the safety and comfort of your home through online or remote instruction.

Human Rights and Development

A rights-based approach to development has become increasingly central in explaining and addressing the underlying issues related to economic,...

2025 Summer
1 section

Power, People, Politics: Core Themes in Social and Political Thought Brought to Bear On Contemporary Issues

This probing, conversational class will address three key sociological and political concepts; Power, People and Politics. From a sociological...

2025 Spring
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

Summer at CGA: Cybersecurity Politics, Policy and Practice

Apply for this Summer 2025 course here. Are you thinking about grad school? Perhaps considering an impactful career in the cyber arena?...

2025 Summer
1 section

A Holistic Look at Iran: Economics, Religion, Politics, and More

Take a holistic look at the various aspects of Iran: environment, ethnolinguistic composition, religious proclivities, economics, and politics.

2025 Spring
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

The Crisis of Security: Global Politics from the End of the Cold War to the Present

In 1991 the world witnessed the triumph of Liberal Democracy with the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. This was the Age of...

2025 Spring
1 section

Critical Issues and Careers in Global Affairs

Apply for this Summer 2025 course here. Thinking about grad school? Considering an impactful career in the global arena? Spend two weeks...

2025 Summer
1 section

Espionage: Fact vs. Fiction

Taught by a veteran intelligence professional, this course separates myth from reality in the field of espionage.

2025 Spring
1 section

Politics and Leadership in a Changing Middle East

This course will look at the historical and ideological legacies that influence politics and leadership in the Middle East. It will cover the...

2025 Spring
1 section

The Global Economy and Financial Markets: Making Sense of News Headlines

Deciphering economic and financial terminology can be challenging but is critical to understanding how the global markets work. This course gets...

2025 Spring
1 section

America in the World: Is the US Constitution in Crisis?

Explore how studying other democracies can shed light on the troubled present—and possible future—of American politics and government.

2025 Spring
+ 1 more semester
2 sections

Global Health and Development

The world has made immense strides in improving health outcomes and increasing life-expectancy over the past century in large part due to...

2025 Spring
1 section

International Development

Explore the main elements of country development—from economic, political, social, cultural, and environmental perspectives.

International Relations

Gain an in-depth understanding of the post-Cold War world order and the Cold War’s impact on current geopolitical and economic landscapes.

Understanding Espionage and Intelligence

Intelligence is perhaps the least understood function of the U.S. government. This course examines the role of the espionage and intelligence in...

An Election of Consequence: Campaign 2024

The course will conduct a weekly deep dive in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. presidential and congressional elections, that some call the most...

China and America: A Global Power Struggle

Explore the competition between the US and China, from trade tensions to Beijing's censorship of Hollywood films to the battle for tech dominance.

Disaster Preparedness and Humanitarian Assistance

In order to achieve the key UN Sustainable Development goals of "No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Wellbeing, Gender Equality, Clean...

The United States: The World's Liberal Hegemon, But Why?

The United States is seen by its friends and enemies as the world’s liberal hegemon, the "cop." But why the United States? What...

Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction

This course will examine the economic challenges developing countries face and explore strategies to deal with them. The course will begin...