Overview of Course

“Think globally, act locally” extends well beyond environmental concerns. The policies, actions (or inactions), and development choices made at the local level have global significance. As the world continues to urbanize, local policy and management choices play a major role in global well-being. Understanding urban processes, problems, and policies is essential to improving quality of life. This course explores important urban issues from both a global and a comparative perspective. Semester at Sea offers students unique opportunities to see the diversity in urban problems that exist across the world. Students will gain unique first-hand perspective on the challenges associated with addressing the health, safety, and quality of life concerns emerging from the process of urbanization. Key urban problems considered in this course include global concerns such as climate change as well as country specific problems such as feral dogs, housing design, migrant populations, and natural disasters. This course will use readings, in-depth discussion, debate, and real-world case studies to examine major urban problems and work to identify creative local solutions to these wicked challenges.