In this course, students learn best practices for thinking critically. Students develop intellectual virtues of thoughtfulness, reflection, and perceptiveness, and learn proven skills for detecting falsehoods and unsound arguments. Students also learn to weigh the credibility of various sources of information and to analyze and reflectively interpret their own judgments and intuitions. These traits, skills, and practices will help students be responsible citizens, perceptive thinkers, and virtuous leaders.

This course addresses how to use creative thinking methods to solve problems. The course starts with a discussion of creativity and the process of thinking creatively to solve problems. Next, students learn various methods to spur novel and innovative ideas, and then they learn to select the most promising solutions from those they’ve generated. Finally, they consider how biases can impede the creative thinking process and consider ways to overcome bias to solve problems more effectively.

This course helps students to develop the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to become leaders in a global society. Students develop cultural competence and empathy, which includes the ability to effectively interact, work, and solve problems with people of various cultural backgrounds. Students will identify the characteristics of global society and the challenges and opportunities created by an increasingly interdependent world with rapid digital transformation. They will recognize and respect diversity, identify and evaluate diverse perspectives on complex subjects, and analyze complex global issues while evaluating potential solutions.

This course discusses the value and interrelation of curiosity, interests, and self-directed learning. We consider each of the components of this triad independently and then in combination as a part of the project of developing the highest and best version of the individual self. We begin by examining the role of curiosity and subsequently consider how to foster it. Then, we turn to identifying and developing interests through curiosity.  Students will deeply analyze a variety of proven learning strategies that can be used to explore new interests. We will also explore the efficacy of AI as a self-directed learning tool. This course teaches the importance of lifelong growth and development of the individual. 

This course addresses how to use data analysis and storytelling techniques to interpret data to create strong arguments. The course starts with a review of data analysis approaches and fundamental statistics. Next, students use visualizations and dashboards to illustrate how data can be used to influence stakeholders. Finally, students demonstrate their learning by way of a scenario-based project, where they use data visualizations and persuasive storytelling techniques to influence authentic real-world decisions.

This course analyzes major approaches to judgment and decision-making. The course starts with a discussion of basic distinctions among the major approaches, and then considers how judgments and decisions might be flawed due to common cognitive biases. Next, the course explores how human beings make choices using real-world case examples. Finally, the course concludes with an evaluation of moral judgment and decision-making, and an analysis of the importance of understanding judgment and decision-making for our lives. Throughout the course, students apply theoretical concepts to real world situations during active learning exercises.

This course helps students develop crucial communication skills necessary to thrive in a technologically advanced and intercultural global community. Students focus on building their own skills in written and oral communication. Students will develop writing skills for academic and professional settings and persuasive strategies to communicate effectively in a range of contexts. Students also analyze and develop interpersonal communication skills integral to working in a global digital community.  

This course discusses why and how complex modern societies require leaders who can adapt themselves and their organizations to respond to changing circumstances. We consider the personal and organizational leadership skills that are required to make these changes which demand constant, critical self- and organizational analysis. We analyze the ability to identify personal and organizational problems, to respond preemptively, and to foster teamwork. Additionally, the course discusses why and how individuals must cultivate within themselves and their organizations an understanding of core values, strengths and weaknesses, an awareness of and expertise in interpersonal relations (including conflict resolution, negotiation, and collaborative decision-making skills), basic change principles, and an understanding of cross-cultural leadership traits.   

This course helps students identify, analyze, and engage with the social systems and structures at play in the world. They learn important concepts from sociology and social psychology, and then apply those to the global community. They learn about the roles that people play within these systems and the ways that individuals from differing systems can relate through shared values. Students learn about their own roles within these systems, and how their identities may be affected by them. Students use empathy to recognize how these systems affect those with different social roles or in different social structures. Finally, they investigate challenges that arise within social structures and learn to develop and apply solutions for addressing and mitigating those challenges. 

This course helps students learn how to apply scientific concepts to global sustainability challenges. Students are introduced to the idea of sustainability and apply their understanding by examining and evaluating the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Over the course of the semester, students delve into each of the areas outlined by the UN’s SDGs. In doing so, they utilize ideas from many scientific, social science, and liberal arts fields including biology, chemistry, ecology, environmental science, technology, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. They apply theories from each of these domains to analyze the UN’s sustainability efforts and cultivate their own novel approaches.