CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL ISSUES
(OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER)
This course presents students with the main concepts, theories, and methods of cultural
anthropology and sociology to shed light on issues that connect people around the world.
Throughout the course, we will examine popular assumptions about living in a global world,
exploring such questions as: How do we understand the vast variety of cultural practices around
the world? What does it mean to be part of a culture? What is globalization, and how does it
shape the way we define the authenticity of cultures? How does social inequality affect global
patterns of disease and violence? Should the world adopt universal standards of human rights, or
are human rights culturally specific? How do anthropologists study local cultures in an
increasingly global world? By revealing the socio-cultural roots of everyday behavior, this
course examines alternative ways of seeing and solving contemporary social problems.
The mission of the General Education Program at UW-La Crosse is to develop life-long learners
who will be engaged as knowledgeable and responsible citizens in a diverse and ever-changing
It is the University's vision that the core curriculum encourages students to
discover connections between disciplines
consider one's major in a broader context
cultivate knowledge, skills, and habits of mind essential for independent learning and
ANT/SOC 202, Contemporary Global Issues, fulfills a requirement for the International and
Multicultural Studies: Becoming World Citizens category of the General Education Program.
Knowledge about the variety of human experience is an integral part of liberal education.
Moreover, the international dimensions of politics, commerce, economics, and culture touch our
lives every day. We live in an interdependent world in which the understanding of other cultures
and societies is essential. The General Education courses in the International and Multicultural
Studies category include world history and global studies courses that focus on the peoples,
cultures, and societies of the world.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Define, describe, and explain terms, concepts, and theories related to cultural
2. Explain the rationales for cultural behaviors different from one’s own (UW-L General
Education Student Learning Outcome 5.3, Goal: Intercultural Knowledge and
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the forms and mechanisms of oppression,
discrimination, or privilege (UW-L General Education Student Learning Outcome 5.1,
Goal: Intercultural Knowledge and Competence).
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