HUM S53 - Passport To The World
Course Description
The Passport Series is a political science series covering world relations and political issues from around the world. *Note: On occasion, due to unforeseen circumstances, speakers and topics may change.
Course Outline
Passport Series I - SPRING Semester
April 3 NATO and The Quad the United States cannot have too many allies. Through NATO and The Quad, we have 34 allies committed to helping our country provide a military balance of power against Russia and China. But our participation in these organizations is expensive. However, if we were not allied
with these 34 countries, would Russia and China become more aggressive? Gary Midkiff will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being connected to these two organizations.
April 10 The War in Sudan the civil war in Sudan has received a fraction of the attention given to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. However, it threatens to be deadlier than either conflict. Some suggest Sudan will become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Join Glenbrook Academy director Matt Whipple to explore
the trajectory of Sudan from its independence in 1956, through the early 21st century genocide in Darfur, and how it has devolved into a terrible civil war with implications for the region and the world.
April 17 Navigating the Middle East: A Historical Perspective on Current Events and Global Affairs Join Oakton professor Toufic El Rassi to explore the historical context of recent political, economic and social developments in the Middle East, highlighting how past events shape the present and influence global dynamics. We will discuss key historical moments, longstanding regional conflicts and the evolution of political and economic systems to offer a comprehensive understanding of how history informs the current state of the region and its role in global affairs.
April 24 Robots + AI: Fiction, Fact, & Future Robots are fascinating machines that resemble living creatures, capable of moving independently, and performing complex actions. In art, media, and real life, for over a century, humans have imagined and created increasingly sophisticated robots. Now, with the advent of artificial general intelligence, we are on the cusp of truly sentient artificial beings. Will this help or hurt our civilization? And what will the robots think of us? Joseph Madda explores the amazing history and tantalizing future of robots.
May 1 The First 100 Days of the 48th President Dr. E.J. Fagan will discuss the policy accomplishments that the new president implemented during their first 100 days in office, including their executive orders, cabinet and appointees, and legislative agenda.
Passport Series I - SUMMER Semester
July 10 Looking Back at the 2024 Elections
Join Dr. William Adler, associate professor of political science at Northeastern Illinois University, as he examines the results of the 2024 elections. What happened, and why did candidates win or lose? What factors mattered the most? We will compare the election to historical ones to see similarities and
differences.
July 17 Student Insurgencies: From 1960s Mexico to 2020s Chile
Student activists have long held a unique social position. While education remains a form of privilege in both domestic and international contexts, students are vulnerable to social structures that precede their place in higher education. Researcher Liliana Lule will lecture on a significant example of student resistance—the Mexican Movement of 1968—and trace how this event reverberates into the present, particularly as it relates to Latin American social movements.
July 24 Major Decisions of the Supreme Court 2024-2025 Term
Join Julie Strauss, Ph.D., for an in-depth review of the major decisions handed down by the Supreme Court. We will examine cases pertaining to ghost guns and liability protection for gun manufacturers. We’ll also cover cases addressing a ban on sex-transition treatments for minors, environmental issues concerning nuclear waste and wastewater disposal, along with other major decisions. Don’t miss this recap of the court’s term.
July 31 The U.N.: An Obsolete Model in the Face of World Peace
Milton Arrieta-López will critically assess the United Nations as an outdated model for maintaining global peace. Is this traditional governance structure failing to address modern conflicts? He’ll assess the need for a reimagined approach that emphasizes the role of civil society, innovative mediation strategies and protection of the human right to peace and global justice.
August 7 The Political Crisis in Venezuela and its Impact on the U.S.
Peter Hudis will discuss the outcome of the contested election in Venezuela last year. This election has only deepened that country’s political, economic and social crisis. What will be its impact on the U.S. at a time when levels of immigration from Venezuela have already reached an all-time high?
August 14 Cryptocurrency and The Blockchain: Global Implications
For most people, the term “cryptocurrency” means one thing: bitcoin. While bitcoin may have a place in the future of commerce, there are many other types of cryptocurrencies that could soon have implications on the ways we use money. Mike Gershbein will explore the world of cryptocurrency, the blockchain technology behind these currencies, and how this global phenomenon can improve the speed, reach and capabilities of financial transactions.