Global Trends and Current Problems Natalia V. Kozykina, Ksenia G. Muratshina, Ural Federal University, chair of International Relations Theory and History

General Information Area: International Relations Specialization: International Relations And Foreign Policy Competency level: baccalaureate Number of class hours: total 34, lectures 18, practical classes 16, independent study hours and homework 74 Total credits: 3

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to have knowledge of: the sources and factors of the development of major problems facing modern civilization; the interrelation of global and regional factors; approaches of the global community to problem resolution; the mechanisms of international collaboration in resolving global issues;

develop competency in: applying the theoretical foundation of international research to the analysis of specific problems and situations; systems thinking, identifying and evaluating potential implications, risks and alternative solutions to problems or possible scenarios as a whole;

demonstrate skills and experience in: application analysis within topics studied as part of the course; developing recommendations and reasoned positions on the resolution of problems facing the global community on different levels.

Course sections Topic 1. Theoretical Aspects of Studying Contemporary Global Problems Topic 2. Political and Socio-Economic Problems in the Development of Modern Civilization Topic 3. Environmental Issues in the Modern World

Topic 4. Global Ethical Issues Topic 5. The Information Factor as a Problem for Humankind

Practical classes Roundtable Discussion: “The Issue Of The Global Dissemination Of Nationalist And Extremist Ideas” Roundtable Discussion: “Human Rights Violations in Contemporary International Conflicts” Seminar: “Analysis of Specific Environmental Issues on the Global and Regional Levels” Seminar: “The Problems of Building Global Environmental Awareness and Solutions to Global Environmental Problems” Roundtable Discussion: “Ethical Issues in the Modern World: The Global Aspect” Roundtable Discussion: “The Issues And Implications of the Development of Cutting-Edge Information Technologies and their Influence on Humanity” Roundtable Discussion: “The Development of New Types of Weapons as a Contemporary Global Issue”

Suggested list of questions for final assignment Main theoretical approaches to classifying global issues Globalization and the information society: a new stage of development Research techniques for global issues facing humankind Dissemination of extremist ideas as a global problem in the modern world Human rights violations in conflicts: the global dimension Major economic problems of the contemporary global community on a global level North–South relations Migration: the global dimension, main trends The issue of environmental security, its components and significance in the modern world The current state of air, water and land resources and environments. Humankind’s impact on the environment Climate change and the threats associated with attempts to manage climate Energy conservation and energy saving technologies, renewable resources and the rational use of natural resources on the agenda of the global civilization The problem of space pollution Global ethical issues Ethics in contemporary scientific research The Information Factor as a Problem for Humankind. Cyber threats in the modern world The problem of influence on mass consciousness The issue of personal space and data in the global information space

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