Isolationism, colonialism, regionalism and imperialism are all geographically inspired political ideas. They are examples of different ways of thinking about how the world has been, or is, divided politically. Human geography can make sense of why the world has been divided politically in the past and how it is divided politically today.

Explore how education in countries around the world develops global citizens by imparting a combination of identity, knowledge, skills, and action—both explicitly and implicitly—to engender concern for making the world a better place. Examine curricula designed to focus on global citizenry, including the International Baccalaureate and instruction created by Oxfam..

In 2010, Mary and Corin Katzke sold everything and left Anchorage with two backpacks, two knapsacks and a suitcase full of books. They had one-way tickets to Ireland and a wish list in hand, but no further itinerary. They continued heading East for the entire school year, covering three continents: Europe, Africa and Asia. In the course of their travels, they visited 28 countries and used nearly every form of transportation invented. They stayed with...

A lyrical exploration of a Brooklyn couple as they navigate their path amidst rapidly changing political, social, financial and spiritual landscapes. Walter Baker is an eccentric, multi-instrumentalist struggling to maintain balance between creating art, making ends meet and raising his twelve year old son with his third wife, a poet. Artistically and philosophically situated on the fringes of mainstream culture, Baker grasps to bear the roles of...

A Dog’s Life: A Dogamentary is a quirky yet poignant documentary about the positive effects of the intense bond between dogs and humans, as told through the story of Emmy-winning television producer Gayle Kirschenbaum and her dog Chelsea. Using humor and pathos, this film explores Chelsea's role in her owner's life, and how it expanded when Chelsea was certified as a therapy dog after the horror of 9/11. It's a story of seeking love – and finding...

The True Meaning of Pictures is a feature length documentary which addresses the issue of representation in documentary photography by examining the work of American photographer Shelby Lee Adams.. More specifically, the film seeks to (i) spend time with the subjects of Adam's work, in order to get to know them better and (ii) address the controversy and response Adams' photographs generate, which involves the politics of representation. Both strands...

An award-winning film exploring coming of age in the face of faith, doubt, fierce competition, and first love. High-school senior, Mikayla Irle, memorizes books of the Bible on her quest to win the National Bible Quiz Championship and the heart of her crush and Bible Quiz team captain JP O’Connor.. In order to succeed, they must compete against thousands of other teens across the US, including their biggest rival, Cedar Park. She hopes that if she...

Look at the “insider” versus the “outsider” in national education systems such as Saudi Arabia to see how education bridges political citizenship, academic performance, and economic productivity. Examine how education is a means for producing citizens who reflect the desired image of a nation’s population and its government..

Do the achievement rankings paint an accurate picture of what’s happening in schools, or is the crisis politically manufactured? Get answers as you analyze common criticisms of national education systems through the lens of three recurring phenomena—achievement envy, the accountability expectation, and access entitlement—and look at approaches to shifting school culture..

Which is more important—gaining knowledge or new skills? Is standardized testing the best measure of what someone knows? What is the purpose of going to school—to prepare for college or a career? Address such questions as you probe Americans’ views on education and how it can be improved using internationally comparable information..