UCOR Section Descriptions

Browse UCOR section descriptions and explore Seattle University's academic writing seminars, course offerings, and faculty for upcoming terms.

UCOR 3600-02 Biodiversity and Anthropocene

Course Type:

UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges

Faculty:

Chaudhuri, Tapoja

Term:

Spring

Year:

2025

Module:

Module III

Course Description

Anthropocene, or the era of the humans, and consequently climate change are the biggest threat to global biodiversity. However, biodiversity conservation policies are themselves products of social histories of colonization and social stratification. The course will enable students to adopt a critical analytical lens to learn about the challenges to our global environment, as well as understand how principles of social justice and equity can lead to a better future.

UCOR 3600-02 Global Economic Challenges

Course Type:

UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges

Faculty:

Li, Yitan

Term:

Summer

Year:

2025

Module:

Module III

Course Description

What are the main global economic challenges we are facing today? This course addresses theories and issues of international political economy. By examining problems such as international trade, production, debt, aid, development, the role of the state, multinational corporations, international institutions, regionalism, and the process and impact of globalization, the course aims to help students understand the main global economic challenges, especially how these challenges could influence international justice.

UCOR 3600-02 Global Migration/Human Dignity

Course Type:

UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges

Faculty:

Spencer, Heath

Term:

Fall

Year:

2024

Module:

Module III

Course Description

This course examines migration and migration policies through the lenses of social science research and Catholic social teaching.  In the present moment, many countries have adopted migration policies that are out of step with the realities of migration and the dignity of the human person.  As you study these tensions and contradictions, you will devise research-based policy proposals and explore opportunities for meaningful action in both personal and political contexts.

UCOR 3600-03 Biodiversity and Anthropocene

Course Type:

UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges

Faculty:

Chaudhuri, Tapoja

Term:

Fall

Year:

2024

Module:

Module III

Course Description

Anthropocene, or the era of the humans, and consequently climate change are the biggest threat to global biodiversity. However, biodiversity conservation policies are themselves products of social histories of colonization and social stratification. The course will enable students to adopt a critical analytical lens to learn about the challenges to our global environment, as well as understand how principles of social justice and equity can lead to a better future.

UCOR 3600-03 Culture Clash

Course Type:

UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges

Faculty:

Green, David

Term:

Winter

Year:

2025

Module:

Module III

Course Description

What lies at the heart of clashes between cultures and sub-cultures? In this course, we will explore the difficulties we face when communication and understanding between cultures break down and when our preconceptions diverge from fact. Frameworks from fields as diverse as cross-cultural management and non-violent communication will help us prepare for- and, hopefully, diffuse- cultural misunderstandings. For your major topic, you'll choose your own specific culture clash to examine in detail and address.

UCOR 3600-03 Global Migration/Human Dignity

Course Type:

UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges

Faculty:

Spencer, Heath

Term:

Spring

Year:

2025

Module:

Module III

Course Description

This course examines migration and migration policies through the lenses of social science research and Catholic social teaching. In the present moment, many countries have adopted migration policies that are out of step with the realities of migration and the dignity of the human person. As you study these tensions and contradictions, you will devise research-based policy proposals and explore opportunities for meaningful action in both personal and political contexts.

UCOR 3600-04 Biodiversity & the Anthropocene

Course Type:

UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges

Faculty:

Chaudhuri, Tapoja

Term:

Winter

Year:

2025

Module:

Module III

Course Description

Anthropocene, or the era of the humans, and consequently climate change are the biggest threat to global biodiversity. However, biodiversity conservation policies are themselves products of social histories of colonization and social stratification. The course will enable students to adopt a critical analytical lens to learn about the challenges to our global environment, as well as understand how principles of social justice and equity can lead to a better future.

UCOR 3600-04 Global Citizenship Education

Course Type:

UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges

Faculty:

Pisani, Shane

Term:

Fall

Year:

2024

Module:

Module III

Course Description

As the global movement of people increases in the 21 century, how have we updated the concept of citizenship? By examining the theoretical frameworks of nationalism and cosmopolitanism, the impacts of globalization, and our own lived experiences, the course will explore emerging global citizenship orientations and its relevance in the United States

UCOR 3600-04 U.S.-China Relations

Course Type:

UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges

Faculty:

Zhang, Enyu

Term:

Spring

Year:

2025

Module:

Module III

Course Description

As the world’s two most powerful and important players, the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China hold the key to collectively solving many of the global challenges we face in the 21st century. This course explores this most important and complex strategic relationship through an examination of the basic dynamics of strategic thinking and policy‐making in the U.S. and China and a theory‐informed analysis of key contemporary issues in the bilateral relations, including security, arms control, trade, human rights, energy, and the environment, from a variety of perspectives of International Relations and Foreign Policy Analysis. No prior background on China, U.S. foreign policy, or International Relations is assumed or required.

UCOR 3600-05 Global Migration & Trauma

Course Type:

UCOR 3600 Social Sciences and Global Challenges

Faculty:

Woon-Chen, Sabrina

Term:

Spring

Year:

2025

Module:

Module III

Course Description

This course examines the impact of global migration on the mental health and well-being of individuals in the Asian and Pacific Islander community. We will be examining migration patterns in Asia and the Pacific within a focus on how structural inequities such as colonization, imperialism, and war can impact families and individuals who are seeking safety. This course will also offer explore how global migration impacts historical and intergenerational trauma within the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora communities.