Global Systems and Challenges
This course explores the political, economic, technological, and security systems that shape today’s world order. Students study how governments, firms, international organizations, and civil society use trade, finance, and emerging tech as tools of power, and how issues such as great-power rivalry, global health, climate, and global logistics resilience create shared risks. Emphasis is placed on identifying and managing geopolitical and economic threats while safeguarding human rights and business interests.
- Credits: 3 credits
- Course ID: IAF 710
What You'll Learn
Analyze how geopolitical, economic, and security factors interact to influence policy and market decisions.
Assess the ways states and non-state actors deploy trade, financial, and technology levers—sanctions, tariffs, export controls, AI standards—to advance strategic aims.
Propose collaborative strategies that mitigate cross-border risks and uphold human rights and sustainability goals.
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Course FAQs
What is asynchronous?
Asynchronous learning means that the instructor and the students in the course all engage with the course content at different times (and from different locations). The instructor provides students with a sequence of units which the students move through as their schedules permit.
What is the course structure?
Courses are offered fully online and are asynchronous. There is an optional, live interactive session offered weekly so students can engage with one another and with the faculty member. 

How long is each course?
Our mini-sessions (or terms) are 7.5 weeks long, and courses are offered in each mini. Each semester consists of 2 mini-sessions.
How many courses can I take in a mini-term?
We have structured our courses so students can take one course at a time; this is especially important for students balancing full-time employment. We do permit students to take a maximum of two courses in 1 mini-term (i.e. 6 credits over a 7.5 week period). While taking more than two courses in one semester may seem appealing, these online accelerated courses can be difficult to manage, especially while working full-time. In addition, taking more than one course in a mini session could cause conflicts in your weekly live sessions (i.e. they could be offered on the same day and time). 

What is a part-time course load vs. a full-time course load?
Part-time in SPS is defined as 3 credits (1 course) per semester, and full-time is defined as 6 or more credits (2 or more courses) per semester. Every course at SPS is 3 credits.
How fast can I earn a master's degree?
You can finish an SPS program in as little as 16 months if you take a course every mini semester*. If you need more time, that's okay too! We offer flexibility so you can go your own pace.
*This is for 30 credit hour programs only.
*This is for 30 credit hour programs only.