Forums for a Future (Canvas.net)

Forums for a Future (Canvas.net)

This course examines the political (world order), economic (globalization), social/cultural (beliefs, values, and lifestyle), and psychological (human capacity for change) forces that are re-defining the quality of life in the 21st century.

This course examines the political (world order), economic (globalization), social/cultural (beliefs, values, and lifestyle), and psychological (human capacity for change) forces that are re-defining the quality of life in the 21st century.

Students will leave Forums for a Future with an explicit (written) worldview of their own creation as the basis for developing a coherent sense of self-direction for living peacefully and sustainably on a crowded planet in the 21st century.

Students should have some familiarity with the basic concepts of political science, economics, sociology, and psychology. Although an introductory level course in any of these areas is helpful, it is not necessary.

Much of the material has been published by the instructor as op-ed pieces in newspapers and popular (not academic or technical) books. Any thoughtful person can and should grasp the messages and may simply skip the complicated conceptual writing and still profit from reading the contributions of others. It is not highbrow; it is intended to promote general public civic discourse.

This course is based on a very popular honors level course at the University of South Florida. Participants should have related background and knowledge along with the ability to self-direct their learning.

More info: https://www.canvas.net/courses/forums-for-a-future

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

The Bible's Prehistory, Purpose, and Political Future (Coursera) Coursera
Emory University

The Bible's Prehistory, Purpose, and Political Future (Coursera)

With its walls razed to ground by Babylon’s armies, Jerusalem joined a long line of ancient vanquished cities—from Ur and Nineveh and Persepolis to Babylon itself. While some recovered from the destruction, others did not. But none responded to political catastrophe by fashioning the kind of elaborate and enduring monument to their own downfall that we find in the Bible. Most conquered populations viewed their subjugation as a source of shame. They consigned it to oblivion, opting instead to extol the golden ages of the past. The biblical authors in contrast reacted to loss by composing extensive writings that acknowledge collective failure, reflect deeply upon its causes, and discover thereby a ground for collective hope.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Symptom Management in Palliative Care (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University

Symptom Management in Palliative Care (Coursera)

This course should be taken after the Essentials of Palliative Care course and continues building your primary palliative care skills – communication, psychosocial support and goals of care. You will learn how to screen, assess, and manage both physical and psychological symptoms. You will explore common symptoms such as pain, nausea, fatigue, and distress and learn specific treatments.

Oct 12th 2026
4 Weeks
Economie du sol et de l'immobilier II (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Economie du sol et de l'immobilier II (Coursera)

Quels sont les liens entre les prix fonciers, les prix immobiliers et les prix pour l'usage des immeubles? Est-ce que les prix immobiliers permettent de comprendre les prix fonciers? Ou l'inverse? Quels sont les calculs faits par les opérateurs sur ces marchés? On a le sentiment que ces marchés sont liés les uns aux autres. Avec ce cours, vous comprendrez mieux comment. En passant, vous aurez acquis une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes économiques qui peut être utile dans d'autres domaines.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Gamification (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Gamification (Coursera)

Gamification is the application of game elements and digital game design techniques to non-game problems, such as business and social impact challenges. This course will teach you the mechanisms of gamification, why it has such tremendous potential, and how to use it effectively.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
After the Arab Spring – Democratic Aspirations and State Failure (Coursera) Coursera
University of Copenhagen

After the Arab Spring – Democratic Aspirations and State Failure (Coursera)

Learn why the hope and excitement of the Arab Spring is gone, why so many Arab states are falling apart, why the youth are so frustrated, why there are so many refugees, and what can be done about it. The so-called Arab Spring appeared to end decades of exceptionalism and bring the Arab world back into the mainstream of global developments. The rebellions promised the return of politics and the reassertion of popular sovereignty against their corrupt and geriatric leaders. Much hope and flowery language greeted the young men and women who deposed their leaders and tried to build new, better societies.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Doing Economics: Measuring Climate Change (Coursera) Coursera
University of London,University College London,CORE

Doing Economics: Measuring Climate Change (Coursera)

This course will give you practical experience in working with real-world data, with applications to important policy issues in today’s society. Each week, you will learn specific data handling skills in Excel and use these techniques to analyse climate change data, with appropriate readings to provide background information on the data you are working with. You will also learn about the consequences of climate change and how governments can address this issue.

Oct 19th 2026
4 Weeks
Business English: Finance and Economics (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Business English: Finance and Economics (Coursera)

Do you work in finance or interact with finance professionals? Is it necessary to speak, write or understand English in your career? Follow the authentic characters in this course as they work through common business situations in finance and economics. Learn from your successes and failure, and think critically about your own communication options.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Social Norms, Social Change I (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Social Norms, Social Change I (Coursera)

This is a course on social norms, the rules that glue societies together. It teaches how to diagnose social norms, and how to distinguish them from other social constructs, like customs or conventions. These distinctions are crucial for effective policy interventions aimed to create new, beneficial norms or eliminate harmful ones. The course teaches how to measure social norms and the expectations that support them, and how to decide whether they cause specific behaviors.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics - The Big Picture (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics - The Big Picture (Coursera)

Take a trip with me in this the third and final course of this Economics 100 Specialization which is a direct adaptation from one of my courses I teach at Rice University. Specifically, in this course we're going to be focusing on Macroeconomics. What is Macroeconomics you might be asking? Well, you've come to the right place! We're going to be going over the big picture of economics- which is examining the measures we use to gauge the health of national economies and study the theories and policies aimed at improving economic health. In a nutshell, how can we use economics to make the world a better place?

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks