The Global Scholar Curriculum

The Global Scholar curriculum is modeled on the "Introduction to World Affairs" courses offered at America's top universities. The curriculum is fast-paced and designed for high school students who have experience with honors or advanced placement courses. The course seeks to give students a historical overview of international affairs and a background on the most important international institutions. It takes an in-depth look at globalization and the U.S. role in our increasingly globalized world.

The main textbook for Global Scholar is Joseph S. Nye, Jr.'s “Understanding International Conflict: An Introduction to Theory and History” (4th Ed.). The text will be supplemented by excerpts from a number of recent texts, such as Samantha Power's “A Problem from Hell,” Amy Chua's “World on Fire,” Thomas Friedman's “The World is Flat,” Joseph Nye's “The Paradox of American Power,” Joseph Stiglitz's “Globalization and Its Discontents,” and Benjamin Barber's “Jihad vs. McWorld.” Students will receive these readings when they arrive at Washington and Lee University.

In addition to coursework, students will participate in the Global Governance Simulation, an interactive experience spanning the two weeks of the program in which each student takes on the role of an international political figure and works to resolve a hypothetical global crisis. Students will also break into groups and team up to create innovative issue campaigns to enter into the Campaign Idol competition. Students will spend two “Capital Days” in Washington, DC and will participate in a videoconference with their peers from around the world.

Finally, students will choose between one of two workshop tracks: the College Readiness track, which will work on the SATs and crafting admissions essays, or the Leadership Development track, where they will practice public speaking and learn how they can be involved in global issues.