Understanding Trump’s presidency

It’s been less than two months, and Donald Trump has already ignited a roaring backlash across the country.

Between the protests, government investigations, and lately, the rebranding of the word “facts,” it’s completely understandable if you’re confused.

These five courses, which encompass everything from citizenship and U.S. immigration policy, to corruption and human rights activism, aim to tackle some of the overarching questions surrounding this presidency.

1. Top 10 Social Issues for the President’s First 100 Days

The beginning of a presidential administration — a time when Congress will begin to pass new laws and implement social policies that will impact all of us — is a crucial moment to begin engaging in the national conversation. In this self-paced course, taught by a group of professors at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, students will interact in online discussions to examine the most pressing social justice and policy issues facing the United States. Instructors will continually post and update pertinent articles and thoughtful commentaries, and at the very end of the course, will work with students to create a list of priorities for the newly elected president and Congress.

2. Human Rights Activism, Advocacy and Change

In all societies, advocates and activists play an important role in ensuring human rights are respected, protected and promoted. This 14 week course will explore the role of social movements and activism in bringing about change, touching on topics such as women’s rights activism, refugee and queer rights and indigenous protests. By the end of the course, students will have a wide understanding of social movement theories and concepts, as well as their methods and outcomes.

3. Corruption

Every day we see high-level government officials resigning, hundreds of thousands of people holding up signs at demonstrations, and oftentimes, even risking their lives to protest the corruption in the world. Using examples from around the globe, this four-week course will discuss corruption from the perspective of countries, governments, businesses, citizens and the people within these entities. At the end, students will have a better understanding of not only what corruption is, but also its causes, effects, and how to control it.

4. Citizenship and U.S. Immigration

This self-paced course will answer crucial questions such as: How is citizenship acquired, and can it be lost? Who decides who can enter the country, and who must leave? and What rights do noncitizens and those who have entered the country illegally have? In the final chapter of the unit, “Deportation Proceedings and Border Security,” students will be asked to consider the future of direction of immigration law in the United States.

5. Is American Democracy Broken? Perspectives and Debates

Between the continual protests, soaring deficits and growing public distrust of government, it seems as if American democracy is truly in crisis. Through a series of videos and PowerPoints, this class will provide an overview of the competing views on American democracy and allow participants to analyze some of the key issues facing our government, including the ethics of campaign financing, the politics of deficit spending and the proper policy-making role of the courts.

To find these courses go to class-central.com.