“Our brand of geopolitics takes this a step further and asserts that a deep understanding of geography and power enables you to do two things. First, it helps you comprehend the forces that will shape international politics and how they will do so. Second, it allows you to identify what is important and what isn’t.”

Source: The Geopolitics of 2017 in 4 Maps |

In response to Trump’s new “America First” foreign policy approach, and in response to other major systemic changes that have been coming along for some time, my introductory course has a new sub-title and focus: understanding the varieties of world order and how world order can change.

I will still cover all of the basics needed for such a course, but I think that this is an appropriate time to think critically about “world order” and the worldviews that inform our understanding of such order(s). Every segment of the class will now include a focus that brings us back to that specific theme. Can’t wait to get started!

Course website: http://internationalrelations-nelson.site.wesleyan.edu/

From the College of the Environment:

Please join us for the next film in The Elements: An Annual Environmental Film Series, Merchants of Doubt.
The film will be shown on Monday, February 6 at 7:00PM at the Goldsmith Family Cinema, Center for Film Studies, on the campus of Wesleyan University, 301 Washington Terrace, Middletown, CT (directions and parking information).

As described on the film’s website, Merchants of Doubt was inspired by the acclaimed book of the same name by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway. The film provides a satirical exposé into the conjuring of spin in America, and the secretive group of charismatic, pundits-for-hire who present themselves in the media as scientific authorities – yet have the contrary aim of manufacturing doubt concerning the facts, and spreading confusion about well-studied public threats ranging from toxic chemicals to pharmaceuticals to climate change.

On Feb. 2, the Wesleyan community will be treated to a performance of “The Rap Guide to Climate Chaos,” a one-man show written and performed by Baba Brinkma

Source: Yohe Brings “Rap Guide to Climate Chaos” to Campus | News @ Wesleyan

This Spring I will teach the following courses:

Govt 155: International Politics, Tu/Th, 1:20 – 2:40 pm, PAC 107

While the overall framework for this class is the same as in the past, I have made some major shifts in emphasis. The major theme will be in the question of World Order, inspired by the possibility for foreign policy changes under the new Administration.

Govt 322: Global Environmental Politics, Tu/Th, 2:50 – 4:10 pm, PAC 421

This class gets at the heart of understanding how states (and others) can collaborate at the global level to address environmental challenges. We will focus on approaching these issues as social science researchers and as those interested in creating policy. Readings will illustrate multiple methods for understanding these challenges.

My office hours will be Tuesdays, 10:30 am – 12n, or by appointment.

From Backpacking in the Grand Canyon with Friends