Courses

Instructor: John Coughlin, Global Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and Law

The question of God(s) pertains to the existence, manifestations, meaning, and attributes of the sacred. Although conceptions about the sacred are inevitably shaped by history and culture, the fundamental question of God(s) has had an enduring presence throughout human experience. This course takes up this perennial human question from the context of some of the world’s major religious traditions including Primal Religion, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What similarities do these great traditions share, and how does their understanding of the sacred differ? Do they afford an ancient wisdom that remains relevant for our contemporary world? How can religious texts best be interpreted to contribute to human solidarity, harmony, and peace? In what ways does the empirical verification characteristic of an increasingly pervasive scientific and technological worldview impact on the sacred and belief in God(s)? Readings for the course are drawn from a variety of disciplines with a focus on the primary sources of each of the religious traditions.

Instructor: Sophia Kalantzakos, Global Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Public Policy

The Paris Agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016 with an aim to limit global warming to well below 2 °C, preferably to 1.5 °C, compared to pre-industrial levels. But implementation of the Paris Agreement requires economic and social transformation. The decarbonization of the global economy is, thus, no longer in question. Already around 120 countries have declared a goal to reach net zero emissions by approximately mid-century, while China aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2060.

In this course, we will examine:

1. the need to decode what a net-zero future means and its impacts on critical areas such as food production, water insecurity, and urban living; 
2. how major industrial powers are decarbonizing their economies and deploying their new “green” industrial strategies to ensure they are Paris aligned and moving quickly toward a net zero future; 
3. the nature of contemporary resource competition; 
4. the way policy decisions are influenced by political rhetoric, public opinion, and private interests; 
5. the overall economic and political impact of climate change on global political realignments and relations between the developed and the developing world; and 
6. questions of social and economic justice, inclusion, and equity of the energy transition and decarbonization.
   

Instructor: Angela Migally

Assistant Instructor: Reem Shraim

This SMSP leadership development program explores the ways in which leadership is enacted and effective in various national and cultural contexts. Have the standards remained static, or have they changed over time? How have leaders overcome the obstacles in their paths? What traits, if any, do they have in common? Do leaders make the times in which they serve, or do the times dictate the leaders who emerge? Are leadership skills innate, or can they be learned and developed?

Using readings and discussion about leadership theories, research, and trends, we focus not only on studying leaders, but also developing the leadership skills and potential of our SMSP Scholars. Readings include selections from biography, analysis and commentary, history, and autobiography. The seminar also features private sessions with prominent leadership figures from the UAE and the United States who will discuss their views, experiences, and firsthand observations about leadership. In recent years, the Scholars have met with notable leaders in the UAE such as:

• His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• The Right Honorable Gordon Brown, MP, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Distinguished Global Leader in Residence, NYU
• US Ambassador to the UAE, Barbara A. Leaf
• CNBC Arabiya CEO, Stephen F. Hall
• Chief Justice of the UAE Supreme Court, Dr. Abdul Wahab Abdul
• Minister of State, H.E. Zaki Nusseibeh
• First Vice President of the Federal National Council, H.E. Ahmed Bin Shabib Al Dhaheri

• Former US Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O'Connor
• US Senator, Lamar Alexander
• US House of Representatives member, Diana DeGette
• Assistant Secretary of State, Philip Goldberg
• Middle East Advisor to Vice President Biden, Herro Mustafa
• Actress and playwright, Anna Deavere Smith
• UN Development Programme head, Stephane Dujarrac
• UAE Ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba
• US Supreme Court Associate Justice, Sonia Sotomayor
• Executive Director and Chaplain for the Islamic Center at NYU, Imam Khalid Latif
• The Right Honorable Lord Rabbi Sacks, Former Chief Rabbi, United Hebrew Congregation of the Commonwealth
• UAE Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Lana Zaki Nusseibeh

Instructor: Erich Dietrich and Reem Shraim

Assistant Instructors: Dharini Parthasarathy and Reem Shraim

This course is designed to help students improve their public speaking skills and learn how to confidently present on variety of topics in diverse settings. The course offers intensive feedback and correction on students' spoken English and includes videotaping of formal and informal presentations to provide students a record of their progress. Final presentations will be assessed by a panel of judges.

Instructor: Jonathan Marsh

Critical Thinking and Persuasive Writing is a complement to the academic courses in the program. The course takes place primarily online. For the class, the scholars:

1. Write reflections on their experience with writing and in the program;
2. Engage in critical thinking discussions on questions prompted by the content of their academic classes;
3. Edit the papers they write for their other SMSP courses and learn grammar relevant to their errors; and
4. Participate in peer reviews of these papers.