At LUC you will study global challenges and you will learn that many of these challenges can be found in your own new backyard. Even though The Netherlands is a wealthy welfare state, and the city of The Hague prosperous, people here struggle with homelessness, unemployment, religious intolerance, food insecurity, gentrification, to name but a few. In professor Caroline Archambault’s Global Citizenship course, “Struggle in the City”, students are guided in serious game and simulation design, with the aim of promoting recognition, empathy, and outreach of local struggles. 

In this lecture, we dive into the fascinating world of the international law of the sea. We will explore the definitions, distinctions, and legal regimes that govern the various maritime features under international law. Ever wondered what truly defines an island, a rock, a low tide elevation, or an artificial island? How about the difference between a ship and an installation? We will uncover all of that and more. Join us for an exciting discussion where you deepen your understanding of the law of the sea and its real-world implications! 

Political systems are notorious for being 'sticky' - that is, they don't change very easily. But sometimes they do. In this sample lecture, David will invite you to start thinking about the conditions for stability and change, both in your own life and in the society you live in. 

The recent IPPC reports tell us – again – that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and will affect modern human life globally. Locally extreme climate events such as droughts and storms already pose serious challenges to society – also here in the Netherlands. In this class we will discuss the pros and cons of several adaptation strategies to reduce extreme weather risks, such as geoengineering and nature-based solutions. 

How does our environment, natural or built, influence health? What things are of consequence to health? In this online class students will be introduced to the Triangle of Human Ecology, a framework used to explore a person’s or community’s state of health. Using an example of Lyme Disease to illustrate the different components of this framework, students will consider the influence of environment, culture, and biology on health. 

Distributive justice refers to the fair distribution of goods and resources within a society. This can include issues such as wealth redistribution, access to healthcare and education, and the distribution of opportunities for success. Different theories of distributive justice may propose different principles for determining what constitutes a fair distribution, such as equality, need, or merit. In this class we discuss one the most influential attempts to answer questions about distributive justice by looking at the work of John Rawls. 

One of the many exciting electives available at LUC focuses on literature and creative writing. One of the best ways to understand literature is through attempting to construct a narrative of one’s own. Don’t worry; you don’t need to do any reading in advance! But I would appreciate it if you bring a pen and paper. You’ll need them.