helpful links

News

  • The Skimm:

    • Want a sassy way to keep up with current events? Go here. You're welcome.

  • Global Post

    • Mission Statement: "Our mission is to help fill the enormous void that has grown up in coverage of the world by US news organizations. More than ever before in history, we need knowledge of other countries and of the global forces that are impacting our economy, our environment, and our very security. Every day, GlobalPost delivers written reports, video and photography that inform and entertain, taking people to far flung places around the globe most will never visit but where events are shaping all of our lives." Awesome.

  • Ground Truth Project

    • The GroundTruth Project is dedicated to training a new generation of international correspondents in the digital age and to adding increased knowledge and understanding on issues of social justice including human rights, freedom of expression, emerging democracies, the environment, religious affairs and global health. GroundTruth is a registered nonprofit headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Headed by GlobalPost co-founder Charles M. Sennott, our team is committed to online publishing of ‘environments of understanding’ that enlighten and inform. We focus on narrative storytelling about issues that matter for an increasingly interconnected world and we search for solutions to these issues. At the core of what we do is the idea of ‘ground truth,’ which, put simply, means being there on the ground to tell the story.

  • Frontline

    • PBS's Frontline is a wonderful place for in depth information about current global issues. This website should really come in handy during your natural resources presentation! There are also some excellent video excerpts on here. Snoop around and enjoy.


Reference

  • CIA Factbook

    • When completing assignments where data is needed about specific countries, CIA World Factbook is an excellent and updated place to turn. Information you will find here includes: flag/map, background, geography, people, government, economy, communications, military, and transitional issues.

    • Another website to turn to for background data is BBC's Country Profile service. You will generally see more detailed background information here, however less general statistics and information than CIA's World Factbook website.

  • Council on Foreign Relations:

    • The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher. Subscribe to emails, RSS feeds, or regularly visit their website for current event information from a knowledge base of scholars. Hint: they have great interactive maps and videos!


Cool Sites

  • Crash Course:

    • John Green teaches you World History. On YouTube. For free. It's very helpful; but you may need to watch it twice. And there's more Crash Course where that came from! Check out:

  • Ted Talks:

    • These short videos (no longer than 20 minutes) are addictive! Don't believe me? Watch Dave Eggers talk about his pirate store.

  • Trek Earth:

    • This forum allows photographers, both professional and amateur, to post pictures from specific places around the world. Use this site to either gain a better pictorial sense of regions we study, or to post your own pictures, (which are subject to helpful critiques from other photographers).


Fun Blogs

  • Global Voices:

    • Are you listening? This is a wonderful website that allows you to read international blogs from regions we are studying. Make sure to check out the 'special coverage' section for local opinion on current events!


Opportunities

  • Kennedy Library Forums:

    • The Kennedy Library is located in South Boston, approximately an 1 1/4 hour drive from Harvard. Aside from holding an interesting collection, the Library holds excellent forums about course relevant material with renown speakers. In the past year, Muhammad Yunus, John Prendergast, Don Cheadle, Madeleine Albright, Desmond Tutu, Nancy Pelosi, and Ken Burns have been among the list of distinguished forum speakers. These programs are free of charge, however for more well-known speakers you must register early as seats fill up quickly!


Let's Geo-Partay!

  • Sporcle:

    • Which countries have the longest borders? Can you name all 37 countries that contain the letter X,Y, or Z? All the cocoa producing countries? You have five minutes. Ready? Go.

  • Trek Earth Photography Game:

    • Can you locate a country by a picture? Trek Earth turns user photos into a fun 'guess where' game. Been to Tunisia lately?

  • Statetris:

    • Do you like Tetris? Test your skills with State-tris, tetris with African countries. When you finish with Africa, move on to other regions of the world.

  • Sheppard Software:

    • Need to study for a map quiz? Sheppard software offers interactive games to help you brush up on countries and capitals regionally. Check it out!