Farmington Public Schools

Course Title: Geopolitics, Economics, Technology, and Investments (GETI)

Understanding a Rapidly Changing World

The world is changing faster than ever—shaped by great-power competition, supply chain shocks, AI breakthroughs, demographic shifts, and energy transitions. Yet most adults only encounter these forces as fragmented news headlines or emotionally charged political debates.

This course is designed for adults who want to step back from partisan noise and instead develop a clear, comprehensive understanding of how today’s geopolitics, economics, technology, and financial markets intersect.

Rather than focusing on domestic politics or party issues, we will explore questions such as: * How are tensions between the U.S., China, Europe, and other regions reshaping trade, manufacturing, and jobs? * Why do events in places like the Red Sea, Taiwan Strait, or Eastern Europe affect prices at our local grocery store? * How are technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and clean energy changing the global balance of power? * What are the long-term forces behind inflation, interest rates, and market volatility—and what might this mean for long-term savers and investors? * What will be the impact of technologies such as quantum computing, Bitcoin/stablecoin, and robotics?

What you will gain

By the end of the course, participants will: * Develop a non-partisan “global lens” to interpret daily news with more confidence and less anxiety. * Understand the key regions, chokepoints, and alliances that shape the global order (for example, semiconductor hubs, shipping routes, and critical resource producers). * Learn how technological innovation (AI, automation, energy tech) is transforming industries and labor markets. * Build a foundational understanding of how macroeconomic forces (interest rates, debt, demographics, and globalization/de-globalization) connect to real life—housing, retirement, and jobs. * Practice applying a structured GETI framework to real headlines and case studies, so they can continue learning independently after the course ends.

How will we learn

This is not a lecture-only or “doom and gloom” class. Sessions are designed to be: * Accessible: No prior background in economics or international relations is required. * Interactive: Short talks are followed by guided discussions, maps, timelines, and small-group activities. * Case-based: We will use real events—such as supply chain disruptions, energy crises, or AI breakthroughs—as starting points to unpack deeper patterns.

Who should attend

* Adults who follow the news but feel overwhelmed or unsure how to interpret it. * Parents and grandparents who want to understand better the world their children are growing up in. * Lifelong learners interested in global affairs, technology, and markets—but who prefer balanced, educational discussion over political argument. * Professionals in any field who want a clearer grasp of the forces that may shape their industries over the next 5–10 years.

Course tone and expectations

The course is: * Non-partisan and educational. We study geopolitics, not party politics. * Respectful and discussion-driven. Participants are encouraged to share perspectives, ask questions, and connect material to their own experiences. * Future-focused. Our goal is not to predict the future precisely, but to help you think more clearly about possible futures.