International Studies

This course reviews the history of Western international society and its global expansion, placing the development of the League of Nations and the United Nations (UN) in this historical context. The course particularly focuses on the role of Japan in any international organization.  

The course introduces students to the theory and history of international organizations, seeking to understand the following four subjects: (1) International Society, Rationalism or the English School as the third paradigm of International Relations in contrast to Realism and Liberalism; (2) the historic developments of Western international society and international organization; (3) the political dynamism behind the creation of the League of Nations and the United Nations (UN), and (4) the historic significance of a global liberal order.  

This course shows that Africa is a productive laboratory for students and researchers in international relations and security studies as the region gathers some of the most enduring interlinked political rivalries within the international system. It challenges and sometimes clarifies powerful concepts developed by the field (hegemonic stability, regional security complex, failed states, small state, sovereignty). It contrasts arguments that international relations focuses on the politics of powerful states and that, as a consequence, there is an African exceptionalism which explains the field’s inability to accurately address African experiences. The course examines how Africa has often been neglected by the different theoretical approaches to international relations and more generally by the discipline, demonstrating that the Horn of Africa is pertinent not only for area specialists but also constitutes a remarkable ground for fieldwork and theory-testing of both old and new approaches. 

This course interrogates development geography as a discipline, discourse, and practice. Framed as "global development" in contemporary discourse, it traces its origins to colonialism and engages with debates in both mainstream and radical development thinking. Drawing on examples from different regions of the world, it focuses on global challenges related to migration, employment, gender, environment, digital technologies, and development finance to reflect on the changing geographies and politics of development.

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic drivers of international relations in the modern age from the Antiquities, namely, the causes of war and peace through theoretical and historical examination of major conflicts up to the 21st century.

This advanced course offers a comprehensive examination of women's engagement in politics worldwide, with a primary focus on the French context. Through a nuanced and comparative lens, it explores the complex dynamics surrounding women's participation in political spheres. Students critically analyze the multifaceted challenges that women encounter in their pursuit of political power and decision-making roles but also in influencing political and intellectual debates. Drawing on extensive research and scholarly works, the course investigates the historical, social, and political factors that have shaped women's involvement in politics from a global perspective. 

This course examines forces that shaped the modern world and the development of a modern global society, from the sixteenth century to the present. It explores the major critical junctures that placed human society on a path towards modernity. It examines
the linkages between society, economics, politics, administration, culture, and science and technology as the foundation for globalization. 

Reflecting on the causes and consequences of war involves some of the most fundamental questions facing any student of conflict, and this course is an introduction to thinking about them. Students explore the theoretical and methodological questions that arise when studying the causes of war. They consider the definition of war, and examine the role of theory in explaining and understanding its causes. Students utilize historical case studies, explore contemporary international politics and explore political change over time. In the second half of the year, the course also investigates some of the consequences of war – on the international system, on society, and on individuals. The course also addresses ways in which war and conflict can be prevented and mitigated.

This course offers a study of terrorism from ancient times to the present. The course examines the changing understanding and definitions of political violence from ancient times to the September 11th attack in 2001. The course reviews research methods and approaches by examining relevant studies of terrorism definitions and concepts. Terrorism is discussed in relation with freedom, human rights, and security.

This advanced international relations course focuses on the European Union and its role on the international scene. It provides an overview of EU foreign policy in its variety. It addresses in particular the legal and policy framework of the EU external action providing an analysis of the competences and tools available to the EU to conduct its foreign policy, such as the conclusion of international agreements and the participation of the EU to other international organizations. The course also covers specific policies in which the EU plays an important role, such as Common Commercial Policy (CCP) and Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The interaction between the EU and other international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization is also studied. This course has a strong focus on EU law; prerequisite knowledge of EU government branches and EU law is recommended.

This course introduces the basis of privately run maritime trade; the threats faced by ship owners, ports, and seafarers; and the systems in place to protect them. It tells the story of mercantile trade on the world's seas focusing on the modernization and formalization of the merchant fleet in the 20th and 21st centuries; its governing systems under UN agreements; and its practical business considerations versus the geopolitical priorities of governments and the intentions of criminals and terrorists to profit from shipping's loss, from gray zone aggression to kidnaps at sea. The course draws upon international maritime law and trade agreements, international business standards, and national level government policies. Throughout, it maintains a practical approach on what these issues mean for the seafarer, the ship owner, the policy maker, and the consumer to illustrate the real-life impact of maritime polices – and the very real impact when there are no policies – as well as the career paths available in the maritime sector.