Political Science

This course investigates how benevolent conduct is enacted in the world, despite the typical focus on power, war, economic domination, and indifference towards distant foreigners in the study of international relations. This concept is approached from political theory, international relations, as well as artistic endeavors, to explore the tension between interest and sympathy concerning both human nature and the foundations of politics, the traces of which can be found consistently in philosophical debates between the 17th century and today. This course provides a deeper understanding of international relations by exploring an underinvested historical, empirical, and philosophical dimension. It considers benevolence as sensitivity, conduct, and project in the global space to cultivate a clear and optimistic view of the scope of benevolence in the contemporary world.

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. The course is intended for advanced level students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course focuses on basic knowledge of public law topics related to the digital evolution of our societies; how digital ICTs have challenged our legal systems; how government in different countries have provided means to facilitate, spread or even control the use of digital technologies; how they have managed the evolution of their own organization and actions, given their fundamental role in offering full access to knowledge. Special attention is also placed on the most recent rules approved for speeding up the affirmation of digital administration, and around specific topics of particular interest to course participants.

This course covers the politics of democratization in South Asia, a region with a long history of inter-state and intra-state conflict. The post-colonial separation of India into India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh has caused cross border tensions and paved the way for military intervention in the domestic politics of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The diverse interests of ethnic and religious communities are testing the legitimacy of majoritarian democracy and the limits of claims for autonomous government. This course examines the institutional structures, state-citizen relations, and identity politics in South Asia’s democratic experiments to find hope for democracy in a polarized world.

This course analyses European integration from the late 1940s until today. In a chronological order, it introduces students to themes such as security, economic integration, and enlargement that continue to influence European integration in the present. In parallel, it also provides an overview of the main theories explaining (aspects of) European integration related to these themes, including big theories such as neofunctionalism and neorealism, but also theories dealing with issues such as democratic legitimacy and the EU’s normative power. While firmly based in history, the sessions continuously seeks to also reflect on the relation between past processes and current developments, such as Brexit, or the Rule of law crisis, as they are unfolding. The course closes with a critical discussion on the main challenges European integration is faced with today and the views developed for its future development.

The course offers students the opportunity to obtain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the UK Parliament and its place in British democracy. It helps students to evaluate the work and role of Parliament and parliamentarians, appreciate ongoing debates about contemporary legislative practice, and engage critically with previous academic scholarship in this area. It also helps students to develop their own awareness and experience of conducting research.