Political Science

This course studies the main steps of the French-German reconciliation and cooperation, and their impact on the European construction and transatlantic relations. The emphasis is not only on the bilateral dimension of this relationship, but also on the international one. A large role is given to the post-Cold War era and to the different Franco-German initiatives which came about during the development of the European Union and continued through the failure of the European Constitution. At the heart of this course are the visions and the philosophies which are often quite different of President Macron towards Germany. The course discusses the role of the “Franco-German couple” in the European Union and how the visions and philosophies are often very different in terms of European integration.

The course introduces students to a range of theories and concepts used in the academic study of public policy. It explores issues that cross the remits of different levels of government (local, regional, national, international/supranational). The course is presented in a way that facilitates a comparative analysis of political systems in different places and at multiple levels. It brings together academic expertise and practical experience, by inviting policy practitioners to present case studies.

This course explores the main political and moral theories that have been developed to face the new reality of unprecedented ecological upheaval caused by human activity. It imagines political solutions (environmental ethics, critique of technology, radical ecology, ecological democracy) to address several questions at the heart of contemporary political debates: whether humans should have a moral obligation towards nature and living beings; recognize a crime of ecocide; fight against the ideology of technical progress and invent new forms of life that are more resilient and respectful of the environment; reaffirm the importance of the precautionary principle in public action; and imagine a new social and ecological contract that would include non-human life forms and future generations.

This course discusses human rights from an historical perspective as well as present day in Chile. It explores the search for truth, justice, memory, reparation, and guarantees of non-repetition after the restoration of democracy. The course reflects on the causes and social consequences of political violence, both during the dictatorship and in democracy, the difficulties in moving towards a more egalitarian and cohesive society, the challenges of the rule of law and democracy, and the main struggles for social justice in Chile today.