Political Science

The focus of this course is on the practical dimension of foreign policy: foreign policy in action. It examines how states actually formulate, negotiate, and implement their external decisions, and this is developed primarily through comparative case studies. The theoretical component is treated only briefly. Unlike courses dedicated to foreign policy theory that engage deeply with conceptual debates and require specialization in political science, this course emphasizes applied analysis rather than abstract theory. Within this practical orientation, the course explores how major powers approach the Middle East and how key Middle Eastern states craft their own foreign policies. Through interactive lectures and applied exercises, students develop the capacity to assess foreign policy behavior using multiple levels of analysis and a range of analytical tools.

This course introduces the concept of the 'First' and 'Second' nuclear ages, in addition to questions about proliferation's impact on world security, crisis decision making, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, deterrence, arms control, civil-military nuclear links, the non-proliferation regime, nuclear safeguards, and 'new' nuclear threats (smuggling and terrorism). Recent and contemporary case studies such as Iraq, Iran and North Korea are considered.

This course introduces knowledge on contemporary international society and students analyze it through the study of the international system’s main actors, its structures and processes, its breaches and the main subject areas in the present global agenda (underdevelopment, environment, globalization, etc.). Topics include the importance of Law as a system of regulating social relationships, the ethical values and principles of different legal professions, and legal research methods and techniques. 

This course examines the intersection of artificial intelligence, social media, and democratic processes, focusing on their impact on public discourse, political engagement, and policymaking. It explores topics such as algorithmic influence on opinion formation, misinformation and disinformation dynamics, digital activism, and the ethical implications of AI in shaping democratic participation. Through case studies, critical analysis, and practical projects, the course equips students with the tools to critically assess the evolving role of AI-driven platforms in the digital public sphere and their implications for democracy. Special attention is given to Scandinavian and European contexts, providing a regional perspective on global challenges

This course examines the international politics of environmental problems through a comparative lens. It explores how global environmental challenges – such as ozone depletion and climate change – are addressed through international regimes, multilateral agreements, and the participation of various state and non-state actors. Emphasis is placed on regime design, participation, and effectiveness, as well as the institutional complexity that often limits coordinated responses. The course also analyzes the link between climate change and conflict, the trade-environment nexus, the issue of environmental justice and prospects for future global environmental governance. Throughout, students engage with key theoretical frameworks and empirical cases to critically assess why international cooperation succeeds or fails. We also consider how environmental governance is shaped by power asymmetries, competing interests and evolving global norms.

This course provides comprehensive knowledge of public policies found in the European Union, a political system that has increasingly taken on responsibility in key policy areas. After briefly reviewing the EU’s institutional structure, it analyzes key economic policies of the EU, including the single market, economic and monetary union and competition policy. It then examines the fascinating aspects of merger and acquisition control and state aid. It also covers other significant policies, including agriculture, social, freedom, security and justice, as well as the external policies of the EU.

The course is designed to equip students with experience, knowledge, and skills for succeeding in globally interdependent and culturally diverse workplaces. Throughout the course, students will be challenged to question, reflect upon, and respond thoughtfully to the issues they observe and encounter in the internship setting and local host environment. Students will have the opportunity to cultivate professional and personal development skills as defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Assignments focus on building a portfolio that highlights those competencies and their application to workplace skills. Students complete 45 hours of in-person and asynchronous online learning activities and 225-300 hours at the internship placement.

This introductory course explores the historical evolution of political institutions and ideas from antiquity to the present. It analyzes power, legitimacy, and governance through key political theories, systems, and actors at both national and international levels. Students practice critical research methods, comparative analysis, and effective communication of historical and political arguments. 

This course examines the political economy of global monetary and financial relations. It is structured around such questions as: What is the global financial system and what purposes does it serve? What are the choices of monetary and financial policies open to national governments, and what determines governments’ different policy choices? How do governments and markets interact in the arena of global finance? How do private actors influence the governance of international finance? When and why are efforts to regulate global markets successful, and what are the distributional consequences of such efforts? What are the political causes and effects of global financial crises? In seeking answers to these questions, this course focuses on empirical and theoretical political economy models of money and finance. 

This course studies the relationship between states and social movements in Latin America. First, it provides an overview of Latin America at the beginning of the 21st century, with some of the strong political changes that mark the first decades of the century. It then talks more specifically about the political intermediaries that were multiplied or imposed within the framework of these changes, before studying further precisely some of the most important mobilizations of the period contemporary such as feminist mobilizations, indigenous peoples, or against megaprojects. Thus, it considers the different forms and repertoires that these movements use to oppose the public policies of their governments. The multiplicity of these forms provide an overview of the actions of protest in the American subcontinent to the most contemporary period.