Presentation

This class focuses on problems related to international relations and most likely to geopolitically important regions and high-risk regions (economic, political, environmental risks). It will discuss the main international relations theories, starting with the classic theories (realism-liberalism).  We will also examine concepts and theories that have recently emerged in the field of international relations.

Bibliography

• Agnew J., The territorial trap : The geographical assumptions of international relations theory, Review of International Political Economy, Vol : 1, 1994, p. 53-80.
• Battistella D., Théories des relations internationales, Paris, Presses de Sciences Po, 2015 (5^e éd.), 714 p.
• Battistella D., Petiteville F., Smouts M.C. & Vennesson P., Dictionnaire des relations internationales, Paris, Dalloz, 3^e édition, 572 p., 2012.
• Brathen S., Schoyen H., The Northern Sea Route versus the Suez Canal : cases from bulk shipping, Journal of Transport Geography, Vol: 19, Issue: 4, p. 977-983, 2011.
• Bruckmeier K., Beyond Globalisation : Another Transformation of the Economic World System, Global Environmental Governance, Springer, Cham, p. 229-256, 2018.

Educational formula

The first two sessions are introductory and provide explanations of the main concepts. Each week, students make presentations, discuss the main ideas and concepts covered in the presentations, discuss the required readings (sometimes films instead of texts). In the first semester, the focus will be on individual work; this will enable the teacher to assess each student’s potential and areas of interest and in so doing maximize their operationality in future works. In the second semester, the main focus is on group work. Each week, students are informed about an important world news event and discuss it in class.