The first part of the course allows students to deepen their understanding of the evolution of the global system (by analyzing the historical roots of contemporary events and phenomena) and to draw links between theoretical perspectives (realism, liberalism, Marxism, constructivism etc.) and substantive issues. It explores the birth of the European state-system and its Chinese and Islamic alternatives, the causes of both world wars and the evolution of the Cold War. The second section of the course focuses on actors and processes. Topics range from intergovernmental organizations (such as the United Nations, the European Union and the World Trade Organization) and non-state actors (NGOs, social movements and MNCs) to the “human dimension” of politics (human rights, human security and human development) and the changing nature of conflict and violence. The third part seeks to encourage students to challenge their thoughts about factors driving international politics and embrace aesthetic approaches as essential ways of understanding world politics. It is based on the assumption that always, but in particular in our transition era characterized by flux and uncertainty, aesthetic inspiration may help us gain better insights and find innovative solutions to difficult political challenges and enduring conflicts. Students explore the links between aesthetics and world politics, the importance of creativity and imagination in politics and use their creativity and imagination in order to disentangle the complex emotional dimension of political events and social phenomena. They analyze political dilemmas through the interpretation of aesthetic sources such as poetry, painting, photography, music and cinema. 
Issues that challenge the whole global community, such as human security, terrorism, global warming, world economic crisis and conflicts in the Middle East will be illustrated by students in their oral presentations and explored in depth in their term papers.

At the end of the course, students will be able to understand the historical roots of global politics; link abstract theories to substantive issues; analyze the changing role of states in global politics; explore the growing role and evaluate critically the successes and the failures of international organizations and non-state actors; assess arguments in favor and against globalization; analyze the "human dimension" of global politics (the role of identity, ethnicity, nationality and human development); appreciate the importance of the aesthetic sources of politics; demonstrate research and analytical skills in using case studies (relying both on primary and secondary, verbal and visual sources) to better understand the need for global governance;  demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills within the context of global politics and use critical thinking, analytical skills and imagination to propose individual interpretations.

COURSE SCHEDULE