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Geopolitics (GED75234)

General information

Type:

OP

Curs:

4

Period:

S semester

ECTS Credits:

5 ECTS

Teaching Staff:

Group Teacher Department Language
Jordi Molina Alsina Derecho ENG

Workload distribution


The syllabus will combine classwork (80%) and individual study at home (20%).

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM


The world turns fast. We are surrounded by dizzying changes. Maintaining an accurate and updated map of these new times, of the actors and political, economic and social trends that are shaping today's world, is a daunting challenge.

This course walks the participants through the evolution and latest events in global affairs (particularly international relations, geopolitics and economics) while exploring the ongoing power shifs and the shaping of a new world order.

It also discusses how the international order designed after WWII is increasingly under pressure and how old and emerging powers are accomodating their agendas and strategies to the new context through cooperation and conflict.

The syllabus also examines the main challenges and opportunities arising from today's key international hotspots (US, China, EU, Russia, Middle East, LatAm, Africa) and assesses the need to further evolve global governance to the next level.

Course Learning Objectives


Observing today's reality through a wide-angle lens is the key to enriching our
personal and professional experience, to deciphering the world around us and cultivating
our opinions and criteria.

The participants will be capable of :

* Understanding the concepts, institutions and logic behind the term 'world order' and its evolution over time
* Getting familiar with the key players, agendas and grand strategies that are shaping today's global and regional affairs
* Analysing the key global political, economic and social trends that are impacting the daily global news
* Developing knowledge and grounds to discuss and debate the hottest topics in the international arena
* Providing grounds and explanations in order to envisage likely global and regional scenarios

Competences

16. Appreciation/understanding of diversity
25. Change management
31. Comprehension of the complexity of the local and global contexts

Relation between Activities and Competences

16 25 31
Debates      
Lectures      
Written Exam      

CONTENT

1. Towards a New World Order

The course gravitates around five modules :

1. Introduction to International Order
A. Key concepts and evolution of international society
B.The two driving traditions in diplomacy : Realism and Liberalism
C.Geopolitics and geoeconomics

2. The twilight of WWII international order
A.The globalization of world politics
B.Bipolarity : 1945-1990
C.Power shifts : 1991- 2015

3. Today's world order and the state of global affairs
A.US decline ? - The rise of China - The EU at the crossroads
B.The Greater Middle East
C.LatAm and Africa

4. Ongoing trends and the shaping of tomorrow
A. Global trade and finance
B.Technology and social change
C. Ideology : democracy and emerging regimes

5. Peeking through the curtain of the future
A. Climate change, development and human rights
B.Risks and opportunities
C.The next 10 years

Relation between Activities and Contents

1
Debates  
Lectures  
Written Exam  

Methodology

The classes combine different class activities with the following relative weight :

* Lectures (interactive, with ongoing Q&A) : 80%
* Debates : 20%

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN

Description %
Debates 30
Lectures 20
Written Exam 50

Assessment criteria

The syllabus will be assessed through a written exam.
Passing the exam (grade of 5 or higher is a must to pass the syllabus).

Bibliography


Suggested reading : World Order by Henry Kissinger, Penguin Press, 2014

Advanced reading (selected chapters): The globalization of world politics by John Baylis & Steve Smith, Oxford University Press 2014

On-line articles can be distributed ad-hoc.

Timetable and sections

Group Teacher Department
Jordi Molina Alsina Derecho

Timetable

From 2018/9/6 to 2018/11/22:
Each Thursday from 12:30 to 14:30. (Except: 2018/11/1)

Monday 2018/12/10 from 14:00 to 17:00.