The Basics of Geopolitics (2235.YR.015707.1)

Datos generales

Tipo:	OBL	Curso:	3	Periodo:	S semestre
Créditos ECTS:	3 ECTS

Profesorado:

Grupo	Profesor	Departamento	Idioma
Year 3	Jordi Molina Alsina	Derecho	ENG

This is a 3 ECTS course, which means that students are expected to dedicate approximately 75 hours of workload. (25 hours per ECTS). This workload may encompass various activities, including lectures, synchronous or asynchronous autonomous student work, study time, or any other time dedicated to the subject.

This course introduces the participants to key concepts, the theories and perspectives of today's global and regional geopolitics. It aims to provide the students with a wide-ranging approach to these topics and other related fields (geography, history, philosophy) in order to duly portray contemporary world politics, its background and its key drivers. The syllabus also examines the main challenges and opportunities of States international society, as well as the ongoing trends in cooperation, competition and conflict in key regions (i.e. China's Belt and Road Initiative. Russian invasion of Ukraine). It also highlights the need to further evolve global governance and the associated hurdles forward.

· Understanding the basic concepts, theories and views gravitating around the term ?geopolitics' and its evolution over time.

· Getting familiar with the key players, agendas and grand strategies that are shaping today's global and regional affairs.

· Analyzing the key current political, economic and social trends that are impacting daily global affairs.

· Exploring the historical and philosophical roots of international order and its evolution

· Approach world politics and geopolitics with greater knowledge and judgement

1. Content One session of 2h per week. Class topics: 1. Introduction - Politics, Government and the State 2. Evolution of the State and International Order 3. State challenges, Global challenges and Global Governance 4. Ideologies 5. Democracy vs. Autocracy · Populism 6. The US 7. China 8. Europe 9. Russia / Central Asia 10. India 11. Japan & The Koreas 12. Introduction to The Middle East 13. Saudi Arabia vs Iran: The Sunni-Shia Divide 14. LatAm 15. Africa

· Class sessions include lectures, news analysis and in focus class debates.

· Students are expected to bring their views, comments and questions.

· Throughout the syllabus, articles and books will be suggested and/or uploaded to Moodle to prepare or complete key topics. Students are also expected to conduct research to enrich class contents and exam preparation.

· We strongly recommend switching-off smartphones in class or the minimization of its use.

· Behavior and attitude in class must be proper at all times.

Recommended reading:

· Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall. Simon & Schuster.

Optional reading:

· The World, A Brief Introduction, by Richard Haas (2020)

Further background for specific themes:

· The globalization of world politics by J. Baylis, S. Smith and P. Owens. Oxford University Press.

· Global Politics by Andrew Heywood. Palgrave MacMillan.

Additionally, across the syllabus, articles and more optional books will be suggested to reinforce key concepts.

Grupo	Profesor	Departamento
Year 3	Jordi Molina Alsina	Derecho