Natural Resources and Geopolitic Strategies (2225.YR.011245.1)

Datos generales

Tipo:	OPT	Curso:	3	Periodo:	S semestre
Créditos ECTS:	6 ECTS

Profesorado:

Grupo	Profesor	Departamento	Idioma
Year 3	Jordi Molina Alsina	Derecho	ENG

This course assesses how the discovery, access, control and consumption of natural resources has been (in history and nowadays) a source of economic, political and social power. Some examples and case studies include amber, silk, gold, coffee, diamonds, oil, coltan rare earths, among many others, have driven the rise and decline of regional and global powers. The effects of such activities go well beyond geopolitics and economy, as they also produce externalities at social level as well as the environment. The syllabus will also pay special attention to the consequences of the War in Ukraine that started in 2022.

· Learning how the control of key natural resources helps to explain historical events and shape today's world affairs.

· Assessing politics, economy and corporate activities in such activities.

· Further develop and train analytical skills and critical thinking by putting in practice and linking syllabus from past courses.

1. Syllabus content The syllabus has a total of 20 sessions of 2h, 2 classes (4h) per week. Key content: 1. About Natural Resources (NR) and Geopolitics 2. NR and Anitiquity 3. Medieval Europe, the Silk Road and NR 4. The rise or European Empires and NR (1): Portugal and Spain 5. The rise or European Empires and NR (2): Britain, the Netherlands and France 6. The case of Congo (1): ivory, slavery and rubber 7. The case of Congo (2): deforestation and wildlife traffic 8. Critical Minerals, precious metals and diamonds today 9. Lithium, Cobalt and Silicon 10. Fossil Fuels and Climate Emergency 11. Nuclear Energy 12. Green Energy and NR 13. Water governance: cooperation and conflict 14. Geopolitics of Space and NR 15. Teamwork presentations (1) 16. Teamwork presentations (2) 17. Teamwork presentations (3) The order of classes will be subject to the availability of guest speakers. The content of some sessions and its means and methodology (classroom, online) can vary due to geopolitical/geoeconomic breaking news events during the course and/or prescription or recommendations by governmental authorities.

Methodology & key attendance considerations

· Class sessions include lectures, news analysis, fire-chats and 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.

· Smartphones must be switch-off in class, laptops are welcomed except in the last three sessions (teamwork presentations).

· Attitude in class must be proper at all times.

Suggested book.

The New Map, by Daniel Yeguin- Energy, Climate and the Clash of Nations. Penguin Books.

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

Grupo	Profesor	Departamento
Year 3	Jordi Molina Alsina	Derecho