Duration
60h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course is an introduction to the study of international systems, actors and stakes.
Key concepts and fundamental aspects of international relations are covered.
We will consider:
- Various theoretical approaches and theoretical concepts;
- the historical development of the international system ;
- international actors including the State, international institutions, supra-regional organizations, NGOs, financial operators, illegal actors...
- international trade and economic relations;
- strategic relations,
- major international issues including war, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, globalization, environmental and climate emergency, artificial intelligence, etc.
- ...
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
This course aims to provide student with the tools to grasp the functioning of international political life and to understand the major trends in the contemporary world, including:
- major issues in international security
- dynamics at work in the globalisation and regionalisation processes
- international institutions and organisations
- changes in economic relationships both in countries of the North and in countries of the South
- multiplication of the number of partners in international relations
- the evolution and distribution of global power
- the new major international issues
- ...
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The course is given in French. However, students who wish to take this course have to be able to read and refer to works and periodicals in English, and to understand a lecture in English. Passive knowledge of English is required.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Several activities are planned:
1. Students must attend the coaching sessions organized in small groups in order to study the mandatory reading (see below) of the academic year. One point will be deducted from the final mark for each unjustified absence.
2. Students may receive other texts to read in French and/or English, distributed in due time.
3. Students must follow the daily international news. They will receive every week a questionnaire. The last consists of about 5 questions about international news, which will have taken place during the week preceding the course. The students will have to answer about 8 questionnaires in total. Those who will have given 60% of good answers will receive a bonus of 1 point on the final mark. Students who have not answered all the questionnaires will not benefit from the bonus of 1 point.
The assessment will start in early March 2025.
The evaluation will be done via the WOOCLAP software. It is therefore strongly recommended to have a smart phone, a tablet or a laptop in order to be able to connect with her/his login ULiège.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Ex Cathedra lectures
If the opportunity arises, there will be external interventions made in French and/or in English.
It is also possible the students will have to follow a couple of conferences related to topics tackled during the course.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège
Further information:
Course notes:
- The course is based on the following compulsory book: Sebastian Santander, Dynamiques des relations internationales : acteurs, enjeux et perspectives, Liège, Presses universitaires de Liège.
- Book available at Point de vue (Sart Tilman), at Espace ULiège Opéra (city center) or at the Pax bookstore (city center).
- Please note: although the course is based on this work, new subjects may be covered depending on the importance of international news.
Mandatory book for reading sessions for the 2024-2025 academic year:
Thomas Gomart, Guerres invisibles. Nos prochains défis géopolitiques, Paris, Taillandier, 2022, 315 p.
The reading is available at "Point de Vue" (Campus: Sart Tilman) and at Pax Library (downtown).
The book is available at the Graulich Library located at the Campus of Sart Tilman.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Additional information:
Students will have to answer around ten open questions and eventually a couple of MCQ.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course evolves, year by year, according to the political topicality of international relations.
The slides of the courses are put online (MyULiège) as and when classes are held.
Contacts
- Professor: Sebastian Santander (Bureau: R.71, niveau 0, tel. 04 366 30 46, sebastian.santander@uliege.be)
- Assistants:
Vincent Bricart (Bureau R.73, niveau 0, tel. 04.366.42.59, v.bricart@uliege.be)
Alex Arnoldy (Bureau R.73, niveau 0, tel. 04.366.42.59, Alex.Arnoldy@uliege.be)