Content of Learning Activity

In an increasingly interconnected world where industrial competition plays out on a global scale, this introductory course to international relations aims to provide future engineers with a set of tools to get a better grasp of the international institutions they will have to deal with , their functioning and especially their outcome policies. It seeks to help students comprehend the 'big picture' in a world they will soon have to navigate.
After a theoretical overview of essential concepts such as the State, the nation, diplomacy, international law, war, and peace, the course will focus on the functioning of the European Union and its policies that are critical for our industrial competitiveness. It will also address international trade, its rules, and recent developments.
The course will then turn to the United Nations and the organization of a rules-based international system established after the Second World War. Special attention will be given to the three pillars of this system: peace and security, development, and human rights. In this context, international cooperation—an area where engineers play a key role—will also be addressed.
Military policy, the role of NATO, and the defense industry will be presented as well. Finally, the course will conclude with the pressing issue of the twin technological transition humanity faces on a global scale: on the one hand, the digital transition and its implications for international politics (semiconductors, chips, innovation, etc.), and on the other hand, the environment and climate transition, including the geopolitics of energy and raw materials.
 

Required Learning Resources/Tools

slides

Recommended Learning Resources/Tools

Not applicable

Other Recommended Reading

Dynamiques des relations internationales - Sebastian Santander
Government and politics of the EU - Neil Nugent
Global Energy politics - Thijs Van De Graaf
Théorie des relations internationals – Dario Battistela
Droit International Public – Jan Verhoeven
Economie Internationale – P Krugman
Les voies de la Puissance – Frédéric Encel
Le Développemnt Gilbert Rist

Mode of delivery

• Face-to-face

Type of Teaching Activity/Activities

• Cours magistraux
• Conférences

Evaluations

The assessment methods of the Learning Activity (AA) are specified in the course description of the corresponding Educational Component (UE)