93223 - Critical Geopolitics (1) (Lm)

Learning outcomes

This course is designed to provide the students with a theoretical and empirical understanding of contemporary geopolitics and its consequences in shaping what is often presented as ‘the world order’. By the end of the course the students will have a robust knowledge of the historical foundations of geopolitics and of its the role in the shaping of European imperialism and colonialism and a clear understanding of the relationship between geopolitics and nationalism. The students will be able to critically assess a broad range of contemporary geopolitical case studies and he will have a very good knowledge of the workings of ‘banal’ geopolitics and of how it is reproduced through a series of daily practices.

Course contents

The course will examine the history and the contemporary use of Geopolitics in order to critically examine the political geographies of European imperialism, cold war and post-cold war geopolitics, and the today's geopolitical landscapes. In particular, questions of borders, camps, migrations and biopolitics will be discussed in relation to the 'making of the European Self' and its associated geographies.

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS

For the preparation of their exam, attending students are required to study the materials distributed and discussed in class.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

For the preparation of their exam, non-attending students are required to study the following books:

1)S. Dalby, P. Routledge, G. Ó Tuathail (eds) The Geopolitics Reader. London, Routledge, 2020 (second edition)

2) G. Ó Tuathail Critical Geopolitics: The Politics of Writing Global Space. University of Minnesota Press, 1996

 

Teaching methods

The course will consist of a combination of formal lectures and discussion classes in order to facilitate the interaction between the lecturer and the students and to stimulate debate among students. Several guest lectures and seminars will be incorporated in the course schedule as well.

Assessment methods

The assessment consists of a written exam with open questions.

There are different sets of question for attending and non attending students.

Students who attend at least 75% of the lectures will be asked questions focussed on the materials discussed in class and on the relevant list of readings.

Non-attending students will be asked questions focussed on topics and subjects treated in the textbook and the other readings.

The assessment will consider:

1) the level of knowledge and critical understanding of the content addressed in the questions;

2) the strength of the argument and the capacity to identify links between the main topics discussed in the responses;

3) the use of the appropriate terminology.

The students who receive an insufficient mark are requested to take the exam again.

The results will be communicated to the students via almaesami.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations, websites, video clips, readings and relevant documents from the media.

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Minca