Specialized courses (CS)

Administrative law (Syllabus) - French-taught
D. Guinard
This course provides an in-depth introduction to administrative law, a set of specific rules governing the actions of the public administration, distinct from ordinary law. It is aimed at students intending to enter the civil service or legal careers. It covers the classic themes of public service, administrative police, and the nature and hierarchy of administrative acts. The course also deals in detail with administrative litigation, in particular the legality of acts, administrative liability and, above all, emergency procedures, now central to many social debates (freedom of expression, end of life, etc.). Particular attention is paid to the work of the Conseil d'État in the development of administrative law. Finally, the course integrates contemporary issues such as administrative environmental law, inviting students to link theory and current affairs.

Public International Law (Syllabus) - French-taught
L. Chan-Tung
The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of the basic elements of public international law, which is, by definition, the law applicable to relations between States. However, ever since the birth of the modern State, States have brandished the principle of sovereignty as a "fundamental right" of each State, in the face of any attempt to create a centralized supra-State international power capable of sanctioning States in the event of violation of international norms. The aim is to understand both the complexity and the contradiction of this branch of law, for paradoxically, "non-interference" and "the reserved domain" - two fundamental principles of international law - remain to this day a bulwark that leaves the State, as the principal subject of this law, free to act on its own territory. Today, public international law is more fragile than ever, and some internationalists have even come to doubt its effectiveness.

Investigating through images (Syllabus) - French-taught
O. Ihl
This course in political iconography introduces students to an approach that has been revolutionizing the social sciences for the past twenty years: visual studies. Whether in history, sociology or anthropology, images play a central role as documents and analytical tools, whether in painting, sculpture, photography, cinema or video... This course uses case studies to explore the uses of images, both today and in the past. What is an image? How do we look at them? What can they teach us, particularly about the workings of politics?

Governance and major urban issues (Syllabus) - French-taught
J. Bouyat
More than half the world's inhabitants now live in cities. The urban environment has become the dominant framework for social practices and relations, within which conflicts are regulated and public policies shaped. Alongside national space, cities and metropolises have established themselves as a key scale for understanding and acting on the economic, social and environmental issues of our time. Urban actors, whether elected representatives, bureaucrats or economic players, are striving to make sense of them and respond with political proposals. This relocalization of politics is giving rise to an unprecedented politicization of major strategic choices for cities. This specialized course deals with the major transformations of European cities under the impact of globalization, changes in production systems, Europeanization and the recomposition of states. It offers a political sociology perspective on governance and urban policies. It examines the reshaping of the state and its relationship with cities, the economic and social transformations of territories, and changes in the forms of political mobilization and the production of urban policies. These issues are addressed through a series of major socio-urban challenges and the policies implemented in European cities in response to them. Based on defined themes, the course combines the reading of contemporary scientific texts with the presentation of specific case studies, drawn from different sectors of urban policy, in different countries, regions and cities. These will be discussed and questioned using the theoretical tools of urban studies.

History of political ideas (Syllabus) - French-taught
O. Ihl
This course in the history of political ideas introduces students to some of the works (Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Tocqueville, Péguy, Foucault, Lefort...) and currents of thought (utilitarianism, liberalism, romanticism, nationalism...) that form the basis of contemporary debate. The guiding principle of this course will be to understand how political reason has emancipated itself, since the end of the 18th century, from the powers and tutelage of tradition. What place does it occupy today in a world marked by rising social inequalities and increasing migration, but also by the redefinition of the relationship between man and other living species? It's an opportunity to reconnect with the power of the great texts and question the role of ideas in history. What makes a piece of writing a work of art? What relationship can be established between text and context? Is the notion of author an illusion?

Elections in France (Syllabus) - French-taught
F. Gougou
The unexpected electoral sequence of 2024, stretching from the European elections on June 9 to the two rounds of legislative elections on June 30 and July 7, has created considerable turbulence in French political life. For many observers, French political competition is currently in a phase of great instability. This is not what my research shows. Emmanuel Macron's re-election in the 2022 presidential election and the three-way competition that now seems to pit the left, center and radical right against each other have confirmed that France has entered a new political world. What this means remains to be clarified.
In this specialized course, I will share with you the keys to understanding electoral and partisan developments under the Fifth Republic. While remaining resolutely in touch with the most recent dynamics, in particular the 2024 elections, I will present the major moments in French electoral history since 1958. I will make some forays into local elections, but my main focus will be on national elections - presidential, legislative and referendum.
This course is designed for those who have never done electoral analysis before, as well as for those who already know something about elections and voting. Looking beyond the case of France, my aim is to show that some of the recent changes in our country's political landscape (falling voter turnout, collapse of government parties, rise of the radical right, recomposition of the left, etc.) reflect long-term trends that run through all Western liberal democracies.
 

Central and Eastern European countries (Syllabus) - French-taught
S. Lemasson
This course analyzes the growing role of Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) in the European Union. Long considered peripheral due to their late accession and absence from the initial construction of the EU, these states have now become central players in European institutions, particularly since the outbreak of war in Ukraine. The course examines their influence on major issues such as defense, energy, migration policy and memorial issues. It explores how their historical heritage, their geopolitical positioning and their strategic choices, between assertive Atlanticism and relations with Russia, are redefining European balances. The course looks first at the historical singularities of the CEEC, then at the evolution of their integration into the European Union, and finally at their role in the European decision-making process, with a particular focus on Poland, Hungary and the Baltic States.

Images of war, war of images (Syllabus) - English-taught
F. Petiteville
War is an expression of organized violence that civilian populations can rarely escape. The extensive killing of civilians in wars is prohibited by the traditional "just war ethics" and by international humanitarian law. However, this controversial issue often remains theoretical. It becomes less abstract when based on images, photos, and documentaries that are widely disseminated in all contemporary wars. This 9-session course is precisely based on the assumption that visual emotions are necessary to realize the fundamental immorality of violent acts targeting civilians during war. The sessions are based on the collective watching (students and the professor in class) of documentaries about major contemporary wars: Vietnam, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, and Gaza. Each case study is first introduced by the professor in order to provide its geopolitical context. Afterwards, the viewing of the documentary is followed by a debate led by the professor over the arguments of just war theory and international humanitarian law.

Middle East: States, authoritarianism and political recompositions after 2011 (Syllabus) - French-taught
P. Droz-Vincent
This course analyzes the political transformations initiated in 2010-2011 and 2019 in the Middle East, highlighting their limits and the small democratic gains achieved. The first sessions provide historical and political benchmarks for all students. The course then looks at authoritarianism, a characteristic of the region's regimes, including in periods of transition. It examines protests, particularly Islamist ones, and social resistance. The final section focuses on the protest movements of the 2010s, examining the contrasting trajectories of countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Syria, as well as the recent cases of Algeria and Sudan.

International relations, between conflict and attempts at order (Syllabus) - French-taught
P. Droz-Vincent
Organized around major themes, so as to include those who have never tackled IR, those who are new to IR as well as those who are looking for a deeper insight into IR. The themes are also adapted to current events. Logics of power, USA in IR, rise of new players, China in IR, Russia in IR. Classical wars, transformations of wars and civil wars, the return of war to Europe? Ideas, ideologies, democratic transformation of IR, US foreign policy. Intervention and IR, UN or unilateral intervention, neo-cons in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya or Syria. New actors in IR, NGOs in war and pacification. Legalization of IR, international and transitional justice. Religious divides and the fragmentation of world identities.

Cultural policies: the French "model" in the light of international comparisons (Syllabus) - French-taught
L. Marx
Government action in the field of cultural affairs is often seen as a project to bring together as many people as possible in the knowledge and admiration of both our shared historical heritage and contemporary creativity. It can also be seen as a cultural form of the welfare state, proposing to widen access to cultural works and services in a global perspective of equalizing conditions. The aim of this course is to distance ourselves from this ideology of cultural policies. On the contrary, it will show that in this field, as in other areas of public policy, government action is the product of interactions between actors and social groups. Indeed, the history and analysis of the contemporary period show that this field of intervention is a space of powerful material and symbolic struggles. Observable developments are not only the fruit of evolving ideas, but also the result of power struggles between groups with differing visions of the role of public authorities with regard to cultural issues. Examples from various artistic sectors (museums, music, cinema, books, major institutions, etc.) will be examined throughout the course, as well as issues relating to cultural and artistic education and cultural professions.

Gender, Sexuality and Politics (Syllabus) - English-taught
N. Ouedraogo
Today's gender issues are numerous and varied and their political impact widespread. They lead to controversy in private and public contexts, and provide an intersectional concern through which social inequalities can be re-assessed. In this course, different angles will put forward the impact of gender on public policies as well as underline the hierarchy of masculine and feminine stereotyped representations and the impact of biological difference beliefs. The course will provide historical landmarks to help grasp the deconstruction of sex-differences, and will explore some of the queer literature in this field. The course will show how the notion of gender pervades diverse social and political contexts: education (schools, universities, popular education), language policy, the media, art and culture. It will focus on fundamental concepts such as that of "empowerment", without forgetting recurring issues like prostitution, abortion, violence against women, here and elsewhere in the world...

Geoeconomics of international security (Syllabus) - English-taught
F. Coulomb
In 2013, cyber warfare (and thus economic espionage) was placed at the forefront of US security threats by the US administration, faced with the risk of terrorism. This testifies to the multiplicity of the current stakes of international security, which must no longer be considered solely from the political and military point of view, as they were in the Cold War era. The economy is now at the heart of security issues. National security requires the protection of strategic technologies, the securing of raw material supplies, economic counter-espionage, and so on. On the other hand, many past and contemporary conflicts can be analyzed from an economic point of view: what are the economic determinants of civil wars, of external operations? What are the economic benefits of wars, increases in defence budgets, military research and development? What are the strategies of the large multinational arms companies? Which countries are the largest exporters of weapons and to which destinations? Is it the economic logic that drives the privatization of security, with the proliferation of private military companies and the increasing use of mercenaries in conflict? More than ever, in a global economy where defence budgets have been on the increase (excluding Europe) since the late 1990s, the economy is at the center of security issues.

International security challenges, old name: Geopolitics (Syllabus) - English-taught
D. Deschaux-Dutard
This class aims at introducing students to the main questions raised in the field of international security by our contemporary multipolar world. It focusses on understanding the major challenges with international security issues and the players involved. It is based on a multi-faceted approach combining international relations, political science and international sociology. The lectures will mix theoretical aspects and case studies. A first part will focus on the theoretical analysis of international security, from classical to critical theories. A second part will propose an analysis of the main actors involved in today's international security challenges (states, international organizations, NGOs, private military companies...). The third and last part will explore some contemporary international security challenges such as the cyber challenge, technologization of armed conflicts or asymmetric warfare.

The Postcolonial Anglophone World (Syllabus) - English-taught
R. Ivermee
This course focuses on the collapse of the British Empire in the twentieth century and the emergence of the English-speaking nation-states that replaced it in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and elsewhere. First, we will consider the roots of the modern Anglosphere in the period of British global domination, before studying the weakening of British hegemony and the securing of political independence by different countries. Attention then shifts to the postcolonial period, as we examine how countries like South Africa and Australia have developed since independence. Emphasis is placed on how each country has sought to define itself, through processes of nation-building and the construction of new identities, as it has emerged from the shadow of colonial rule. Continuities and ruptures between the colonial and postcolonial periods are examined.

Introduction to journalism (Syllabus) - French-taught
S. Plas
This course provides an introduction to journalism through the discovery of the French media landscape, the main ethical principles governing the profession and the main journalistic formats. It combines theoretical input with a practical introduction to journalistic writing, accompanied by regular follow-up. At the end of the semester, students are given the opportunity to prepare for the journalism school entrance exams, including putting together their portfolio and practicing for the written and oral exams, in order to help them plan their professional career.

State-building in the countries of the Arab Spring (Syllabus) - French-taught
J. Sayah
In both the Maghreb and the Mashreq, the recent revolutions represent a historic sequence of great importance. In some cases, they have enabled people to break away from the old regimes, and in others to suffer the terrible violence of counter-revolution. Whatever the outcome, this event was the source of considerable political and legal upheaval. New regimes were born, while others struggled not to die. This new state of affairs continues to fuel questions and reflections.
This course will focus on the study and analysis of this new configuration in its legal, political and geopolitical dimensions, which will involve a review of the institutional forms and practices of the old regimes. And it is this plurality and diversity that we will seek to grasp, and with them all the differentiations in the evolutionary processes of these regimes.

A little guide to survival at work (Syllabus) - French-taught
L. Labrot
This course aims to prepare students for their entry into the world of work, to which they have had little exposure at university. It covers the basic knowledge needed to understand the rights and duties of employees, whether in the public or private sector, to decipher a pay slip, and to consider setting up one's own business. The course provides an introduction to the major themes of work: the history of salaried employment, labor law, social protection, trade unionism, the operation and creation of companies, public careers, skills, validation of acquired experience, and the social responsibility of organizations. After introductory sessions, students can direct the content towards the themes they wish to study in greater depth, through presentations by professionals, screenings or practical work. This cross-disciplinary course is aimed at all students wishing to gain a better understanding of the current realities of the professional world in France.

Crisis communication (Syllabus) - French-taught
C. Chaussinand
In this course on crisis communication and management, we will explore the key elements for identifying the triggers of a crisis and the different stages of its management. You'll learn how to build an intelligence ecosystem so you're ready to react quickly, plan crisis scenarios and anticipate the reactions of the media and influencers. By acquiring crisis management methods, you will be able to analyze, critique and develop effective communication strategies to manage critical situations with empathy and clarity. The pedagogical objectives are as follows: Identify the triggers of a crisis; Identify the different stages of crisis communication management; Build a monitoring ecosystem, so as to be in a state of alert; Plan a crisis scenario; Memorize and apply the stages and methods of a media/influence anticipation strategy; Acquire and reproduce crisis management methods; Analyze and criticize crisis management;Collect the elements needed to establish the state of play and the consequences of the crisis; Develop a crisis communication strategy.

Othering and State Institutions (Syllabus) - English-taught
J. Bouyat
This course offers a global comparative introduction to the political study of state-sponsored forms of othering, with a particular focus on racism, xenophobia, and sexism. It draws on interdisciplinary theoretical and empirical research in the social sciences-primarily in political science, history, sociology, anthropology, and geography-in order to analyze various processes of othering and to provide both historical and contemporary perspectives on the role of state institutions in the "making and unmaking of the Other." Using a comparative approach, the course highlights the similarities and differences of these processes across various contexts, notably in Europe, North America, and Africa. In doing so, it aims to shift the focus away from dynamics students may be most familiar with and to train them in the methods of Comparative Politics as applied to the study of othering.

Economic Globalization: successes and pitfalls (Syllabus) - English-taught
F. Coulomb
For nearly half a century, the process of economic globalization has profoundly changed national economies and international relations. The financial crisis initiated in 2008 amplified the criticism of global finance, which is inextricably linked to the process of increasing global trade interdependencies. Recent political developments in several parts of the world suggest a trend towards more protectionism and interventionism, while the welfare state model is being challenged in industrialized countries and inequalities are increasing. International institutions and regional agreements aimed at making the world economy more liberal are in crisis (WTO, EU ...). On the other hand, globalization has enabled many regions of the world to emerge from underdevelopment, as well as boost world production and lower prices. Multinational firms have been the driving force behind these transformations, favoring the international division of productive processes and the spread of technologies and know-how. But their tendency to escape taxation through tax evasion as well as their quest for profit which have led to restructuring and relocation have placed them in the firing line. Our course focuses on all these aspects of economic and financial globalization: the role of multinational firms, regional agreements, international institutions, global trade, foreign direct investment, financial markets ... for a better understanding of contemporary political and economic issues.

Interest groups and collective action in EU (Syllabus) - English-taught - CANCELLED-ANNULÉ
S. Saurruger or substitute
The aim of this class is to study the organisation and the functioning of public and private interest groups (such as trade unions, NGOs, business organisations, firms and social movements) in the European Union. We will look both at the establishment of groups as well as their internal and external working methods. Public and private interests contribute to the generation, definition and in particular the perception of issues in the European Union policy making processes. This class will attempt to answer the following questions: Who is represented by interest groups at the EU level? Who intervenes in EU agenda-setting processes? How do problems emerge, and are framed by interest groups in the European Union realm? And finally, are interest groups a danger or a force for the European democratic system? Starting from a conceptual and theoretical approach, analysing interest groups both as a notion and as actors in comparative political systems, we will look in a second part of the class at a number of case studies.

Politics and the environment (formerly Environmental politics) (Syllabus) - English-taught
E. Hathaway
This course offers a critical analysis of how individuals, societies, and governments respond to the socio-ecological complexity caused by the global environmental crisis. As the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss intensify, Western democracies increasingly incorporate environmental concerns into their policymaking, while also facing growing vulnerabilities. The course explores the ideology of ecologism, which emerged in response to these crises, and examines the role of green social movements and political parties in challenging industrialized economic systems. It is divided into two parts: the first focuses on the core ideas and concepts of ecologism; the second examines the main actors, events, and institutions shaping environmental politics nationally and globally. The aim is to understand how the environment has become a central political issue in contemporary democracies.

Women, Power, and Representation (Syllabus) - English-taught
E. Hathaway/A Richard
This interdisciplinary course introduces the study of gendered representation in institutions of power, drawing on feminist theory and research from political science and media studies. It explores the evolution of women's representation and the role of gender within journalism and politics, focusing on Western democracies. Despite progress, women's access to power remains uneven, and gendered norms still shape institutional practices. The course examines how gender influences unequal representation and how recent gains challenge traditional understandings of power. It also questions how women access power, how institutions evolve, and how they contribute to constructing gendered norms.

History of Modern India (Syllabus) - English-taught
R. Ivermee
This course explores the history of modern India from the period of British colonial rule (the "Raj") to the Republic of India today. Emphasis is placed on the definition of India first as a geographical and political space under colonial rule and then, from the late-nineteenth century, as a nation, as the Indian nationalist movement got underway. The ideas and influence of key Indian nationalist leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru are examined, including their embrace of the country's religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity. A key concern of the course is to understand why, when political independence finally arrived in 1947, India was partitioned, with two independent states - India and Pakistan - created. The final two classes consider the creation of the Indian republic and its trajectory since 1950. To what extent does the vision of India held by early nationalist leaders like Gandhi and Nehru survive today?

The French Southern and Antarctic Lands, an exceptional French territory (Syllabus) - French-taught
F. Bonnefoy
The French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises - TAAF) are a French territory "at the end of the world", constituting a sui generis collectivity, created by the law of August 6, 1955. The TAAF, often known to navigators and explorers for their exceptional landscapes and wildlife, are nevertheless little known to the general public. The only French territory without a permanent population, and the only French territory so scattered and vast - stretching from the Indian Ocean to the Antarctic - this collectivity is in fact a territory of exceptions, whether in legal, political, administrative, economic, environmental or operational terms. This unique identity places the TAAF at the crossroads of many local, national, international and global issues. This course will address these specific features and analyze the place of the TAAF in their various ecosystems: History and geography, Economic issues, Geopolitical issues, Environmental issues, Scientific issues.

 

El nacionalismo más allá de los Estados (Syllabus) - Spanish-taught
F. Frasque
Las teorías del nacionalismo y de la construcción de los imaginarios nacionales se establecieron a menudo en el contexto del Estado-nación moderno, dentro del cual la comunidad nacional se confunde con los sujetos del Estado. Sin embargo, la multiplicación de los movimientos regionalistas y/o independentistas dentro de los diferentes países europeos y el desarrollo de las instituciones supranacionales nos invitan a reexaminar hoy la vinculación clásica entre la nación y el Estado. ¿Existen formas de nacionalismo más allá del nivel del Estado? ¿Cómo estas formas nos llevan a revisar nuestro entendimiento del nacionalismo? ¿Cuáles son los conceptos necesarios para llevar a cabo el análisis de las dinámicas sociales y políticas que conllevan la formación de una "comunidad imaginada" tal y como es la nación?
El mundo hispanohablante representa un laboratorio idóneo para estudiar estas transformaciones. Por un lado, España es un territorio marcado por una profunda controversia sobre su carácter plurinacional. En Cataluña, en el País Vasco, o en Galicia, los nacionalismos llamados periféricos coexisten, con más o menos dificultad, con el nacionalismo español. Por otro lado, las preguntas vinculadas con la existencia de "comunidades imaginadas" supraestatales generan también mucho debate en España, no solo porque España pertenece a la Unión europea, sino porque sus dirigentes reivindican y mantienen una vinculación privilegiada con los países castellanohablantes, antiguas colonias españolas. Esta vinculación se celebra cada año durante el "día de la hispanidad", un día festivo particularmente contestado por los movimientos decoloniales. Muchísimos ciudadanos hispanohablantes experimentan así situaciones de competencia nacional, en las que se les proponen varias narrativas nacionalistas.
Después de una breve introducción dedicada a las principales teorías del nacionalismo, este "cours spécialisé" investigará esta cuestión en los niveles estatal, infraestatal y supraestatal en el contexto del mundo hispanohablante. Más allá de la diversidad de temas tratados, cada sesión dará lugar al examen de los vectores de la construcción de la identidad nacional : celebración de mitos fundadores más o menos recientes, elogio de la resistencia frente a la opresión, uso del deporte, consecuencia de la lucha armada, etc.