Specialized courses (CS)

Administrative Law (Syllabus)
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)
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, because, paradoxically, "non-interference" and "the reserved domain", two fundamental principles of international law, remain to this day a bulwark leaving the State, as the principal subject of this law, free scope for action 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)
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, film 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)
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)
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 fabric 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)
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 remains to be clarified is what this means.
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'll 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. 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)
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)
F. Petiteville

War is an expression of organized violence from which civilian populations can rarely escape. The mass slaughter of civilians in war is prohibited by the traditional ethic of "just war" and by international humanitarian law. However, this controversial issue often remains theoretical. It becomes less abstract when it is supported by images, photos and documentaries that are widely disseminated in all contemporary wars. This course, consisting of 9 sessions, is based precisely on the hypothesis that visual emotions are necessary to become aware of the fundamental immorality of violent acts targeting civilians during war. Sessions are based on the collective viewing (students and teacher in class) of documentaries on major contemporary wars: Vietnam, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine and Gaza. Each case study is first introduced by the teacher to provide a geopolitical context. This is followed by a teacher-led debate on the arguments of just war theory and international humanitarian law.

Middle East: States, authoritarianism and political recompositions after 2011 (Syllabus)
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)
P. Droz-Vincent

Organized around major themes, this course is designed to integrate those who have never studied IR before, those who are new to IR and those who are looking for a deeper understanding of 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)
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 a shared knowledge and admiration of both our common 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)
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)
F. Coulomb

In 2013, cyberwarfare (and therefore economic espionage) was placed at the top of the list of threats to US security by the US administration, alongside the risk of terrorism. This illustrates the multiplicity of current international security challenges, which can no longer be viewed solely from a political and military angle, as in the Cold War era. The economy is now at the heart of security issues. National security involves protecting strategic technologies, securing supplies of raw materials, combating economic espionage and so on. Moreover, many past and contemporary conflicts can be analyzed from an economic angle: what are the economic determinants of civil wars or foreign interventions? What are the economic benefits of wars, increased defense budgets and military research and development? What are the strategies of the major multinational arms companies? Which countries are the biggest arms exporters, and to which destinations? Is economic logic behind the growing privatization of security, with the proliferation of private military companies and the increasing use of mercenaries in conflicts? More than ever, in a globalized economy where defense budgets (outside Europe) have been on the rise since the late 1990s, the economy is at the heart of security issues.

International security challenges, old name: Geopolitics (Syllabus)
D. Deschaux-Dutard

This course aims to introduce students to the main issues raised in the field of international security in the contemporary multipolar context. It focuses on understanding the major issues at stake in international security and the actors involved. It is based on a multidisciplinary approach combining international relations, political science and international sociology. Sessions will combine theoretical aspects with case studies. The first part will be devoted to a theoretical analysis of international security, ranging from classical theories to critical approaches. The second part will offer an analysis of the main players involved in today's international security challenges (states, international organizations, NGOs, private military companies, etc.). The third and final part will explore some of the contemporary challenges to international security, such as cyberthreats, the technologization of armed conflict and asymmetric warfare.

The Postcolonial Anglophone World (Syllabus)
R. Ivermee

This course focuses on the collapse of the British Empire in the 20th century and the emergence of the Anglophone nation-states that replaced it in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and elsewhere. We begin by examining the roots of the modern English-speaking sphere during Britain's period of global domination, before analyzing the weakening of British hegemony and the acquisition of political independence by various countries. Attention then turns to the post-colonial period, examining how countries such as South Africa and Australia have developed since independence. The focus is on how each country has sought to define itself, through processes of national construction and the creation of new identities, by emerging from the shadow of colonial domination. Continuities and ruptures between the colonial and post-colonial periods will be analyzed.

Introduction to journalism (Syllabus)
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)
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 with old regimes, while in others they have been subjected to 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)
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, or 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)
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)
J. Bouyat

This course offers a comprehensive 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 - principally political science, history, sociology, anthropology and geography - to analyze various processes of othering, offering both a historical and contemporary perspective on the role of state institutions in the "making and deconstruction of the Other". Adopting a comparative approach, the course highlights the similarities and differences of these processes across various contexts, notably in Europe, North America and Africa. In so doing, it aims to decentralize students' gaze from familiar dynamics and train them in the methods of comparative politics applied to the study of alterization.

Economic Globalization: successes and pitfalls (Syllabus)
F. Coulomb

For almost half a century, the process of economic globalization has profoundly transformed national economies and international relations. The financial crisis triggered in 2008 has amplified criticism of global finance, which is closely linked to the growing interdependence of trade on a global scale. Recent political developments in many parts of the world point to a return to protectionism and interventionism, while the welfare state model is being called into question in industrialized countries, and inequalities are increasing. International institutions and regional agreements designed to liberalize the world economy are in crisis (WTO, EU, etc.). On the other hand, globalization has enabled many regions of the world to emerge from underdevelopment, boosting world production and driving down prices. Multinational firms have been the driving force behind these transformations, promoting the international division of production processes and the spread of technology and know-how. But their tendency to evade taxes through tax avoidance, as well as their quest for profit, which has led to restructuring and relocation, has brought them under fire. This course covers all these dimensions of economic and financial globalization: the role of multinational firms, regional agreements, international institutions, world trade, foreign direct investment, financial markets... in order to better understand contemporary political and economic issues.

Interest groups and collective action in EU (Syllabus)
S. Saurruger or substitute

The aim of this course is to study the organization and functioning of public and private interest groups (such as trade unions, NGOs, employers' organizations, companies and social movements) within the European Union. We will examine both the creation of these groups and their internal and external modes of operation. Public and private interests contribute to the production, definition and, above all, the perception of issues in the European Union's policy-making processes. This course will seek to answer the following questions: who is represented by interest groups at European level? Who intervenes in EU agenda-setting processes? How do issues emerge and are they framed by interest groups in the European arena? And finally, do interest groups represent a danger or a strength for the European democratic system? Starting from a conceptual and theoretical approach, analyzing interest groups both as a notion and as actors in comparative political systems, we will then turn to a number of case studies.

Politics and the environment (formerly Environmental politics) (Syllabus)
E. Hathaway

This course offers a critical analysis of the responses of individuals, societies and governments to the socio-ecological complexity generated by the global environmental crisis. As the effects of climate change and the collapse of biodiversity intensify, Western democracies are increasingly integrating ecological issues into their policies, while facing growing vulnerabilities. The course explores the ideology of environmentalism, born in reaction to these crises, and focuses on green social movements and political parties that are challenging the foundations of industrialized economies. It is structured in two parts: the first is devoted to the key ideas and concepts of ecologism; the second examines the actors, events and institutions shaping environmental politics on a national and international scale. The aim is to understand how the environment is becoming a structuring political issue in contemporary democracies.

Women, Power, and Representation (Syllabus)
E. Hathaway/A Richard

This interdisciplinary course introduces the study of gendered representation in institutions of power, drawing on feminist theory and research in political science and media studies. It examines the evolution of women's representation and the role of gender in journalism and politics, focusing on Western democracies. Despite advances, women's access to spheres of power remains unequal, and gendered norms persist in institutional practices. The course analyzes how gender shapes the unequal representation of women, and how recent advances are challenging our conceptions of power. It also examines the mechanisms of women's access to power, the evolution of institutions, and the ways in which they contribute to the construction of gendered norms.

History of Modern India (Syllabus)
R. Ivermee

This course explores the history of modern India, from the period of British colonial rule (the "Raj") to the present-day Republic of India. The focus is on how India was defined, first as a geographical and political space under colonial rule, and then, from the late 19th century onwards, as a nation, with the beginning of the Indian nationalist movement. The ideas and influence of key figures in Indian nationalism, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, are examined, including their embrace of the country's religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity. A central question of the course is why, when political independence finally arrived in 1947, India was divided, with the creation of two independent states - India and Pakistan. The last two sessions focus on the creation of the Indian Republic and its evolution since 1950. To what extent does the vision of India espoused by early nationalist leaders such as Gandhi and Nehru endure today?

The French Southern and Antarctic Lands, an exceptional French territory (Syllabus)
F. Bonnefoy

The French Southern and Antarctic Lands are a French territory "at the end of the world", constituting a sui generis collectivity, created by the law of August 6, 1955. The TAAFs, 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 its various ecosystems: History and geography, Economic issues, Geopolitical issues, Environmental issues, Scientific issues.

 

El nacionalismo más allá de los Estados (Syllabus)
F. Frasque

Theories on nationalism and the construction of national imaginaries have most often been established in the context of the modern nation-state, where the national community merges with the subjects of the state. However, the proliferation of regionalist and/or independence movements in various European countries, on the one hand, and the rise of supranational institutions, on the other, call for a rethinking of the now classic association between state and nation. Are there forms of nationalism beyond the state level? In what way do they call on us to revise our understanding of nationalism? And what concepts are useful for analyzing the social and political dynamics that preside over the Education the "imagined community" that is the nation?
The Spanish-speaking world provides an ideal laboratory for studying these developments. On the one hand, Spain is a territory marked by profound debate over its plurinational character. In Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, so-called peripheral nationalisms coexist more or less peacefully with Spanish nationalism. On the other hand, Spain is troubled by questions linked to the existence of supra-state "imagined communities", not only because it is a member of the European Union, but because its leaders claim and maintain a privileged link with Castilian-speaking countries, former Spanish colonies, notably celebrated on "Hispanic Day" - a public holiday particularly contested by decolonial movements. Many Spanish-speaking individuals thus experience situations of national competition, where several nationalist narratives are available to them.
After an introduction to the main theories of nationalism, this specialized course will explore this question at state, infra-state and supra-state levels in the context of the Spanish-speaking world. In addition to variations in thematic objects, each session will also be an opportunity to examine the vectors of national identity construction: celebration of more or less recent founding myths, praise of resistance to oppression, use of sport, impact of armed struggle, etc...