Insegnamento a.a. 2025-2026

The course will be divided in two main sections. The first part will examine the main structures and actors of the international and global system, by focusing on key
concepts and approaches of IR and security studies, providing students with a general theoretical background.

The second part will delve into specific topics, engaging students in critical debates on current trends and global challenges: human security, food security, migration, development, health, the protection of cultural heritage in conflict zones, identity politics, and climate security. 

First part
Concepts 
(Global, International, Nation-State…)
Approaches 
(Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Post-positivism…)
Structures and Actors 
(UN, EU, NATO, SCO…)

Second part

Current Trends and key topics

•    “Security is war”/ Security and peace
•    The architecture of European Security
•    The securitization of migration
•    Human security and the Responsibility to Protect
•    Women, peace and security
•    Health insecurity: a new global threat?
•    The Politics of food (in)security
•    The protection of cultural heritage in contexts of conflicts, post-conflicts and crises
•    Climate security in the Anthropocene
•    AI, technology and the security of algorithms 

•    Become familiar with the main topics of international relations and security studies from a theoretical and critical perspective;
•    Identify the main theoretical and practical fields related to international political affairs;
•    Analyse academic articles from journals of political theory and international relations as well as policy briefs and international reports with regard to the current political affairs;
•    Evaluate and compare different theories and case studies within the field of international relations and security studies;
•    Become familiar with the main structures and actors of the international and global system (UN, EU...)
 

• Develop analytical written communication skills in the field of IR and security studies;
• Present and discuss a case study in the field of security studies both in-group and individually through in-class presentations;
• Improve teamwork and oral communication skills;
• Develop critical skills through class debates
   

• Lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Collaborative Works / Assignments
• Interaction/Gamification

Lectures

Lectures will permit to analyse the main concepts, theories, and aspects of the course.  Most lectures will be followed by interactive sessions (seminars) permitting to apply the acquired knowledge. They will focus on contemporary case studies and on the analysis of texts/articles, engaging students in active class debates. 

Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)

Professionals or scholars with a specific expertise will share their professional/technical experience with students. This will permit to enrich the course content with a more in-depth approach or with a policy-oriented analysis.

Collaborative Works / Assignments

Every student will participate in a collaborative work through an in-class group presentation. This will enable students to improve planning, communication and teamwork skills.

Interaction / Gamification

Interaction is considered primordial in this course. Students are expected to actively participate in class debates and share their analysis with their peers individually and in group

• An in-class group presentation (30%) aimed to assess the students’ skills to present and discuss a case study or an article related to the topic of security

Each student belonging to the same group will receive the same mark. If a student fails to attend her/his group presentation, she/he will receive an individual mark of zero for this part of the course’s assessment. This will not affect the mark of the group members who deliver the presentation.

• A partial written exam (30%) aimed to test the students’ ability to critically analyse a topic of the course.

• A final oral exam (40%) aimed to assess the students’ critical and analytical skills related to the entire term on the basis of all sessions and reading materials 
   

• A written exam 100%  aimed to test the students’ ability to critically analyse a topic of the course on the basis of all sessions and reading materials 

Teaching materials will be published in the syllabus

Teaching materials will be published in the syllabus