International Relations and Supranational Institutions

EDOARDO BORIA
MATTEO MARCONI

The course illustrates the most advanced theoretical interpretative tools that have been developed in the tradition of geopolitical thought. In this way, it provides a key to understanding the world's political systems and their geopolitical dynamics by introducing an academic understanding of Geopolitics.
The approach relates “real-world” events to theoretical perspectives understanding Geography as an investigation on the links between politics and space.
Therefore, the specific objectives of the course are the acquisition of critical skills and judgment on geopolitical dynamics.

Specific Dublin descriptors concern:
1. Knowledge and ability to understand political communities in their structure, composition, functionality and dynamics at different spatial scales, from local to global.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding to geopolitical analysis and the preparation of specific interventions.
3. Autonomy of judgement on reporting documents drafted by governments, institutions and other actors in international politics from a multifunctional perspective.
4. Communication skills with professionals in the field of international politics and a broad spectrum of stakeholders also through the acquisition of specific language.
5. Learning skills: an approach of analysis and specific information sources relating to international politics will be conveyed and suggested to the students, enabling them to be autonomous in their educational and professional career.

Possession of adequate knowledge of the basic notions of geography and sufficient familiarity with the use of the geographical atlas is considered.
Passing the "Theories and history of Geopolitics" exam will certify the full possession of the skills needed to tackle the "Methodology for geopolitical analysis" course scheduled for the second year of the master's degree in "International Relations" (LM-52).

After an introduction devoted to the disciplinary framework and the relationship between Geopolitics and related disciplines, the course develops by addressing all the main theorists and currents in the history of geopolitical thought, as well as a number of other influential thinkers who have made significant contributions of ideas and insights to the evolution of this intellectual tradition:
Mackinder, Bowman, Spykman, Air Age, Aron, Fukuyama, Brzezinski, Kissinger, neo-con, Khanna, P. Kennedy, Ipcc, Mahan, Ritter, Ratzel, Haushofer, Schmitt, Bouthoul, Huning, Gramsci, Wallerstein, Lacoste, critical geopolitics, Agamben, jihadism, Vidal de la Blache, Hintze, Jabotinsky, Massi, Semënov-Tjan-Shanskij, Gumilëv, 'Aflaq, al-Qaradawi, al-Sadr, Huntington, Gujral.

Boria E. - Marconi M. (a cura di), Geopolitica, dal pensiero all'azione. Spazio e politica in età contemporanea, Roma, Argos, 2022.
The submission of an oral essay entitles students to a reduced course content, excluding the entire third part of the book (pp. 476-679). This option, which is optional and must be agreed upon in advance, requires regular consultation with the professor.
Students unable to get the textbook may borrow it on a long-term basis from the Department of Political Science Library, which has a good number of books available.

The usual attention that Political Science students devote to international politics makes it possible to constantly solicit them to intervene in the classroom, even in the form of debates and discussions. In this way the ability to apply the acquired knowledge is facilitated.
The lectures may then go with other didactic experiences (open debates, seminars, meetings with authors on recently published books, group and individual research activities) useful to bring the theoretical knowledge acquired so far into the concrete geopolitical situation.

Attending the lessons is not compulsory and the teacher does not make any difference between attending and non-attending students. However, from what has been said it is clear that attending is a very useful aid to the best direct acquisition of the theories and history of Geopolitics.

Attending the lessons is not compulsory and the teachers do not make any difference between attending and non-attending students. However, from what has been said it is clear that attending is a very useful aid to the best direct acquisition of the theories and history of Geopolitics.

The testing of skills and abilities will take the form of an oral discussion. This final examination lasts approximately 30 minutes and consists of questions relating to the theorists and currents of geopolitical thought addressed in the programme.
Those who wish to avail themselves of the reduction of the programme by submitting an oral presentation are also entitled to be assessed on the basis of the results of this research activity.

analyze Nicholas Spykman's Rimland theory
- describe the cultural atmosphere within which the current of Eurasianism developed and evaluate its influences on Russia's foreign policy lines
- define the concept of "strategic strait"