Geopolitics: Power, Strategy, and World Order

About

"Our summer school is proudly celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! Over the past decade, we've welcomed more than 1,000 students from around the world to dozens of enriching summer courses. Become a part of our vibrant Alumni community!"

Geopolitics: Power, Strategy, and World Order
In an increasingly competitive world, geopolitics plays a crucial role in studying economic trends as well as a changing political World Order. This course provides an in-depth exploration of the forces that drive international relations, strategic rivalries, and global power shifts. Going beyond the daily news, this course offers a comprehensive understanding of how geography, resources, technology, and political ideologies influence global decision-making, based on scientific theories of international relations. Through historical analysis, contemporary case studies, and strategic simulations, students will get a thorough introduction into this field

Course leader

Jacques Bazen - is a senior lecturer of International Economics & Intercultural Communication and Negotiation at the department for Industrial Engineering & Management and research fellow at the research group on Regional Economic Development at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in Enschede, the Netherlands.

Target group

Young professionals and university students with intermediate level of English

Course aim

Acquired skills:

-Global awareness:
Understanding current conflicts and their backgrounds is helpful for everyone working in an international setting, travelling or engaging in political debates to tackle biased information and conspiracy theories
-Critical thinking:
Understanding the motives behind international economic policies as well as global events and seemingly “irrational” political decisions. It helps to distinguish between objective and biased information (“fake news”) and therefore helps to make better informed decisions.
-Strategic analysis:
Understanding and evaluating risks and the anticipation of global power shifts as well as the impact of such changes, not just on countries/governments, but also on for example international businesses, the energy industry and the security industry.
-Negotiation and diplomacy skills:
Understanding global power dynamics helps in dealing with cultural differences, international trade negotiations and conflict resolutions.

Schedule

Day 1
Introduction to Geopolitics. During the first day we will discuss several classical geopolitical theories and introduction of the practical assignment for completing the course
Day 2
In-depth study of one of the recent/current geopolitical crises.
Day 3
Key concepts of Geopolitics, from traditional Balance of Power and Realpolitik to Hegemony.
Day 4
Global Dominance, consequences for the world.
Day 5
Key Actors in the modern World Order & Economic Geopolitics.
Day 6
From Nation-States to power blocks and deglobalization.
Day 7
Regional power dynamics & Geopolitical hotspots.
Day 8
Travelling throughout the world, but then different: integration & fragmentation.
Day 9
Geopolitics of Energy and Resources
Day 10
Presentations of the in-depth study

Course is running: Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 14:00

Literature
• Kennedy, Paul (1987), Rise and fall of the great powers: Economic Change And Military Conflict From 1500-2000, New York: Random House
• Daalder, Ivo & James M. Lindsay (2018), The Empty Throne: America's Abdication of Global Leadership, New York: Public Affairs
• Marshall, Tim (2021), The Power of Geography: Ten Maps that Reveal the Future of Our World, London: Elliott & Thompson
• Kissinger, Henry (2014), World Order, New York: Penguin House
• Owens, Patricia, John Baylis & Steve Smith (2024), The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations (9th ed), Oxford: Oxford University Press

Fee info

Early bird fee 900EUR until 31.12.2025