DSPO 22A18 - Ocean-Climate Security in the IndoPacific

This course aims at giving a first overview of challenges at stakes in the IndoPacific region with regards to climate change. After a first session deepdiving into climate change's physics, the course will explore the various consequences of ocean modifications on human societies, with a particular focus on geopolitical and security matters. At the crossroads of climate geopolitics and ocean affairs, this course will provide key analytical tools to apprehend political and defense issues in the Indopacific area. Students will learn about key stakeholders, understanding their motives and their influence, mapping out interdependencies. Throughout the class, they get to understand more thoroughly climate change and to challenge current geopolitical stakes in light of natural sciences' forecasts. To enable such analysis, some parts of the class will be devoted to rapid natural sciences' introductions. Emphasis is put on mechanisms, and students will be asked to sum up what they understood after each session, in a interactive way.

Julia TASSE,Juliette KON KAM KING

Séminaire

English

Autumn 2025-2026

To validate the course, the student is expected to pass the following assignments: 1°) A final paper realized on-site during the last session – 60% of the grade 2°) Verbal recaps – assigned randomly during each class – 30% of the grade 3°) Participation during debates – 10% of the grade

At the end of the course, the student is expected to : 1°) Gain of solid and broad understanding of the ocean-climate-human nexus, from climate phenomena to socio-economics (both quantitatively and qualitatively) thanks to a introductory class on climate sciences, and various approaches of ocean affairs and climate change impacts on local populations. 2°) Be able to identify and assess security risks in coming decades related to climate change impacts on societies in the IndoPacific region. 3°) Improve oral presentation skills, through oral presentation and debates.