DAFF 25A59 - From Maritime Security to Sea Studies: oceans maritime spaces & islands news territories of int sec

The sea and oceans are becoming topics of significant importance on the global security

agenda and as an innovative field of research for social sciences although “Sea Studies” can

be seen as an area of research “in the making”.

This seminar course sets out to introduce key issues of pertinence in Maritime Security and

geopolitics of the Sea. It demonstrates why the maritime domain is a space of great strategic

interest, and how threats to security at sea have a real impact for states and people around the

world. It explores a myriad of threats to security playing out at sea, while also looking at some

of the mechanisms, tools, strategies and key-actors involved in addressing these challenges.

Each session provides an overview of the issue it discusses and considers regional case

studies as an illustration.

This approach adopts a multidisciplinary perspective with interrelated considerations coming

from very various fields of research (political science, international relations, social

anthropology, political economy, international law, history) but also lessons learned coming

from practitioners, as well as policymakers enabling students to develop a comprehensive and

better-informed understanding of debates and developments related to maritime security

issues.

Master the conceptual foundations of international relations (attributes of the state, IR theories,

concept of security) have an interest in maritime and geopolitical issues

This course will be an interactive seminar. Students are expected to do the readings before the

sessions in order to participate actively.

Requirements:

• A 15 min oral presentation on a maritime security topic of the student’s choice (chosen on a

list provided by the instructor), followed by a 10 mn discussion with the group. 50% of the grade

• Writing test at the end of the semester (mid-April class sessions) l). The student will have to

answer to 5 questions

• Active participation in debate and discussions in class. 10 % of the grade