K2SP 2065 - Cultural issues in international affairs

This course aims to provide a framework for understanding how to approach cultural issues in contemporary international affairs. Subject to dynamics of both conflict and cooperation, shaped by the influence of memory, and increasingly incorporated into states' foreign policies through aspirations for inclusion, these issues are marked by a series of transformations that must be taken into account. Cultural diplomacy conducted by state powers, as well as cultural initiatives undertaken by the private sector and civil societies, are evolving in response to various factors—particularly the heterogeneity of the international system, shaped by ideological divides (such as the opposition between authoritarian regimes and democracies, and the rise of illiberalisms), as well as decolonial and post-Western claims. The course is structured around three key stages, conceived as a progression: from historical reference points in international relations, to the characteristics of cultural relations (both formal and informal) within the international system, and finally to some selected countries’ cultural engagement in the international realm.

• Acquisition of key concepts
• Major turning points of diplomatic history
• International system: heterogeneity vs homogeneity; polarization (unipolarity, bipolarity, multipolarity)
• Functions of diplomacy
• Global governance
• Acquisition of methodologies
• Acquisition of skills

The course does not have any pre-requisite.

The first part of the course will have a more lecture style in order to allow students to be exposed to the key concepts and dynamics. The second part will move towards a more interactive style.

Students will be asked to:

• write one written test (in class) after the first 6 sessions (short-answer questions) (40%);
• work in pairs to write a paper (5000 words) on a cultural experience you had during the semester through the lens of cultural cooperation from an international viewpoint (40% of the final grade). You will need to submit an outline of the paper (1 page max) by mid-semester (date to be confirmed). Here are the grading criteria for the paper:
• Consistency of the arguments
• Style
• Use of the concepts presented in class
• Description of the cultural experience
• write a press release concerning the conference organized during the last session (20%)
• Criteria

• Readings will be shared with students before each new theme.