Duration
30h SEM
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The Seminar on International Relations aims to explore and deepen some contemporary issues in international relations.
This year, the seminar is structured around a central theme: 'Towards a Reshaping of Global Power: Poles of Power, Strategies, and Global Order'
The seminar is divided into three groups. At the head of each group is a supervisor responsible for a particular theme. Students therefore have the possibility between several themes. The seminar will analyse and deepen several concepts such as: power, rising power, multipolarity, apolarity, multilateralism, world order, foreign policy, hedging ...
The student will also have the opportunity to expand her/his knowledge in a particular geographical area of her/his choice/ a theme of her/his choice or among those proposed.
The three groups of the seminar are:
- (1) Emerging powers and the Global South in the reshaping of global power
- (2) US Foreign Policy in a Multipolar World: actors, issues and influences
- (3) Europe and African emergences: reshaping power dynamics and geopolitical stakes
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
This seminar gives students the opportunity to delve deeper into a theme of international relations covered in other courses such as Introduction to International Relations, Theories of International Relations, etc.
At the end of this seminar, the student will be able to carry out a research on a particular issue by mobilizing the specific tools of the discipline. The student will also have learned how to communicate the results of her/his research both orally and in writing.
Finally, they will have developed their critical skills by taking on the role of discussant, enabling them to constructively analyze, comment on, and debate the research papers presented by their peers.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Students need to have some empirical and theoretical knowledge in international relations.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures
Text readings
Depending on the group: guest lectures by external experts following the readings
Oral presentation, written work and role of discussant.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
1. The first part of the teaching takes place in the form of a limited ex-cathedra lectures (two or three sessions). The number of courses is limited to one or two sessions.
2. Afterwards, two or three reading sessions will be organized.
2b. Depending on the group, these sessions may be extended by a guest lecture from an external speaker on a specific topic, followed by a discussion with the students.
3. The last part of the course will be intended for oral presentations by students on a specific theme.
Please note: This is a political science seminar led by the logic of progressive learning. Therefore, the presence and active participation of students are required throughout the semester.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège
Further information:
Students will receive a portfolio of required readings at the beginning of the seminar.
Written work / report
Further information:
The year when the Seminar is not given, the students who are obliged, because of repechage, to represent the Seminar, must write a written paper proposing an original reflection based on a research question linked to the topic of the Seminar.
The lenght of the written paper must be around 12 to 13 pages, line spacing 1.5, Times New Roman font. The work must be sourced and include a bibliography of at least 15 to 20 scientific sources.
The topic of the assignment must be decided in consultation with the superviser who led the group the student was enrolled in last year.
Submission of the paper to office R.73:
-
1st session: December 18, 2026
- 2nd session: August 16, 2027
ATTENTION:
1. Documentation of the Work Development Process
The following elements must be included in the appendices to the paper and submitted together with it, in accordance with the submission procedures set out in the general guidelines. Each category of documents must be clearly identified by a separate appendix title.
1.1. Record of Interactions with AI:
If generative artificial intelligence tools are used, students must retain and include in the appendices the relevant exchanges with these tools, as well as the prompts used. They must also explicitly declare in their work which tools were used and the nature of their intervention.
1.2. Research and Structuring Notes:
Students must include in the appendices their reading notes, summary sheets on the key authors referred to in their bibliography, as well as intermediate drafts that contributed to the development of the table of contents, the outline, and the writing of the paper.
1.3. Development of Personal Reflection:
Students must include in the appendices a short personal text of no more than half an A4 page presenting the development of their thinking and the main stages of the process that led to the final work. The purpose is to provide a clear and personal account of the main stages in the development of the work.
2. Oral Defense of the Paper
The paper will be followed by an individual oral defense in January.
Students must be able to personally explain and defend their research question, sources, argumentation, conclusions, and the main choices made throughout the development of their paper.
PLEASE REFER TO THE COMPLETE GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS IN THE "COURSE MATERIALS" SECTION.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
To succeed in the seminar it is highly recommended to attend the course.
If the student is absent three times, without a valid and official reason, he will not be able to submit his paper in the first examination session. He will have to wait until august to deposit its written work.
The passive knowledge of English is necessary.
Introduction of new procedures for monitoring and assessing the process of developing the papers, including the submission of records of the preparatory work and an individual oral defense in January (see above, "Assessment Methods and Criteria").
Contacts
Holder:
- professor Sebastian Santander, Center for International Relations Studies (CEFIR), B31, niveau 0, Bureau R.71 ; Tel. : 043 66 30 46, sebastian.santander@uliege.be
Assistants:
- Vincent Bricart, CEFIR, B31, niveau 0, Bureau R.73 ; Tel. : 043 66 42 59, v.bricart@uliege.be
- Alex Arnoldy, CEFIR, B31, niveau 0, Bureau R.73 ; Tel. : 043 66 42 59, Alex.Arnoldy@uliege.be
Association of one or more MOOCs
Items online
Guidelines on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools in the International Relations Sem
Guidelines on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools in the International Relations Seminar (SPOL2226) :
1. Personal intellectual work
2. Transparency regarding the use of AI
3. Explanation of the work development process
4. Record of interactions with AI tools
5. Notes and preparatory documents
6. Verification of information, references, and citations
7. Individual oral examination
8. Student responsibility
9. Submission requirements