search the website http://www.seasonal-schools.org

Objectives

The Global Politics Seasonal Schools aim at enabling students to analyze issues in global politics in the 21st century. To this end, students explore the fundamental changes taking place in international relations, such as the acceleration of globalization processes, the shrinking sovereignty of nations, and the increasing relevance of international regimes and organizations. 

This focus on global politics seeks to encompass the new realities of political study in a world increasingly influenced and changed by globalization. Rather than simply focusing on political interactions between nations, the Seasonal Schools promote the consideration and study of numerous emerging and non-traditional actors in global politics.

Furthermore, the project partners encourage the participants to question the existing body of International Relations theory and to critically assess its potential for analyzing today's world. Starting from this discussion, students are encouraged to develop awareness for the importance of cooperative relations in international politics and to develop new problem-solving strategies, in particular with regard to the role of multilateral institutions in coping with new and emerging global challenges.

This analytical stance further allows students to learn more about current developments in global politics, including, for example, the role of media in international politics, conflicts in Asia, European integration, and international environmental policy. For each of the topics, the Global Politics Seasonal Schools introduce the relevant actors and institutions and fosters students' understanding of the complex negotiation processes involved.

On a practical level, the Global Politics Seasonal Schools advance the students' ability to give presentations, contribute to academic discussions, design research questions and to write analytical papers.