Aims

The objective of this course is to teach students to use their knowledge critically to decode and analyse modern political issues and problems. Students will receive training in this form of critical thinking and in how to construct a solid analysis (in the form of a written communication) and present it in public (by means of an oral presentation).

Main themes

Each year, the teaching team (professors and assistants; rotation each year) selects a limited number of issues related to current political affairs, in order to draw up sub-groups.
The seminar has five distinct steps, in each sub-group:
1. Presentation, by a teacher, of written documentation (various sources, including media and more scientific analyses) to introduce the issue.
2. Possible intervention of a range of experts: UCL research workers and teachers (internal or external to the Faculty) and external experts (chosen according to the issue: journalists, people within the field, etc.).
3. Sessions spent consulting and discussing with the teacher.
4. Small group work: preparation of a piece of written work, which also requires additional information search.
5. Students come together (oral presentation followed by a debate).

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisite: Political Science
Course materials: a file of introductory reading and practical guidelines on how to produce a piece of written work.
Evaluation: There are two aspects to the evaluation: a written examination and an oral presentation.