The Atlantic in International Politics

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of academic writing. Fluency in English and Portuguese.

Teaching Methods

A organização dos tempos letivos pressupõe a existência de tempos de participação ativa e debate com e entre os estudantes. As sessões incluirão momentos expositivos, debates, análise de texto, visionamento de material audiovisual, interação com peritos e decisores, bem como visitas e trabalho de campo. Esta interação é complementada pela orientação tutorial disponível ao estudante, permitindo esclarecer dúvidas, receber orientação para a elaboração de trabalhos e debater temas suscitados no decorrer do semestre.

Learning Outcomes

General objectives:

To know and characterise the main dynamics of change in the social and political space of the Atlantic and to relate these processes to the governance of the common Ocean that connects these communities.

 

Specific objectives:

Understand the sources of stability and instability in the Atlantic

Know the different understandings and governance instruments in force in the Atlantic.

Relate the historical and cultural context of the Atlantic to present patterns of relations  

Identify the main power dynamics around the Atlantic space and relate this to changes in the international order.

 

Competences:

Ability to critically and carefully establish the relationship between concepts, policies and the behaviour of political actors.

Ability to apply the fundamental tools and principles learnt in the discussion of responses/policies to the challenges of ocean governance.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. The historical context of the Atlantic

a. An interdependent and divided ocean

b. An ocean of asymmetries

c. Portugal and the Atlantic

 

2. The Atlantic in international politics

a. Communication routes and strategic access

b. Markets and raw materials

c. The globalisation of transnational criminal activities

d. Regional integration and south-south co-operation

e. Strategic rivalry and armed conflict

 

3. The wider Atlantic

a. The Atlantic seas

b. The connection to the Arctic and Antarctic

c. The Atlantic and the spatial dimension

Head Lecturer(s)

Inês Catarina Pereira da Costa Sousa

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 50.0%
Resolution Problems: 50.0%

Bibliography

Mattheis, Frank and Litsegård, Andréas (eds) (2017), Interregionalism across the Atlantic Space, Cham, Springer.

Teixeira, Nuno Severiano, and Marcos, Daniel (eds.) (2019), Evolving Human Security Challenges in the Atlantic Space. Washington D.C.: Jean Monnet Network on Atlantic Studies,

Bassou, Abdelhak (ed.) (2022) Rapport annuel sur la géopolitique de l’Afrique 2022. Rabat: Policy Centre for the New South.

Duarte, Érico Esteves and Correia de Barros, Manuel (eds.) (2019), Maritime Security Challenges in the South Atlantic. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan

Hamilton, Daniel. S. (ed.) (2015) Atlantic Rising Changing Commercial Dynamics in the Atlantic Basin. Washington D.C.: Center for Transatlantic Relations, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University.

Lees, N. (2021) “The Brandt Line after forty years: The more North–South relations change, the more they

stay the same?” Review of International Studies, 47(1), 85-106.