Descriptif
Politics shapes many of the major challenges facing contemporary societies, from climate change and technological innovation to economic development, public health, and international security. Yet political decisions often appear difficult to understand, and public debates are increasingly marked by polarization, mistrust, and misinformation.
This course provides students with the tools to better understand how political systems operate, how public opinion is formed, and how collective decisions are made. Through real-world examples and contemporary case studies, students will explore topics such as democracy, elections, political participation, the role of the media, social movements, environmental politics, and the governance of emerging technologies.
The course is designed for students with no prior background in political science and emphasizes practical applications rather than theoretical specialization. By the end of the semester, students will be able to critically analyze political developments and better understand the forces shaping public debate and policymaking.
Diplôme(s) concerné(s)
Pour les étudiants du diplôme Bachelor of Science de l'Ecole polytechnique
None
Format des notes
Littérale/grade américain Numérique sur 20Pour les étudiants du diplôme Bachelor of Science de l'Ecole polytechnique
Vos modalités d'acquisition :
Assessment 1: Midterm examination (40%)
In-class written examination covering the first half of the course. The exam will assess students’ understanding of key concepts, contemporary political issues, and their ability to analyze political documents and data.
Assessment 2: Group presentation (20%)
Students will work in small groups to analyze a contemporary political issue related to the themes discussed during the course. Topics may include climate policy, artificial intelligence governance, political communication, elections, social movements, or international affairs. Each group will deliver a 10–15 minutes presentation followed by a discussion with the class.
Assessment 3: Final examination (40%)
In-class written examination covering the second half of the course. The exam will combine questions on course material with the analysis of contemporary political developments, documents, and case studies.
Make-up assignment
Individual essay to be submitted via Turnitin on Moodle.
Le rattrapage est autorisé (Note de rattrapage conservée)- le rattrapage est obligatoire si :
- Note initiale <
- le rattrapage peut être demandé par l'étudiant si :
- Note initiale <
- Crédits ECTS acquis : 2 ECTS
La note obtenue rentre dans le calcul de votre GPA.
