This concise 60-minute course offers a rapid yet comprehensive exploration of France's political landscape. Delve into the unique architecture of the Fifth Republic, examining the interplay between its key institutions: the Presidency, Parliament, and Constitutional Council. We will uncover the nuances of its semi-presidential system, analyzing how executive power is wielded and constrained. The course will also touch upon the evolution of the French party system and the challenges it faces today, from cohabitation to the rise of new political forces. By the end of this session, participants will have a clear understanding of the fundamental principles and dynamic forces shaping French politics.

This 60-minute course examines the pivotal role of France's crippling public debt in the lead-up to the 1789 Revolution. We will explore how decades of costly wars left the monarchy fiscally insolvent. The course will reveal how the Crown's attempts to reform the tax system—and extend taxation to the privileged nobility and clergy—sparked a political showdown. We will analyze how the aristocracy’s refusal to sacrifice its fiscal exemptions created a constitutional deadlock, forcing the king to convene the Estates-General for the first time in over 150 years. Ultimately, this course demonstrates that the financial crisis was not merely an economic problem, but a deeply political one that catalyzed the collapse of the Ancien Régime. (based on academic research)

Ce cours de 20 heures (10x2 heures), propose à la fois une introduction à l'histoire politique française et européenne (notion d'État de droit, Révolutions, système représentatif), et une introduction détaillée à la 5e République (histoire, Président, Assemblée Nationale, Conseil constitutionnel, organisation administrative du territoire décentralisée et déconcentrée, autorités administratives indépendantes...). En dernière heure, une présentation du paysage politique parti par parti s'il reste du temps. Ce cours s'adresse aux étudiants francophones, en science politique, communication et journalisme, ou toute personne souhaitant mieux comprendre le jeu institutionnel français. Les questions et interventions peuvent avoir lieu en anglais.

This 60-minute course provides a concise overview of the Ukrainian conflicts since 2014, exploring their complex recent history and deep-seated roots. We will begin by examining the immediate catalysts: the Euromaidan Revolution, Russia's annexation of Crimea, and the initial outbreak of conflict in the Donbas. The course will delve into the intertwined political, historical, and geopolitical factors that underpin the ongoing hostilities, including Ukraine's pursuit of closer ties with the European Union and NATO, Russia's security concerns and imperial ambitions, and the historical narratives shaping national identities. We will trace the evolution of the conflict from the initial phase in Donbas to the full-scale invasion in 2022, analyzing key events, international responses, and the devastating humanitarian consequences. By the end, participants will gain a clearer understanding of the multifaceted origins and trajectory of the Ukrainian wars.