GEOPOLITICS, POPULATION AND TECHNOLOGY

- Understand the interrelation among geopolitical scenarios, demographic dynamics, and technological innovation. - Provide classes focused on case studies to analyse these interrelated topics in different geographical contexts.

No specific requirements.

- Knowledge and understanding The students – through course attendance and practical activities – will become familiar with the principles of geopolitics, demography, and new technologies as well as their interrelations. They will acquire an in-depth knowledge of the main geopolitical processes related to population and technology trends ongoing at a global level. Assessments will take place during the course through a written midterm test, including questions on the most technical contents, and a written final paper on specific case studies. - Applying knowledge and understanding Student will be able to interconnect major course concepts with States' and non-state actors’ strategies and governance, economy, security, and environmental trends. They will be able to identify and critically address issues linked to geopolitics, population, and technology and to propose potential sustainable solutions. - Making judgments Students will acquire analytical skills that will allow them to understand and discuss critically contemporary research on geopolitics and technology. They will learn how to investigate the main technological phenomena and their connections with political, economic, and demographic issues. By using the methods learned during the course, students will be able to select the most appropriate data, literature, and materials among the available sources. They will be able to evaluate quality and reliability of data and materials independently and to critically analyse their application according to the analytical needs. - Communication skills By the end of the course, students will be able to address with clarity, accuracy, and methodological consistency the different challenges posed by new technologies in different geopolitical scenarios. Through the various activities that will take place during the course – lectures, debates, group works – students will be able to practice their communication skills in various contexts. They will learn to adapt the terms used to the specific context, thus gaining advanced rhetorical skills needed for their professional career. - Learning skills By putting into practice the methodologies learned during lectures and seminars, students will be able to elaborate on different technological issues and to conduct research by consulting specialist texts and journals. They will develop a strong knowledge of the fundamental aspects of the. new technologies and the related geopolitical and demographic challenges. They will be able also to carry on independent critical research on the course topics as well as to undertake different postgraduate training activities including the course subjects.

First part: basic concepts 1) From classical geopolitics to tech geopolitics 2) Why population matters 3) The evolution of technology Second part: actors and factors 4) Geopolitics and technological change: Great powers competition in the innovation era 5) Along came the non-state: big companies, tech NGOs, and cyberterrorists in the age of new technologies 6) Geography still matters in new technologies: gas, oil and, rare earths 7) Tech society dilemmas: digital economy, information age, and neurosciences 8) From the cloud to the concrete: A.I., smart cities, and environmental engineering Third part: geographical contexts 9) The divided West: Europe and North America facing the fifth industrial revolution 10) Population (still) matters: demography and technology in contemporary Eurasia 11) Of youth bulge and high hopes: how new technologies are reshaping contemporary Africa 12) Pharaohs, sheiks, and social media: the many technological transformation of the Middle East

Given the nature of the course’s topics, there are no textbooks available. Consequently, the course will be based mainly on: - Journal Papers and Book Chapters; - Official Reports; - Statistical Datasheets. As the topics covered by the course are in continuous evolution, and to ensure the most timely updating of the course materials, these will be made available in the imminence of its start. In any case, the teaching materials will respect the expected teaching load. These readings as well as lectures slides will be made available via LUISS Learn (course webpage).

- Classes with the support of audio-visuals; - Lectures by external experts; - Case studies with involvement of students.

- Class attendance and active participation, 15% of the final grade; - Written midterm test, 30% of the final grade, 3 open-ended questions; - Written final test, 55% of the final grade, paper on a specific case study.

- Active attendance at the course; - Quality of the proposed issue for the thesis.