- To understand, use and rigorously apply the fundamental concepts of geopolitical and strategic studies. - To understand, use and rigorously apply the main theoretical frameworks formulated recently to explain the structure and functioning of global geopolitics in the context of globalization. - To analyze the military power of the states and the main international blocs and alliances in the area of security and defense, as well as the factors that determine the geostrategic importance of these and guide their policies in this matter. - To understand and analyze the main current conflicts, risks and threats related to international security.

PROGRAMME STRATEGIC STUDIES, SECURITY AND DEFENSE LESSON 1. DEFINITION AND OBJECT OF THE STRATEGIC STUDIES. CONCEPTS OF PEACE, SECURITY AND ARMED CONFLICT. 1. Strategy, and strategic studies. World order and the international system. Anarchy and the struggle for power. 2. Strategy: what it is, elements, levels and architecture. Strategic Culture and the use of force. 3. General approach to the International Society and International Law: Subjects and actors. Structure and main features of the International Society and International Law. 4. Conceptual approach: The evolution of the concepts of Peace and Security from the Cold War to the Global International Society. Conceptual distinction between tension, crisis, dispute and armed conflict. The so called ¿Grey Zones¿. LESSON 2. GEOGRAPHY AND GEOSTRATEGY: CONCEPTS AND MAIN FACTORS. 1. Geography as an enduring strategic fact. Geography and Strategy (Military Geography). 2. Confronted Strategies. 3. Examples and practice. LESSON 3. GEOGRAPHY AND GEOPOLITICS IN THE WORLD. (Each region would be analised in terms of geography, geopolitical posture and posible future trends) 1. Europe, United States, Russia. 2. China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia. 3. Latin America. LESSON 4. GEOPOLITICS OF THE NUCLEAR. 1. The evolution of the nuclear threat: Cold War evolution, strategies and disarmament initiatives. 2. World order in the nuclear age. The post-Cold War and the risk of proliferation. LESSON 5. MAIN ACTUAL RISKS AND THREATS TO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY. 1. Ideological/political risks and threats: The power of identity in a Globalised World: national-ethnicity, religion. The proliferation of non-State actors. Instable regions and failed States. 2. Environmental risks and threats: climate change and its consequences for peace and security. 3. Economic and social risks and threats: inequality, poverty, under-development and health risks in a Global International Society. 4. Geo-economic risks and threats: the control of energetic resources, other scarce resources and strategic areas or regions. 5. Risk and threats of different nature: terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and cyber-threats. LESSON 6. ARMED CONFLICTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF COLLECTIVE SECURITY. 1. The use of force in International Law: From ius ad bellum to ius contra bellum. The general prohibition of article 2.4 UN Charter. 2. The two exceptions to the prohibition: Self-defense (article 51) and the Security Council powers under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. 3. Regional collective security: Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. LESSON 7. THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY: THE MAIN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. 1. United Nations. 2. I.O in Europe: EU, NATO, OSCE. 3. Rest of the World: AU, OAS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Arab League, Golf Cooperation Council. LESSON 8. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGIES. 1. National Security Strategies and White Books; United States; Russia; China; Germany, Spain. 2. International Security Strategies: European Union, NATO, OSCE.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES. Lectures focusing on the guidelines according to the Program. Preparing the classes requires an advance knowledge of the relevant bibliography and documents in each session. The classes will correspond to the model seminar-workshop, in which the transmission, classification and deepening of the basic knowledge of the subjects will be the result of an active debate between the teacher and students.