The social sciences track of the University Programme
Introducing students to Sciences Po's core subjects
Social sciences track overview
The social sciences track offers students the opportunity to delve into a fundamental subject of the Sciences Po curriculum. Students in this track can choose one core class of intensive study, which includes 36 contact hours per month on our Parisian campus.
Summer courses are offered in the following areas of study: international relations, political science, economics, history, and more.
All social sciences classes are taught in English. As part of the application process, candidates who are not native English speakers need to demonstrate an advanced level of English.
Learn more about how to demonstrate English language proficiency on the Eligibility page.
To go further, students in the social sciences track can add an elective course (24 hours and 3 ECTS) to learn French or discover French culture through a new perspective. They can also take an academic and professional skills workshop (8 hours and 1 ECTS).
Social Sciences courses 2023
Download the provisional schedule for the 2023 Social Sciences track (PDF, 193 KB).
The detailed course schedule will be available about 3 weeks before the start of the programme.
June Session 2023
Fighting inequalities and Social Risks in the 21st Century: A Global perspective
- Professor: Emanuele Ferragina
- Discipline: Sociology, Political Economy
This course will help students will understand how inequalities and social risks are tackled differently across the globe.
Download the course syllabus for "Fighting Inequalities and Social Risks in the 21st Century" (PDF, 304 KB).
To learn more about the two courses he is teaching this summer, here's an interview with Professor Ferragina.
Media and politics
- Professor: Tatiana Coutto
- Discipline: Political Science
In this course, students will develop a solid conceptual knowledge of the role of media in contemporary politics from theoretical and empirical perspectives.
Download the course syllabus for "Media and Politics" (PDF, 193 KB).
To learn more about this course, here's an interview with Professor Tatiana Coutto.
Public economics
- Professor: Emeric Henry
- Discipline: Economics
Using tools from economics, including in-class experiments and case studies, the goal of this course is to understand the role that governments can play in regulating economic activity.
Download the course syllabus for "Public Economics" (PDF, 128 KB).
To learn more about this course, here’s an interview with Professor Emeric Henry.
World politics
- Professor: Hélène Thiollet
- Disciplines: International Relations, Political Science
Relying on both theoretical and empirical (case studies) approaches, this course will help students craft their own analysis of world politics. It offers an interdisciplinary perspective of international issues, using the methods and frameworks of a variety of social sciences fields, including sociology, history, comparative politics, international relations, and political economy.
Download the course syllabus for "World Politics" (PDF, 150 KB).
July Session 2023
A rising invisible majority? Capital, Labour and the welfare state in contemporary political economy
- Professor: Emanuele Ferragina
- Disciplines: Sociology, Social Policy
The goal of this course is to equip students with critical tools to analyze the transformation of the political economy and the welfare state in contemporary societies.
Download the course syllabus for "A Rising Invisible Majority" (PDF, 276 KB).
To learn more about the two courses he is teaching this summer, here's an interview with Professor Ferragina.
The age of economists: Globalization, growth and inequalities
- Professor: David Duhamel
- Disciplines: Economics, History
This course is an overview of how economic thought has risen over the centuries, and how since WWII, it has influenced neighbouring disciplines such as political philosophy, common law, political science, sociology, and psychology.
Download the course syllabus for "The Age of Economists" (PDF, 162 KB).
To learn more about this course, here's an interview with Professor Duhamel.
Contemporary challenges to democracy
- Professor: Steven Van Hauwaert
- Disciplines: Political Science, Sociology
The goal of this course is to understand the core components of democracy in a wide range of geo-political settings. Students will identify, measure, and compare various challenges to democracy and get insights into important contemporary issues and debates.
Download the course syllabus for "Contemporary Challenges to Democracy" (PDF, 161 KB).
Economics for a better world: Issues and policies in low-income countries
- Professors: Olivia Bertelli, Véronique Gille et Kenneth Houngbedji
- Disciplines: Economics, Public Policy
This course will introduce pressing issues related to contemporary public policy, aiming at improving living conditions and life outcomes in low-income countries.
Download the course syllabus for "Economics for a Better World" (PDF, 165 KB).
The European union at a crossroads: Issues & policies
- Professors: Jan Rovny, Francesco Saraceno, Imola Streho, David Cadier
- Disciplines: Political Science, Economics, Law, History
This course will introduce students to the multiple European realities and will provide the necessary tools for understanding how the EU can face different challenges in an ever-changing world. This interdisciplinary course will allow students to approach these major issues through the lenses of political science, law, economics, and history.
Download the course syllabus for "The EU at a Crossroads" (PDF, 164 KB).
Global Diplomacy: Theory and Practice
- Professor: Thierry Balzacq
- Discipline: International Relations
This course investigates the discourses, theories and practices associated with diplomacy, across different levels and within a wide range of areas. It also offers the vocabulary of diplomacy, as well as clear applications of its concepts to a wide range of subjects.
Download the course syllabus for "Global Diplomacy" (PDF, 218 KB).
Human Rights Advocacy
- Professor: Eugénie Mérieau
- Disciplines: International Relations, Law
The goal of this course is to prepare students on how to successfully engage in human rights advocacy in various settings (courts, NGOs, United Nations), while being able to critically reflect on key legal and philosophical human rights controversies.
Download the course syllabus for "Human Rights Advocacy" (PDF, 128 KB).
human security
- Professor: Shahrbanou Tadjbakhsh
- Disciplines: International Relations, Public Policy
This inter-disciplinary and interactive course introduces students to a broader conception of “security,” one which concerns itself not just with the stability of the state, but also with preventing and alleviating risks to people’s survival, livelihoods, and dignity.
Download the course syllabus for "Human Security" (PDF, 166 KB).
To learn more about this course, here's an interview with Professor Tadjbakhsh.
Racism, identity and diversity: comparative perspective
- Professor: Ariane Chebel d'Appollonia
- Disciplines: International Relations, Public Policy
This course address key questions raised by persistent racism and discriminatory practices in increasingly diverse societies – from a historical, multidisciplinary, and comparative perspective.
Download the course syllabus for "Racism, Identity and Diversity" (PDF, 164 KB).
To learn more about this course, here's an interview with Professor Chebel d’Appollonia.
Sustainable development and climate action
- Professor: Tancrède Voituriez
- Disciplines: Public Policy, Economics, International Relations
This course will help students to understand the rationale for and challenges behind sustainable development and climate action. Students will also be able to develop a critical sense of the drivers of actions and the factors of inaction in this area.
Download the course syllabus for "Sustainable Development and Climate Action" (PDF, 157 KB).
DOWNLOAD OUR BROCHURE
Prospective students
Contact us
Email: summer.school-at-sciencespo.fr
Phone: +33 (0)1 45 49 55 05
