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Pre-College Programme electives
In addition to the core courses in the social sciences, on campus Pre-College Programme students participate in one elective course of their choice (10 contact hours). Students can choose one elective course among different introductory workshops within Sciences Po’s key disciplines, such as political science, international relations or sociology. They are taught in small groups, which provide students the opportunity to think critically, express their opinions and debate.
When applying to the on campus Pre-College Programme, candidates select two choices of elective course by order of preference. Definitive enrolment in the elective course is made on a first come, first served basis once students are admitted in the programme. When an elective course reaches its full capacity, the course is no longer open to registration. Given the popularity of some elective courses, we encourage candidates to apply as early as possible to maximize their chance of enrolment in their first choice, if admitted in the programme.
Below are the elective courses on offer in 2025:
- Professor: Tadeusz Kolasinski
- Overview: This course invites students to explore the foundational concepts of international law and their application to contemporary global conflicts. Students will develop an understanding of the international lawmaking process, the criteria for establishing state responsibility, and explore the roles of key institutions in dispute resolution andenforcement of international law.
Download the Course Overview for International Law and Dispute Resolution (PDF, 144 KB).
- Professor: Carl Rihan
- Overview: This foundational course introduces students to foreign policy and international relations. Throughout the course, students address how the foreign policy of individual States influences the international order and learn how to elaborate foreign policy action proposal and discuss foreign policy challenges in an informed manner.
Download the Course Overview for Foreign Policy and International Relations (PDF, 169 KB).
- Professor: Barthélemy Michalon
- Overview: In this workshop, students are exposed to a wide variety of scenarios and challenges, especially in an international context, and they need to use negotiation to overcome them. Students are faced with various role-playing situations, such as trade or diplomatic negotiations. Theoretical explanations provided in each class are immediately put into practice through interactive exercises and negotiation models.
- Professor: Earl Wang
- Overview: This course will introduce students to the EU's foreign policy, including the Union's unique place in the international system, as well as its actions and significant engagement in global affairs.
Download the Course Overview for EU Foreign Policy (PDF, 116 KB).
To participate in this course, a B2 level in French is required and should be added to the applicant's file.
- Professor: Mathieu Fulla
- Overview (in French): Enseigné en français, ce cours entend discuter l’idée selon laquelle l’histoire de l’Europe au XXe siècle serait celle de l’avènement irrésistible de la démocratie libérale et de l’économie de marché, la chute du Mur de Berlin scellant la « fin de l’histoire », pour reprendre la célèbre formule de Francis Fukuyama. Il interrogera enfin les causes du rejet de plus en plus massif par les Européens des structures traditionnelles de la démocratie libérale et les réinventions du politique.
Download the Course Overview for La Démocratie en Europe (PDF, 133 KB).
Download the Academic Schedule for the On-Campus Pre-College Programme (PDF, 106 KB).
