History and Politics

We are firm believers that a nuanced understanding of the past cultivates an appreciation of its relevance to the present and future and that there might be no better place for this kind of rewarding exploration than Paris, an essential partner in our curriculum. You’ll soon discover that Paris’s over-2000-year history remains accessible to you today, through its one-of-a-kind monuments, museums, and architecture: history comes alive here in the side streets and the forgotten cafes. So much more than simple dates and facts, history enables us to draw closer to our own humanity and to peoples and cultures that came before. We encourage you to delve into other disciplines like film, French, comparative literature, and politics, so as to gain a deeper understanding of where and how history is located within geographic, temporal, and cultural contexts. The past is a powerful thing and our resources will help you understand that power and how to use it.

Living in a world of swift transformation, we’re not content to simply watch as daily news reports inundate us with scenes of conflict and change from around the globe. Our classes will help you see how the field of international and comparative politics functions as a systematic examination of political institutions, processes, and actions, where you will investigate pressing contemporary questions like what factors make a transition to democracy endure? Why do people and groups resort to terrorism and other forms of political violence? How do different countries react when faced with crisis, and what are the consequences for other nations? AUP’s strategic location lends itself to creating partnerships with world-renowned universities and prestigious international institutions. Our interdisciplinary and interactive learning approach,which will expose you to a sophisticated examination of the allocation of ideas and resources across nations and societies, will enable you to acquire the knowledge you’ll need today to take your place as a leader of tomorrow.