Geopolitics: Finding the Patterns in the Chaos



Overview

International politics has rarely been so interconnected and impactful on our lives, yet can often seem beyond comprehension. This course will navigate the choppy waters of geopolitics today – finding the patterns in the chaos as together we explore and discuss key issues and tensions in the world today and likely future developments. 

The course begins by explaining the notion of geopolitics in the modern world, before looking at key contemporary dynamics including the emerging US-China rivalry, the role of Russia and India, Europe and the UK, Asia, and the Middle-East. We will end with a ‘Simulation Experience’ where students get to play policy-makers, responding to a realistic geopolitical scenario. 

The course includes a field trip to Ditchley House, where major diplomatic and political gatherings are often held, including a past round of Middle-East peace talks that the tutor helped facilitate.

This course is part of The Oxford Experience summer school.

Programme details

Seminars meet each weekday morning, with afternoons free for course-related field trips, individual study, or exploring the many places of interest in and around the city.

Monday
Geopolitics today and ‘The Global Game’ (US-China-Russia-India)

  • Course introduction – concepts and definitions.
  • The Global Game – US, China, Russia, India.

Tuesday
Europe – The EU, the UK (Brexit!) and ‘The Ukraine Factor’

  • Europe has been seen as the birthplace of ‘Western Civilisation’ and the home of democracy, yet conflict between European nations sparked both World Wars.
  • We examine Europe today, post-Brexit and in light of the war in Ukraine.

Wednesday
Asia – The new centre of global power?

  • Is the gravity of global political and economic power moving to Asia?
  • If so, what does this mean for the US, ‘the West’, and global power dynamics?

Thursday
The Middle-East and Africa – Ignore at your peril!

  • The enduring influence (instability?) of the Middle-East on global affairs.
  • Politics, economics, oil – The ‘New’ Saudi Arabia and the Iran Quandary.
  • Africa – The importance of the recent wave of military coups.
  • Africa – Jihadist threats (Al-Qaeda and IS/ISIS/ISIL) – irritation or escalation?
  • Field trip to Ditchley House – site of diplomatic and political gatherings

Friday
Simulation Experience and course conclusion

  • We end the course with a ‘Simulation Experience’, a fun yet instructive exercise with students in small teams playing the role of (competing!) governments responding to a simulated international geopolitical scenario.
  • Course conclusion, drawing together all we have explored and consider where things may be going in the years to come.

Field Trip
Destination: Ditchley Park and Foundation

Website: www.ditchley.com

Excursion Rating: Easy - up to an hour’s walk on even ground or less than half an hour’s walk on uneven/unpaved ground.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee option 1 (single en suite accom and meals per person) £2270.00
Fee option 2 (single standard accom and meals per person) £2145.00
Fee option 3 (double en suite accom and meals per person) £2095.00
Fee option 4 (twin en suite accom and meals per person) £2095.00
Fee option 5 (twin set standard accom and meals per person) £2095.00
Fee option 6 (no accom; incl lunch and dinner per person) £1595.00

Funding

Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available for applicants.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.
  • If submitting an enrolment form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.

Supplementary costs

  • Extended stay fee: Participants staying multiple, consecutive weeks are offered bed and breakfast accommodation for the Saturday night between their courses. The extended stay rates are charged on a per person basis, depending on your enrolment accommodation. An invoice will be emailed alongside your confirmation of enrolment. 
  • Excursion fee where applicable: £5-130. This fee is built into the above course fees and will not require a separate payment. If your course includes a day-long excursion, you may need to make your own lunch arrangements.
  • Course transfer fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the programme administrator, up to the 1 May 2024. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.
  • Any ticketed activities, as outlined in the Social Programme.

Cancellations and refunds

1. Cancellation by you

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk, or by post to The Oxford Experience, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

The following cancellation and refund policy applies in all cases:

  • Cancellation within 14 days of online enrolment / payment of fees – full refund of all fees paid. 

  • Cancellations received up to and including 30 April 2024 – OUDCE will retain an administration fee of £100 per week booked; all other fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received between 1-31 May 2024 – OUDCE will retain 60% of the fees paid; the remaining 40% of fees paid will be refunded.
  • Cancellations received on and after 1 June 2024 - no refunds will be made under any circumstances.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

2. Cancellation by us

Where there is good reason, OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course by giving you notice in writing at any time before the course is due to start. In these cases, we will endeavour to offer a transfer to another available course if practical and acceptable to you, subject to payment or refund of any difference in course fees. Alternatively, we will refund the course fees that you have already paid. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred. The status of this course will be reviewed on 1 May 2024. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, anyone affected will be notified by email within 7 days; if you have not heard from OUDCE by 8 May 2024, you should assume that your course will be running. You may wish to delay finalising your travel arrangements until after this date.

OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course at short notice in exceptional circumstances that would prevent the course from being delivered e.g. tutor illness. In these rare instances, and if we are unable to find a replacement tutor, we will notify you as soon as possible and arrange a transfer to another available Oxford Experience course. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

3. Travel insurance

All participants must purchase travel insurance to cover the programme fee, travel costs, and any other expenses incurred. OUDCE cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. 

Tutor

Hagai M. Segal

Tutor

Hagai M. Segal is a multi-award-winning academic, consultant and analyst, specialising in geopolitics, terrorism/counter-terrorism, and the Middle-East. A New York University London professor, he is twice a recipient of New York University annual teaching awards and has extensive experience teaching at leading universities and advising a range of public sector bodies across the globe, from the British Armed Forces to the FBI in the USA to Counter-Terror police in Australia. Hagai additionally has a 20-year track record as a researcher, advisor, educator/trainer and keynote speaker for banks, finance houses, investors, corporate boards, and business leaders’ organisations in over 30 countries on the strategic and economic impacts of geopolitics. Hagai served on the London First Security and Resilience Advisory Board for the whole of its 10-year tenure – including activities in Mumbai after the 2008 terror attacks, and London 2012 Olympics security and resilience preparations – and 20 years ago helped plan and facilitate a round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks at a stately home near Oxford. He is also currently conducting a major piece of academic research on how CEOs and corporate boards understand and address geopolitical risk.

Teaching methods

Participants will be taught in seminar groups of up to 12 people. The teaching methods used during this course may include:

  • Short lectures/Presentations
  • Physical handouts
  • Seminars/group discussions
  • Video recordings
  • Field Trip
  • Other: Simulation experience

Assessment methods

There are no assessments for this course.

Application

Registration closes on 1 May 2024. Most courses fill up fast so early registration is recommended.

Single accommodation and non-residential places may be booked online by clicking on the “Book now” button in the “Course details” box at the top right-hand side of the course page.

Those requiring twin or double accommodation should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked online. Completed forms should be sent:

Level and demands

The Oxford Experience is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level. The courses are designed for an international audience aged 18 and over.

Accommodation

During your course you will stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Christ Church, in buildings which range from the 18th to the 20th century. Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning.

The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday, lunches Sunday-Friday, and 3-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. On Friday, there will be a special 4-course Gala Dinner to celebrate the closing of the week. All meals are taken in Christ Church’s spectacular dining hall.

Single bedrooms

  • Single en suite;
  • Single standard.

En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet). Standard rooms include a washbasin and shaver point only, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms.

Shared bedrooms

Shared rooms can only be booked by two people attending the programme together, and are charged on a per person basis.

  • Double en suite;
  • Twin en suite;
  • 'Twin Set' standard.

En suite rooms include private bathroom facilities (shower, washbasin and toilet). 'Twin set’ standard rooms comprise two separate single standard rooms, each with a washbasin and shaver point only, opening onto a private sitting room, with bathroom facilities shared with other rooms.

Those requiring twin or double accommodation must complete an enrolment form (see ‘Application’), as these rooms cannot be booked online.

Christ Church rooms do not have lift access, and the higher rooms can be located up a few flights of stairs. If you need a room on a ground or lower floor please indicate this on your enrolment form, or contact the programme administrator directly at oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk as soon as possible before 1 June.

We regret that we are unable to arrange accommodation at Christ Church prior to or following your course. Additionally, family or friends who are not enrolled in the programme cannot be accommodated in college. Please contact Christ Church directly if you require additional nights of bed and breakfast accommodation.

Participants Attending Multiple Weeks

The Oxford Experience welcomes participants who want to attend multiple courses over the summer. Resident participants staying in Christ Church for consecutive weeks are offered bed and breakfast accommodation for the Saturday night between their courses. The extended stay rates are charged on a per person basis, depending on your enrolment accommodation. An invoice will be emailed alongside your confirmation of enrolment. 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support