Scheda insegnamento

Prerequisiti

Comprehension of oral and written English at least at level B2 of the CEFR. If necessary, students are recommended to make use of the language tutoring service offered by the University.

Obiettivi formativi - Risultati di apprendimento attesi

• Describe the most relevant methods used for risk assessment, understand the underlying theories, and critically evaluate their strengths and limitations.

• Analyze key concepts and frameworks in the field of political risk for corporate actors, applying them to case studies across industries while considering the roles and features of major governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in political risk analysis.

• Develop, simulate, and deliver a professional presentation based on a comprehensive political risk analysis report, demonstrating practical application and communication skills.

Contenuto del corso

This course examines the emergence and growth of the European Union from the aftermath of World War II Political risk analysis is a forward-looking practice used by corporate and governmental actors to assess socio-political events that fall outside conventional business risks. This course examines the methodological and epistemological challenges of addressing uncertainty and risk in a rapidly changing globalized environment. It explores key issues in international political and economic relations, focusing on techniques such as statistical extrapolation, game theory, Delphi methods, prediction markets, expert judgment, and the impact of the digital revolution, including big data and the internet of things. Students will apply critical reasoning to case studies of disruptive events like financial crises, the Arab Uprisings, Brexit, and the Covid-19 pandemic, gaining conceptual and practical skills for careers in political risk consulting across public and private sectors.

Metodi didattici

Important: within 10 days from the beginning of the course, students are required to inform the professor whether they want to be considered “attending” or “non attending”

“Attending” students

Lectures, seminars held using the materials available on the LOL platform, group projects.

“Non-attending” students

Details to be agreed with the instructor.

Non-attending students wishing to take the exam must contact the instructor at least four weeks before the date of the exam.

Digital platforms LOL and Teams will be used and may also be employed for distance learning, according to the guidelines established by the Degree Programmes.

Students who have submitted certified documentation of disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) to the Registrar’s Office are encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course—also through the Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (differenze-inclusione@unistrapg.it)—to agree on any compensatory and/or exemptive measures for adapting teaching methods.

Metodi di accertamento

For both attending and non-attending students

Written exam. The exam will assess students’ ability to describe key methods and theories used in risk assessment, critically evaluate their strengths and limitations, and apply core political risk concepts and frameworks to case studies involving corporate and institutional actors.

Attending students will have the opportunity to develop and present a project which will be assessed during the course.

For students with certified disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), examination arrangements will be agreed upon based on their specific needs, in consultation with the Committee for Diversity and Inclusion.

Testi di esame

“Attending” students

C. E. Sottilotta, Rethinking Political Risk: Concepts, Theories, Challenges. London: Routledge, 2017 + supplementary readings (see LOL platform).

“Non-attending” students

C. E. Sottilotta, Rethinking Political Risk: Concepts, Theories, Challenges. London: Routledge, 2017

Gould-Davies, Nigel. Tectonic Politics: Global Political Risk in an Age of Transformation. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 2019,

Additional readings to be agreed upon with the instructor.

Testi di consultazione e approfondimento

Sottilotta, C.E. et al, The Routledge Handbook of Political Risk. London: Routledge (2025). Further readings will be made available via the LOL platform.

Altre informazioni

To be considered attending students, participants must be present for at least two-thirds of the scheduled classes. Students are requested to inform the instructor of their intention to attend the course or follow it as non-attending students within 10 days of its start. Office hours are to be agreed upon by appointment, writing to cecilia.sottilotta@unistrapg.it