Introduction and Description

 

This course offers an academically rigorous and multidimensional exploration of the strategic, historical and geopolitical significance of the Azores within the broader Atlantic and global systems. Situated at the intersection of major maritime routes, transcontinental interactions and shifting geopolitical constellations, the Azores constitute a unique vantage point from which to understand the evolution of international order, the dynamics of power projection and the contemporary challenges shaping global security governance.

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Drawing on foundational and advanced concepts from International Relations, Security Studies, Geopolitics and Strategic Studies, the course provides participants with a structured analytical framework for interpreting the Azores’ role in both historical and contemporary strategic environments. Early sessions introduce the islands’ historical development and examine their integration into Atlantic imperial networks, culminating in an in-depth case study of the late 16th-century Habsburg bid for mastery. This episode serves as an exemplary lens through which to analyse the interplay between geography, imperial ambition, maritime logistics and emerging global competition.

 

The programme then advances to the 20th century, tracing the Azores’ transformation into a critical node for wartime operations, diplomacy and intelligence during the Second World War. Participants engage with primary and secondary perspectives to evaluate how Portuguese neutrality, Allied strategic imperatives and Axis maritime strategy converged on the islands, reshaping the transatlantic security landscape and laying the groundwork for post-war strategic arrangements.

 

Building on this historical trajectory, the course scrutinises the contemporary strategic relevance of the Azores through the prisms of NATO’s evolving posture, EU defence initiatives, technological transformations and the increasingly complex geopolitical environment of the North Atlantic. Particular attention is devoted to emerging drivers of change, including climate-induced shifts in maritime geography, the Arctic’s opening sea routes, the securitisation of undersea infrastructure and the renewed strategic interest of global powers in Atlantic domains.

 

Pedagogically, the course emphasises the integration of theoretical inquiry with applied analysis, encouraging participants to engage in scenario-building exercises, map-based strategic assessments and interdisciplinary dialogue. Intercultural communication tasks, cultural visits and professional exchange sessions foster reflection on how national strategic cultures shape interpretations of security, power and cooperation. Moreover, participants develop competencies for embedding geopolitical and historical content into their teaching practice, using digital collaboration platforms (eTwinning, ESEP) to conceptualise cross-border educational projects.

 

By combining scholarly depth, experiential engagement and collaborative knowledge production, the course not only enhances participants’ conceptual and analytical understanding but also strengthens their capacity to act as educators, facilitators and partners in European and international cooperation within the fields of geopolitics, security studies and global affairs.