About the course
Ever wondered how the Israel-Palestine conflict, Russia-Ukraine war or the US-China standoff over Taiwan could alter the global chessboard or shape your future?
What does the interplay of power and influence look like in today’s world? What is the role of drones in the future possibilities of wars? What are the implications of a cyber attack ? What is the impact of a refugee crisis?
In its current state, influence looks a lot more like BTS, Marvel movies, and Fortnite collaborations. In the age of Call of Duty and Black Mirror, drones aren’t just sci-fi anymore; they’re real, and they’re changing the face of war. From TikTok bans to power grids under attack, cyber warfare is the sneaky, high-stakes game that’s shaping politics and power in the 21st century. When we think of war, we often imagine soldiers, strategies, and powerful weaponry. But behind every conflict lies a devastating toll on human lives—stories of loss, trauma, and displacement that linger long after the battles end.
The Future of War is a live interactive course that demystifies the intricate dynamics of 21st-century warfare and security. Through real world case studies and simulation-based activities, you will gain a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between conflict, security, and global stability.
In this course, you will delve into how countries leverage soft power – culture, diplomacy, and economic influence to assert their global presence. You will examine how the rise of drones raises profound ethical and legal questions regarding accountability, civilian casualties, and the potential for an arms race in autonomous technology. You will further discover how states and non-state actors engage in cyber conflicts that shape modern security dynamics. By the end of the course, you will integrate perspectives from psychology, sociology, and international law to learn about how policymakers address the human costs of war to foster long-term recovery and peacebuilding.
The course will culminate into a capstone project where you will work with your peers and present your research and potential solutions for complex global security questions on any one of the chosen module topics. The project will enable you to develop a rich understanding of fundamental theories in International Relations and their applications in the contemporary world. You will gain future forward perspectives on global security and define what role you could play.
Will you choose diplomacy or defense? Your choices could shape the outcome!
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Eligibility
- High school students from India and across the world are eligible to apply.
- Students should be entering or in grades 9-12 as in summer 2025.
- Students should be comfortable with written & spoken English, which will be the medium of instruction for the courses.
- Students should have consistent access to the Internet and a computer that aligns with the recommended minimum specifications.
- Students should have a good and consistent academic record.
Who is this course for?
This course is for high schoolers studying social sciences – history, political science, sociology, law,, civics, policy etc., or considering them for higher education. It’s also ideal for those keen to go beyond the headlines on world affairs and understand the complexities of global security and geopolitics of conflict.
Prerequisites: High proficiency in written & spoken English. You will be required to submit your latest mark sheet in the application form.
What do I take away?
By the end of the programme, you will:
- Analyze key geopolitical shifts, the role of international organizations, and the impact of technology on diplomacy.
- Explore the evolving landscape of warfare, emphasizing technological innovations such as drones and cyber threats.
- Develop a critical eye for dissecting news and debates on contemporary conflict, and become an informed participant in global security discussions.
- Obtain knowledge on warfare and security issues that extend beyond traditional battlefields, encompassing ethical considerations and human rights.
- Gain a forward-looking perspective on the future of global security challenges, and get prepared to contribute as a next-generation informed citizen and problem-solver.
- Apply a multidisciplinary lens and study the psychological, social, and economic tolls of war on individuals and communities.
- Use real-world simulation-based activities that put you at the heart of decision-making.
Programme Details
| Week |
Lecture Module |
Project Module |
| Week 1 |
From superpower to soft power: RealPolitik re-imagined
Examine the shifting paradigms of power in international relations, particularly the transition from hard power—military and economic might—to soft power, which emphasizes influence through culture, values, and diplomacy.In this context, learn how RealPolitik, traditionally focused on pragmatic and strategic considerations, evolved to incorporate soft power elements.
- Global networks
- Cultural exchanges
- Multilateral diplomacy
|
Simulated crisis operation 1: Hard power vs. soft power
Expand on the definition of power beyond armies and borders. Think diplomacy through Netflix and global influence driven by culture, not conquest.
Work in teams to prepare your case. You’ll challenge each other’s viewpoints and come out smarter for it. |
| Week 2 |
Autonomous weapons: The rise of drone warfare
Investigate the technological and ethical implications of autonomous weapons systems, particularly drones and its role in causing a significant shift in warfare paradigms.
- Combat with AI-powered weapons
- Ethical and legal implications
- Tactical advantages and moral dilemmas
|
Simulated crisis operation 2: Game of “drones” & warfare surveillance
From surveillance in the sky to precision strikes that feel like they’re straight out of a video game, this is warfare reimagined—except, this time, it’s not fiction.
Participate in activities that cultivate a critical understanding of the use of technology in warfare. |
| Week 3 |
Firewalls as frontlines: Cyber warfare in 21st Century
Analyze the impact of cyber attacks on national security and learn how digital firewalls act as battleground frontlines, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
- Infrastructure attacked
- Case studies of epic hacks
- Cybersecurity as the must-have armor
|
Simulated crisis operation 3: Threats in cyberspace
Cyber warfare represents a new frontier in conflict, where the boundaries between military and civilian targets blur. Enter the battleground of the digital age on cyber warfare.
Tackle challenges such as developing defensive strategies, protecting sensitive data, and responding to attacks that can escalate quickly |
| Week 4 |
The human costs of war
From the shattered cities in Syria to the refugee crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine, delve into human costs of war that reach far beyond the battlefield. Discuss topics such as displacement, trauma, and the role of humanitarian interventions.
- Humanitarian assistance
- Conflict resolution
- Post-war reconstruction
|
Demo Day: Final Presentation
Each group will choose a theme from any one module to conduct detailed research and present potential solutions for the most complex global security questions. |
| Week 5 |
Counselling:
Get a chance to ask questions to the faculty and the mentor and get their answers and perspective.
You are encouraged to ask questions to the faculty around the following aspects:
- What are some related fields that can be explored based on this course topic?
- What are the future trends in the related fields?
- How can the course learning help the student enhance their college applications?
|
Mentoring:
You are encouraged to ask questions to the mentor around the following aspects:
- What are some sub-topics to learn/practice beyond the course?
- What is the scope of the course topic if the student wants to pursue/study it further?
- What are some personal projects that can be taken up outside of the course based on the knowledge gained in the course?
|
Capstone Project
You will work on a project in groups. Each group can choose any one module to conduct detailed research and propose potential solutions for the most complex global security questions. Undertake tasks such as making decisions, challenging viewpoints, simulating real-world situations and solving global security challenges. The project will culminate into a demo day where all groups will present their research in a learning showcase in front of a guest speaker.
Faculty
Ananya Sharma is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Ashoka University. She completed her Ph.D. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Her research focuses on tracing the disciplinary history of International Relations through the great debates and analyzing the decline of utopian thought within the discipline. She is currently working on her first book project interrogating the sociology of knowledge production in IR through utopian world-making projects and failures. Her work has been published in International Studies, Economic and Political Weekly (EPW), South Asian Survey and edited volumes including the Oxford Handbook on International Studies Pedagogy and Routledge Handbook of South Asia. She has also contributed to South Asian Voices, RSIS Commentary and The Interpreter.
Grading, assessments, certification and much more
Grading, Assessments, Certification and much more
All Ashoka Horizons courses offer a certificate on satisfactory completion of the programme.
- Weekly simulations – 40%
- Final project presentation – 50%
- In-class participation and attendance – 10%
Class participation will be assessed based on your active engagement in live sessions, contributions to discussion forums, and involvement in Teaching Fellow-led activities.
Achieve More…with Horizons:
- Successful Course Completion Certificate
- Letters of Academic Achievement to top 3 students based on exceptional performance
- Potential opportunity to sharpen your MUN skills – participate in real-world simulation-based activities
*For select students, subject to discretion of the faculty
IT Requirements
This programme is administered through an online platform. Students are expected to have a foundational understanding of computer usage, including but not limited to sending emails and conducting Internet searches. Consistent access to the Internet and a computer that aligns with the recommended minimum specifications are also requisite for participation in the programme.
Have a question about Ashoka Horizons Achievers Programme? Write to us on horizons@ashoka.edu.in
