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| HULG0104-1 | Governments and constitutions | |||||
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| Holder(s) : | M. Claes | |||||
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| Course contents : | The course Governments and Constitutions provides an introduction to the political and constitutional systems of the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the European Union. The aim of the course is to become acquainted with the basic features of these systems. The course accordingly concentrates on the grand designs: separation of powers, democracy and electoral system, parliamentary versus presidential system, federalism versus unitary State, political parties, bi-cameralism, the functioning of parliaments, constitutional review et cetera. In addition, the concepts of 'Constitution' and 'constitutionalism' will be discussed from a theoretical and comparative perspective, and the constitutional texts of the countries under review will be looked into. During the group meetings, the political systems of each of these polities will be analysed in turn. Attention will also be paid to each country's history and political culture. In addition, selected and current issues will be discussed from a comparative perspective. This will be done in interactive lectures, sometimes by guest lecturers, which require the same preparation and participation on the part of the students. For instance, the 'mighty problem of judicial review' will be analyzed and discussed on the basis of the positions adopted in the systems mentioned above. The specific subjects of the lectures of the course may differ depending on the events of the day and hot issues of the moment. Students are expected to follow current in the countries under review and read newspapers. | |||||
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| Prerequisites : | A good knowledge of English | |||||
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| Organization : | Course to follow at the University of Maastricht Teaching time: 31/10 untill 23/12 (examination : last week - 2nd chance during the week of 10 April) | |||||
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| Written notes : | Literature: - M. Roskin, Countries and Concepts. Politics, Geography, Culture, Prentice Hall, last ed. - reader | |||||
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| Assessment : | Assignments: 2 presentations and 2 written reports Examination: oral examination | |||||
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| Contacts : | Marie-Noëlle CHARLIER (04/366 27 27) Marie-Noelle.Charlier@ulg.ac.be | |||||
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ULg : Students and Studies Administration - Academic Affairs
Contact : Monique Marcourt, direction A.E.E.
Date of data : 27/02/2006
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