University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2008-2009Last update : 29/06/2009
SPOL2208-1  Contemporary Political Theories and Ideologies
Duration :  45h Th
Credits/ECTS :  
Master in European Studies, Professional focus, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre6
Master in Political Sciences : International Relations, Professional focus, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre6
Master in Political Sciences : General, Professional focus , 1st yearPremier quadrimestre6
Master in Public Administration, Professional focus, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre6
Master in Political Sciences : General Premier quadrimestre6
Master in Economical Sciences, in-depth approach, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Economical Sciences, didactic approach, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Economical Sciences, Professional Focus in Economic Policies and Analysis, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Sociology, in-depth approach, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre6
Master in Sociology, didactic approach, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre6
Master in Sociology, Professional focus in applied sociology, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre6
Master in Labour Sciences, Professional Focus, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre6
Holder(s) :  Bernard Fournier
Language :  Langue française
Course contents :  Reflecting on the idea of the plurality of the modern world, this course introduces the students to modern and contemporary political theories and ideologies in political science and sociology.
Prerequisites :  N.A. The knowledge of classical thinkers is an asset.
Organization :  After a few introductory lectures, students (divided into two groups) discuss various political theories developed by a dozen of 20th century thinkers (Prigogine, Foucault, Taylor, Arendt,...) on the idea of the plurality. Combining readings and class discussions, the aim of the course is twofold: on the one hand, to compare the thought of several thinkers and, on the other hand, to get the student to develop and insightful argumentation.
Written notes :  Jean Baudouin, Les idées politiques contemporaines, Rennes, Presses universitaires de Rennes, 2002.

Main readings will be available on the Web.
Assessment :  In addition to the readings and active class participation, there are two course requirements:

1. Every week, the students receive a list of readings from and about a specific thinker. The week prior to the meeting, four students have to distribute a short text (3-4 double spaced pages, with footnotes and references) stressing on one or two concepts developed by the thinker and helpful to understand the modern world. Four other students are asked to use these texts and the readings to start a class discussion.Each student will write two texts and will comment two others. The quality of the text, the commentary, and the individual participation are altogether worth 40 % of the final grade.
2. A final paper is due by the end of the semester. The paper develops the student's thoughts on the readings and the class discussions. The paper should demonstrate that the student has mastered the topic, has read carefully on the issue, and above all has gained insight from the readings. The paper (10-15 pages, double-spaced) should follow the criteria that can be found on the course web page (worth 60 % of the final grade).
Contacts :  Lecturer
Bernard Fournier, chargé de cours
Département de sciences politiques
Faculté de droit
Phone: 04/366.30.41 - Fax: 04/366.29.52
Email: Bernard.Fournieràulg.ac.be (change "à" for "@" without quotation marks)
Web Site: http://www.polliege.ulg.ac.be

Assistants
Élodie Flaba
Phone: 04/366.42.59 - Fax: 04/366.45.57
Email: e.flabaàulg.ac.be (change "à" for "@" without quotation marks)
Remarks :  
  • Contemporary Political Theories and Ideologies is run as a seminar. Therefore, students are required to participate actively and do the readings. The class participation is graded. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure, at the beginning of the semester, he or she is on the class schedule (deadlines for the texts and the comments). Students who won't be able to attend the meetings have to contact the professor in advance. A student who does not participate may get a "0" on this section of the final grade.
  • More information at http://www.polliege.ulg.ac.be (http://www.polliege.ulg.ac.be/" target="_blank. The information given on the Webpage is part of the course material. To access the course web page, a username as well as a password will be given to the registered students at the beginning of the semester.)


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