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| SPOL0090-1 | Introduction to Belgian politics
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| Duration : | 20h Th |
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| Credits/ECTS : |
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| Holder(s) : | Pierre Verjans |
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| Language : | English language |
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| Course contents : | For non-Belgians (and even for Belgians), Belgian politics is quite tricky to follow, let alone to understand fully. Nonetheless, it shapes the political but also economic and social dynamics of the country. Furthermore, Belgian politics has daily implications on every citizen's life - from cradle to grave. It is therefore useful for non-Belgian students to explore this hot topic in order to better apprehend the dynamics at the heart of the country. To do so, the course covers Belgium's political history, federal system, political actors, citizens and relations with the outside world. |
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| Course objective : | This course aims primarily at non-Belgian students (even though it may be of interest for Belgian students). On the basis of lectures, readings and in-class discussions, it will introduce students to the historical, social, economic and above all political factors and facts which explain Belgian politics on its own as well as in a comparative fashion - comparison that will be drawn from student's own national background. |
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| Prerequisites : | No prerequisites. |
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| Organization : | Each session will be introduced by a lecture followed by an in-class discussion based on readings and students' short presentations on their country in comparison with Belgium. The course relies on an active interaction between the students and the lecturer and between the students themselves. |
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| Written notes : | One book will serve as the backbone of the course.
Deschouwer, Kris, Politics of Belgium: Governing a Divided Society, London, Palgrave Macmillan, Comparative Government and Politics Series, 2009. [Available at the library - Bibliothèque Graulich]
In addition to this volume, several articles (suggested readings) will be available on WebCT. |
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| Assessment : | In the first session, the assessment will be twofold: active participation in class discussions and short oral presentations (40% of the final note), on the one hand, and a 10-page paper comparing - one dimension of - Belgian politics to politics in their home country (60% of the final note), on the other hand.
In the second session, students will have to write a twenty-page paper on a topic from a list assigned by the lecturer. |
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| Contacts : | Min REUCHAMPS
Département de science politique
Faculté de droit et de science politique
Tel.: 04/366.30.23
E-mail: Min.Reuchamps@ulg.ac.be |
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