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| SPOL0380-1 | Comparative federalism
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| Duration : | 30h SEM |
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| Credits/ECTS : |
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| Holder(s) : | Quentin Michel |
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| Language : | French language |
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| Course contents : | The course aims at understanding the political structures of the Belgian federalism by comparing them with other federalisms, the Canadian federalism in particular. Several themes (linguistic politics, fiscal federalism, education, environment, intergovernmental relations, for instance) will be explored by the students who are active participants of the seminar. |
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| Prerequisites : | N.A. |
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| Organization : | After a few introductory sessions, the students (divided into four groups) discuss the similarities and dissimilarities between the federalisms on a specific topic. The assigned readings help the students to develop a better insight on the issues at stake and to participate in the class discussions.
The aim of the seminar is twofold: on the one hand, to develop a critical understanding of the Belgian structure through the comparison with other federalism and, on the other hand, to get the student acquainted to the discussion and comparison of scientific texts. |
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| Written notes : | Required reading :
Bernard Fournier and Min Reuchamps, Le fédéralisme en Belgique et au Canada : comparaison sociopolitique, Bruxelles, De Boeck Université, 2009.
Recommended reading :
Ronald L. Watts, Comparing federal systems, 2nd ed., McGill-Queen's University Press, Institute of Intergovernmental Relations, Queen's University, 2003.
Manon Tremblay, Réjean Pelletier, Le parlementarisme canadien, 3rd ed., Quebec City, Presses de l'université Laval, 2005.
Other references (available on the Web) :
- Johanne Poirier, "Fédéralisme en Belgique et au Canada : parallèles, dissonances et paradoxes", Septentrion : Arts, lettre et culture de Flandre et des Pays-Bas, 2004, pp. 26-32.
- André Lecours, "Speaking of Asymmetry: Canada and the 'Belgian Model'", Asymmetry Series, 2005(7), School of Policy Studies, Queen's University.
Readings will be available on the Web. |
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| Assessment : | In addition to the assigned readings and an active participation in the class discussions, there are two course requirements.
1. Every second week, the students have to read three or four texts on a specific topic of the Belgian and Canadian federalism. A week prior to the meeting, half of the group hands in a three-page-text (double spaced) comparing the readings. The other half prepares a comment on these texts in order to start a lively class discussion. Each student has to write three short texts and to comment three others. The quality of the text, the commentary, and the individual participation are altogether worth 40 % of the final grade.
2. The final requirement is a class exam (worth 60 % of the final grade).
The second session will be a combination of the above requirements. Information will be communicated after the first session on myULg. |
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| Contacts : | Lecturer
Bernard Fournier, chargé de cours
Département de science politique
Faculté de droit et de science politique
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
Assistant
Elodie Flaba
Phone: 04/366.42.59 - Fax: 04/366.45.57
Email: e.flabaàulg.ac.be (change "à" for "@" without quotation marks) |
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| Remarks : |
- Comparative federalism is a seminar. Therefore, students are required to participate actively and do the readings. 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 part of the final grade.
- More information at http://www.polliege.ulg.ac.be. 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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