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| ECON0100-2 | Introduction to Political Economy
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| Duration : | 30h Th, 15h Pr |
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| Number of credits : |
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| Lecturer : | Jacques Defourny |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Course contents :
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| This course covers some of the main contemporary economic questions through a comparative analysis of the current economic regimes in industrialised countries. As a matter of fact, beyond an apparent generalisation of the so-called "capitalist" system, significant structural differences remain among large regions of the world (Europe, the United States, Japan,...), but also within the European Union.
The first part of the course introduces several concepts and analytical grids allowing to apprehend the variety of economic regimes, in particular the possible variants of capitalism.
In a second main part, the evolution of capitalist regimes is studied through the analysis of three main types of actors. The private sector is examined from some fundamental points of view, namely the increasing economic integration and the control and behaviour of enterprises or groups of enterprises. The place and role of public authorities are grasped through the various economic functions of the state. Finally, the course will aim to improve the knowledge of an often undervalued actor, the so-called "social economy", which includes both the non-profit private sector (associations, mutual organisations and foundations) and organisations not having the search for profit as their main goal (co-operatives).
The third part of the course will mainly address the structural transformations of former socialist economies in the ex-USSR and Central and Eastern Europe. Given its importance and rapid evolution, the Chinese model will also be studied. |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| Introduction to the understanding of fundamental mechanisms of contemporary economic regimes. |
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| None. |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
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| Two sessions organized by the assistant are devoted to questions of students about the contents of the "syllabus" and to guidelines to best exploit the "Collection of readings". |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| Two-hour lessons (lectures).
The student must complement the lectures by the in-depth and structured reading of a "Collection of readings" proposing illustrations and complementary points of view on the themes studied during classes. |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| Book of reference: Defourny, J., Introduction aux systèmes économiques (teacher's notes, available at Point de Vue).
Important: the only forms of notes allowed in the articles of the "collection of readings" are the following: underlining, encirclements, colour highlighting and numbering. Any form of text added to these documents will be immediately sanctioned at the exam. |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| Written exam on:
1. the whole syllabus addressed during classes (teacher's notes and oral lectures);
2. the "Collection of readings", which can be consulted during 20 minutes at the exam. |
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Contacts :
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| Teacher: Prof. J. DEFOURNY (building B 33, second floor, office 2.10)
Assistant : Séverine THYS (B 33, second floor, office 2.11)
email: severine.thys@ulg.ac.be
tel. : 04/366 30 43 |
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