Study Programmes 2016-2017
WARNING : 2015-2016 version of the course specifications
SPOL0090-1  
Introduction to Belgian politics
Duration :
20h Th
Number of credits :
Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...)5
Lecturer :
Maxime Counet
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents :
Belgian politics might appear quite tricky to follow, let alone to understand fully. This has a straitforward explanation : it is !
The first aim of this course is to cover Belgium's political history, federal system, political actors and relations with the outside world.
Also, all provided readings will allow the students to sharpen their conceptual knowledge of federalism and practice their presentation skills.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
This course aims primarily at non-Belgian students. On the basis of lectures, readings and in-class discussions, it will introduce students to the historical, social and economic factors and facts which explain Belgian politics.
This overview will also get the students acquainted with theoretical works and concepts allowing a sharper understanding of federalist dynamics in Belgium.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
No prerequisites.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
After a general overview of Belgium's history and institutions, each session will start with a presentation of a relevant article by a student. The rest of the lesson will be dedicated to its main topic and will aim to deepen the issue comprehension through illustrations and answers to questions.
 The course relies on an active interaction between the students and the lecturer and between the students themselves.
Recommended or required readings :
Apart from the lecturer's presentation, all submitted articles will constitute this course's core (and, therefore, its examination material).
Assessment methods and criteria :
The assessment will be twofold: active participation in class discussions by oral presentations (40% of the final note), on the one hand, and an oral exam on both lecturer's and students' presentations (60% of the final note) on the other hand.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
Maxime Counet maxime.counet@ulg.ac.be Unité des Systèmes Politiques Belges Quartier Agora Place des Orateurs, 3 - boîte 12 B-4000 Sart-Tilman, Belgique +32 4/366.30.38