2018-2019 / SPOL0090-1

Introduction to Belgian politics

Duration

20h Th

Number of credits

 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Pierre Verjans

Substitute(s)

Maxime Counet

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

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