2019-2020 / SPOL2102-1

Seminar on current Belgian political issues

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in political sciences : general (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general (60 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Geoffroy Matagne, Pierre Verjans

Coordinator

N...

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course is held every odd year (2019-2020).
This seminar aims at studying contemporary Belgian politics through the analysis of key topical issues. The introductory lecture is devoted to the discussion of some useful analytical elements and tools. Main cleavages and public policy analysis theories are presented. During following sessions, students will make presentations and discuss specific issues linked to Belgian politics contemporary developments. In a final lecture, general lessons will be drawn.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The seminar objectives are three-fold. It aims at helping the student to:
- deepen his/her understanding of the stakes and mechanisms of contemporary Belgian politics;
- develop his/her ability to apply to an actual and bounded case the theoretical and methodological knowledge he/she has acquired during his/her university education;
- reinforce his/her presentation and discussion of research results skills.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Corequis: Belgian political history.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

The seminar takes place in the first semester. Students have to prepare a short paper (ten pages maximum) and make a presentation (20 minutes maximum) on a Belgian politics topical issue. They need to choose a specific analytical grid in agreement with the teachers. The organization of the sessions and the preparation of the presentations will be discussed during the first sesssion.

Recommended or required readings

Recommended reading:
BEAUFAYS J, MATAGNE G (éditeurs), La Belgique en mutation. Systèmes politiques et politiques publiques (1968-2008), Bruylant, Bruxelles, 2009.
CLAISSE F, COUNET M, VERJANS P, Introduction aux doctrines et idées politiques, De Boeck, Bruxelles, 2017.

Assessment methods and criteria

First session : 30 % for the presentation, 10 % for participation and 60 % for the written paper. Second session : written paper.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Students are required to participate actively in the seminar. Class participation is graded.
The course is held every uneven year (2019-2020).

Contacts

Geoffroy Matagne Maître de conférences Département de science politique Phone: 04/366.30.38 E-mail: gmatagne(a)uliege.be
Pierre Verjans Chargé de cours Département de science politique Phone: 04/366.30.34 E-mail: pverjans(a)uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

Students that were abroad (Erasmus programme) during the first semester are invited to send an email to the teachers.

Assessment subjects

Assessment methods

Written paper to be submitted by email by 2nd June 2020.

Contacts

Geoffroy Matagne Maître de conférences Département de science politique E-mail: gmatagne(a)uliege.be
Pierre Verjans Chargé de cours Département de science politique E-mail: pverjans(a)uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

Assessment methods

Written papers to be submitted by mail by 20th August 2020.
Teachers are available, upon appointment made by email, for discussing research topics and the advancement of research from the 6th to the 10th July 2020.
 

Contacts

Geoffroy Matagne Maître de conférences Département de science politique E-mail: gmatagne(a)uliege.be
Pierre Verjans Chargé de cours Département de science politique E-mail: pverjans(a)uliege.be