Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Political systems of the Western Balkans
The aim of this course is to study the Western Balkans region which is currently composed of six states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. More specifically, it aims to analyze (at the domestic level) political systems, state and non-state actors, and political and socio-economic issues, as well as (externally) the bilateral and international relations of these six countries. The course will be based on an "intermestic" approach where the internal society and its place in the regional, European and international space will be analyzed.
Contents:
First session: Introduction, purpose and objective of the course. The following concepts will also be analyzed: Balkans, South-East Europe, Western Balkans, Balkanization, Europeanization.
Second session: The major features of the Western Balkans in terms of geography, history, social, economic, political and strategic issues.
Third session: Systems and political regimes (organization of states, political regimes in place, socio-economic organization).
Fourth session: Issues related to war and peace in the Western Balkans.
Fifth session: The Western Balkans towards integration into the European Union (EU enlargement, democratization and the transformation process of these countries)
Sixth session: Regional Cooperation, Interconnectivity and Reconciliation in the Western Balkans. The positioning of the Western Balkans in relation to the EU and the emerging powers.
The other sessions will be devoted to the oral presentations of the students.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
To have theoretical and empirical notions in political science.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is divided into two parts. The first part is theoretical and empirical. It is treated by the holder. The second part is based on student presentations. The interventions of the holder and the students are based on PowerPoint presentations.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
The teaching takes place in the form of ex-cathedra lessons during the first six sessions. The rest of the course is intended for oral presentations of students on a specific topic in the Western Balkans. The presence and active participation of students are strongly recommended throughout the semester. Depending on the opportunities presented, a limited number of external speakers will be invited to participate in the course.
Recommended or required readings
The course is based on notes prepared by the holder and mandatory or recommended readings
Assessment methods and criteria
Active participation, oral presentation and written work (50%), and oral exam (50%).
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Students are strongly advised to attend the course regularly. Knowledge of English is desired.
Students who have attended the Séminare de relations internationales (SPOL2226-1) for the past year (2018-2019), will not be able to choose the Questions approfondies des sciences politiques, en relations internationales (SPOL3012-1) during the academic year 2019-2020.
Contacts
Liridon Lika, Center for International Relations Studies (CEFIR), B31, level 0, Office R.77 ; e-mail : Liridon.Lika@uliege.be; Tel. : 043 66 42 59.
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session
Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning
The course and the exam took place during the first quarter.
Assessment subjects
The subject taught during the oral course and the compulsory course book.
Assessment methods
For students who did not have the opportunity to take the oral exam in January because they were on Erasmus mobility, they will take an oral exam in June.
Contacts
Liridon Lika
Liridon.Lika@uliege.be
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session
Assessment subjects
The subject taught during the oral course and the compulsory course book.
Assessment methods
Written work (50%) and oral exam (50%) through the Lifesize videoconferencing platform recommended by the University of Liège.
Contacts
Liridon Lika
Liridon.Lika@uliege.be