Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
| Bachelor in political sciences : general | 4 crédits |
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
This course focuses on the importance of objects in (geo)political, historical, economic, and social dynamics. Everyday objects will be analyzed in depth, such as: a pesticide, a bouillon cube, a genetic test, a blood bag, a seed, a plastic bag, a highway bridge, a boat, a freezer, a jar of pickles, a Bluetooth speaker, a candle, lemonade, a smartphone...
Contrary to views that seek to exclude them from the political sphere and reduce them to a seemingly mundane existence, these objects will be presented and examined as micro-worlds resulting from broader (economic, political, technological) dynamics: economic and geopolitical "condensates." Using a unique problem-based learning approach, this course will highlight the complexities and "hidden" networks within seemingly simple objects that are at the root of political, economic, health, racial, environmental, and climate injustices.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
This course pursues several learning objectives by enabling students to:
- broaden their understanding of the political sphere beyond human or institutional actors alone and be able to identify new issues;
- to become familiar with basic concepts and approaches in the field of social studies of science and technology through the analysis of objects;
- to develop analytical skills to understand complex (geo)political, historical, economic, and social dynamics based on everyday objects;
- to master the "implosion" learning method, a process of constructing and sharing concrete, situated knowledge that connects and stimulates the intersectional dimensions, networks, and communities of human and non-human actors linked to objects.
Guiding Principle on the Use of Artificial Intelligence: The use of generative AI tools is permitted in this course, provided the following principle is observed: AI may be used as a heuristic tool-to generate ideas, challenge ongoing reasoning, reframe an intuition, or play devil's advocate regarding an initial hypothesis-but under no circumstances may it replace documentary verification or serve as the source of factual claims in the submitted work. Any use of AI must be documented in the "Methodological Traceability" section described below.
By the end of the course, students will be able to view objects as "implosions" whose histories must be unpacked and to recognize the connections between scientific disciplines and scales of analysis (from the microscopic to the macroscopic and vice versa). In this way, students will strengthen their descriptive skills and be prepared to write more comprehensive histories of the world, striving for greater objectivity.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
None
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course consists of 11 two-hour sessions, structured as follows: one general introductory session, six sessions each focusing on a specific topic from the syllabus (two topics prepared by each instructor), two to three workshop sessions, and one general concluding session. Time will also be set aside for summaries and practical exercises.
Students will receive a bibliography specific to each topic covered in the course, to help them review and deepen their knowledge. Active student participation is strongly encouraged during each session.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
In person (attending and participating in classes) with homework assignments (reading reference materials).
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The slides and a collection of essential readings will be made available to the students.
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Further information:
Student evaluation will be based, on the one hand, on active participation during class sessions (ongoing assessment by instructors, 30% of the final grade) and, second, on a written assignment (70% of the final grade) in which each student will demonstrate their mastery of the topics covered in class, their knowledge of the texts in the reading portfolio, and their ability to demonstrate creativity. For this written assignment (7 pages maximum), students must choose an everyday object not covered in class and describe it using the "implosion" method. The assignment will consist of three parts:
- Personal Introduction (at the beginning of the assignment, in any format-drawing, poem, song, sound, photograph... [not paginated]): a personal introduction to the chosen object, answering the question: Why did you choose this object?
- Implosion (5 pages maximum): an analysis of the object based on 3 to 4 dimensions selected and justified from among those presented in the course-the choice of dimensions, and what they reveal or conceal about the object, is part of what is evaluated.
- Methodological Traceability (approximately 2 pages, references included): a chronological account of the research process-which avenues were explored, in what order; which sources were used and why; which avenues were discarded and why; and if AI tools were used, when and with what results (including any uses that were rejected or corrected after verification).
Work placement(s)
Irrelevant.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course will be held every Tuesday (2:00-4:00 p.m.), starting on September 29 and running through May XX. Room: Margaret Mead (B31).
Contacts
Pierre Delvenne (pierre.delvenne@uliege.be), Kim Hendrickx (khendrickx@uliege.be), François Thoreau (fthoreau@uliege.be). Tel: 04/3663102