Optional Courses and Minors

3rd-year information and communication students must take a minimum of 15 ECTS credits of optional courses, and a 3rd-year student’s total course load must be a minimum of 60 ECTS credits.

Students may choose their programme of optional courses according to one of three models:

Open choice of optional courses : in this case, students are entirely free to choose the courses that will constitute their programme of optional courses. They are also free to determine the number of courses and ECTS credits to be taken during the first and second terms. They may choose any course from the list below unless a similar course has previously been taken as a compulsory course in their main degree programme or if they do not satisfy a course’s prerequisites.

The specialisation minor: in this case, students choose courses totalling 20 ECTS credits from among a specific group of courses in their main field of study.

The diversification minor: in this case, students choose courses totalling 20 ECTS credits from among a specific group of courses in a given field other than their main field of study.

Due to scheduling constraints, the University cannot guarantee the schedule compatibility of the various minors, nor of the open-choice model. Students who wish to follow the second term of their third year in another university, in the framework of an exchange programme, may not choose to work towards a minor.

Complete list of open-choice and minor optional courses for students enrolled in information and communication

Discipline: political sciences (if students choose courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits in this discipline, they work towards a diversification minor in political science)

HDPO1312 - Analysis of international relations (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

HDPO1321 - Law, Governance and Sustainable development (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

SPOL1312 - International Relations (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

HDPO1316 - Transformations and contemporary urban politics (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

SPOL1214 - (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SPOL1315 - (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SPOL1322 - Public Policy Analysis (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

POLS1320 - Media and politics (Q2, 30h, 4 ECTS)

SPOL1316 - (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SPOL1311 - Seminar of Analysis of international relations (Q2, 30h, 4 ECTS)

HDPO1320 - (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

HDPO1315 - EU Politics (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

SPOL1215 - International organizations (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

HDDR1361 - (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

HDPO1317 - Political parties and lobby groups (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

FILO1318 - Political philosophy (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

POLS1112 - The Political Institutions of Belgium (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS) SPOL1313 - Comparative politics (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

SOCA1310 - (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

Discipline: sociology and anthropology (if students choose courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits in this discipline, they work towards a diversification minor in sociology and anthropology

POLS1321 - (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SOCA1311 - Socio-anthropology of the sexual and affective field (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SOCA1312 - (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

ECGE1321 - Organizational studies (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SPOL1310 - Special issues of political sociology  (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

HDPO1319 - Intercultural relations and migrations (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

SOCA1310 - (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SOCA1210 - Sociology of culture (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SPOL1210 - Political sociology (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

HIST1312 - Historical anthropology (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SOCA1330 - Observation Methods (A, 30h, 3 ECTS)

Discipline: economics and management (if students choose courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits in this discipline, they work towards a diversification minor in economics and management)

ECGE1112 - Basis of accounting (Q1, 45h+15h, 5 ECTS)

ECGE1320 - Management and strategy (Q1, 30h, 4 ECTS)

ECGE1210 - Micro economy (Q1, 45h+15h, 5 ECTS)

ECGE1322 - Marketing (Q1, 30h+15h, 4 ECTS)

HDPO1222 - Economic Policy (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

ECGE1312 - History of the economic theories (Q2, 30h, 4 ECTS)

ECGE1214 - Human Resource Management (Q2, 30h, 4 ECTS)

ECGE1211 - Macro economy (Q2, 45h+15h, 5 ECTS)

DROI1272 - Special questions of economic law (Q2, 30h, 4 ECTS)

Discipline: law (if students choose courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits in this discipline, they work towards a diversification minor in law)

SPOL1320 - Special Topic in Public Law (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SPOL1321 - Law of the European institutions (Q1, 45h, 6 ECTS) (HD)

ECGE1220 - Commercial law (Q1, 45h, 4 ECTS)

DROI1261 - Intellectual Property Law (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

DROI1213 - Criminal Law (Q1, 60h, 6 ECTS)

HDDR1315 - Labour law (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

SPOL1314 - Introduction to the Law and Institutions of the European Union (Q1, 45h, 6 ECTS)

HDDR1360 - Introduction to comparative law (Q2, 45h, 4,5 ECTS) (HD)

Droit administratif (Q2, 60h, 6 ECTS) (HD)

Société de l'information et droit (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

Introduction au droit comparé (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

Introduction à la pensée pénale et criminologique II (if have followed DROI1213 - Criminal Law) (Q2, 15h, 2 ECTS)*

DROI1214 - Criminal procedure (if have followed DROI1213 - Criminal Law) (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

Discipline: history (if students choose courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits in this discipline, they work towards a diversification minor in history)

HIST1221 - History of the Middle Ages I: Political and institutional aspects (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

HIST1219 - History of Modern Times I: political and institutional aspects (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

HIST1111 - Source Criticism (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

ECGE1120 - Economic and social history since the industrial era (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

HIST1314 - (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

HIST1312 - Historical anthropology (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

COMU1212 - Social-history of media (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

HIST1216 - History of Antiquity I : Political and institutional aspects (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

Discipline: philosophy (if students choose courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits in this discipline, they work towards a diversification minor in philosophy)

FILO1213 - Epistemology of human sciences (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

FILO1217 - Philosophy of art and literature (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

FILO1216 - Philosophy of Religion (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

FILO1313 - Ethical special Issues (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

FILO1311 - Philosophy of history (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

FILO1210 - Philosophical anthropology (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

FILO1318 - Political philosophy (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

Discipline: criminology (if students choose courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits in this discipline, they work towards a diversification minor in criminology)

DROI1213 - Criminal Law (including Introduction à la pensée pénale et criminologique I) (Q1, 60h+15h, 7 ECTS)  Note: this course is to be followed in 2nd-year BA

DROI1266 - Introduction à la pensée pénale et criminologique II (Q2, 15h, 2 ECTS)*

DROI1273 - Special issues of psychology relating to law and human sciences (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

DROI1214 - Criminal procedure (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

Discipline: art and literature (if students choose courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits in this discipline, they work towards a diversification minor in art and literature)

HIST1224 - (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

FILO1217 - Philosophy of art and literature (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

ROMA1215 - Theory of literature (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

DROI1262 - Law and litterature (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

HIST1225 - (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

ROMA1317 - Writing and literature in the different media (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

ROMA1120 - (A, 60h, 6 ECTS)

COMU1311 - Comparative Literature (A, 30h, 3 ECTS)

HIST1223 - General art history (A, 60h, 6 ECTS)

Discipline: organisation, work and communication (if students choose courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits in this discipline, they work towards a diversification minor in organisation, work and communication)

ECGE1321 - Organizational studies (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

ECGE1320 - Management and strategy (Q1, 30h, 4 ECTS)

HDDR1315 - Labour law (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

MIHE1324 - Public Relations Theory (IHECS) (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

MIHE1339 - (IHECS) (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

HIST1111 - Source Criticism (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

HDPO1319 - Intercultural relations and migrations (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

COMU1315 - Communication and organizations (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

ECGE1214 - Human Resource Management (Q2, 30h, 4 ECTS)

Discipline: European studies (if students choose courses amounting to 15 ECTS credits in this discipline, they work towards a diversification minor in European studies)

HIST1122 - The History of European Integration (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)*

SPOL1321 - Law of the European institutions (Q1, 45h, 6 ECTS) (HD)

OR SPOL1314 - Introduction to the Law and Institutions of the European Union (Q1, 45h, 6 ECTS)

SPOL1316 - (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

SOCA1313 - (Q2, 22,5h, 3 ECTS)

HDPO1315 - EU Politics (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS) (HD)

ECGE1317 - European economics (Q2, 30h, 4 ECTS)*

The following courses can also be taken among as free-choice optional courses.

COMU1211 - Corporate communication and public relations (Q1, 30h, 3 ECTS)

HIST1310 - Images, films and society (Q2, 30h, 3 ECTS)

COMU1313 - International Communications (Q2, 30h, 4 ECTS)

COMU1315 - Communication and organizations

Courses followed by "*" may not be taken as open-choice optional courses.

Specialisation minor in applied communication

The specialisation minor offered in information and communication is intended for students who are considering continuing their second-cycle (Master’s) studies at the IHECS institute. Following one of the four options of this minor in applied communication is a prerequisite for automatic admission to the Master’s programme organised by IHECS in the corresponding field. In order to fully qualify for access to a second-cycle programme, students must also satisfy two other requirements: 1) have followed a transitional module of 3 x 8 hrs. covering media use and manipulation organised by IHECS in August-September 2013; 2) demonstrate a minimum level of knowledge of English and Dutch or German. Note: this minor is only open to a maximum of 10 students per year with a maximum of 5 students per option. If necessary, a selection procedure will be organised at the beginning of the 3rd year.

On the other hand, as this minor amounts to more than 15 ECTS credits, those who follow it will be exempted from one mandatory course in their standard program.

In a nutshell, students must choose one of the four options listed below. These options correspond to the fields offered at IHECS at the Master’s level. Each of the minor options has two components: the first includes an introduction to three particular media, each involving a course in Principes et languages - Principles and Languages (30 hrs.) and a course in Techniques et pratique - Techniques and Exercises (30 hrs.); the second part includes two 30-hr. thematic courses.

Option: Press and Information

MIHE1329 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1331 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1330 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1311 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1315 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1313 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1322 - The Ethics of Information (Q1, 30h, 2 ECTS)

MIHE1328 - International Politics (Q2, 30h, 2 ECTS)

Option: Socio-cultural Activities and Life-long Learning

MIHE1333 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1331 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1317 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1315 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1318 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1338 - (Q1, 30h, 2 ECTS)

MIHE1327 - (Q2, 30h, 2 ECTS)

Option: Public Relations

MIHE1333 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1332 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1317 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1316 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1318 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1310 - (Q2, 30h, 2 ECTS)

MIHE1319 - Human Resource Management (Q2, 30h, 2 ECTS)

Option: Advertising and Commercial Communication

MIHE1329 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1332 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

OR MIHE1333 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1331 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

OR MIHE1330 - (Q1, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1311 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1316 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

OR MIHE1317 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1315 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

OR MIHE1313 - (Q2, 30h, 2,5 ECTS)

MIHE1339 - (Q1, 30h, 2 ECTS)

MIHE1337 - (Q2, 30h, 2 ECTS)

The courses included in this specialisation minor may not be taken as open-choice optional courses.