POLS1112 - The Political Institutions of Belgium
ECTS - Credits :
3
Lecturer :
Mode of delivery :
Face-to-face , second term, 30 hours of theory.
Timetable :
Language of instruction :
The course is taught in French. However, it occasionally draws on examples/cases taken from Dutch-language press.
Learning outcomes :
Through the analytical lens of political science, this course aims to familiarise students with the institutional architecture of the Belgian political system. At the end of the academic year, students should be able to demonstrate not only a good factual understanding of Belgium's many political institutions, and their respective roles, but also, and drawing on the course's teachings throughout the year, a critical appreciation of Belgian institutions.
Prerequisites and co-requisites / Recommended optional programme components :
Students wishing to follow this course need to have followed Olivier Paye's political sciences course in Q1 of the first year of the undergraduate programme.
Course contents :
While the study of Belgian institutions uses the lens of political sciences, the course draws on at least three other disciplines, disciplines on which the political sciences are founded. These are history, sociology, and law. History, firstly, is fundamental to understanding how the institutions of today emerged in the form they did. Sociology, next, contributes to our understanding, in particular, of how institutions constrain or influence actor behaviour, and finally law, which is, of course, considered as a driver of institutional stability.
The course opens with a brief theoretical introduction to the concept of ‘political institution'. This is followed by a review of the key moments in Belgian political history. However, the lion's share of the course focuses on the characterisation and analysis of the main political institutions (legislative, executive), at federal, regional, community, provincial and local scales. The course might also include consideration of the political role of the institutions of social dialogue. As far as possible, the course draws on examples from current political news.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
As the course is usually taught to large audiences, it is mainly given in a lecture format using PowerPoint presentations. Students are also offered regular opportunities to discuss current developments in the field with the lecturer.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Written examination (2h).
Recommended or required reading :
Various literature sources will be used, mainly from political science. Specific references will be indicated in the summaries of the course made available during the semester.
Other information :
A course syllabus is distributed at the start of the term. While it contains an outline and brief summaries of the topics covered, much of the theoretical discussion and case study examples will not be included. Attendance at course is therefore strongly recommended.
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