Introduction to the institutions of Belgium

lhist1160  2022-2023  Louvain-la-Neuve

Introduction to the institutions of Belgium
5.00 credits
22.5 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Debruyne Emmanuel; Sappia Caroline;
Language
French
Prerequisites
A minimal "familiarity" with Belgian human geography and events.
Main themes
Alternating general glimpses of the great epochs of Belgium's past and in-depth lectures on more specific questions (origins of the linguistic boundaries, balances of power in the medieval principalities, XVIIIth century "modernity", linguistic and community questions, for ex.).
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 A student having followed this course should have mastery of the geopolitical and institutional limits of the territories composing the Kingdom of Belgium today, from the Roman period to present, and be able to understand the historical foundations of structures and mentalities of contemporary Belgium.
 
Content
The course deals with the institutional evolution of Belgium since the period of the emergence of the Belgian nation-state (late 18th-early 19th century). It focuses on the institutions that make up the executive, legislative and judicial powers, as well as the federated entities, the communes and the provinces.
To explain the institutional evolution of Belgium, the terms nation and state, but also pilarisation and communitarisation, are used as points of reference. The parties, major actors of the representative democracy, are the subject of a treatment highlighting their history and their specificities.
Teaching methods
Lecture based on a multimedia presentation.
Active participation through assignments.
Interaction and exchange strongly encouraged.
Evaluation methods
In this course, students are evaluated in two ways:
- Continuous assessment including 2 assignments:
1.      Contribution to the dictionary of Belgian political figures on Moodle (15%)
2.      Summary of an article from CRISP or La Revue Nouvelle on a Belgian political or institutional theme (10%)
- The final written exam on the course material (75%)
These modalities are valid for June and September.
Other information
Organization of a visit to the Parliament or the Senate or to another place of Belgium's political and institutional history.
Online resources
Moodle Website LHIST 1160.
Bibliography
La bibliographie se trouve sur le site Moodle du cours et est actualisée annuellement.
Faculty or entity
EHAC


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Bachelor in History