Teacher(s)
Language
English
Main themes
The course covers the fundamental concepts of political science: the scientific approach of the discipline, the concept of power, and the nature of the state. It also analyses the links between political science and law, from both an institutional and philosophical perspective.
It studies political regimes (democratic regimes, authoritarian regimes, totalitarian regimes) and compares their characteristics.
It then focuses on the actors on the political scene: political parties; voters; citizens in their individual or collective engagement through social movements.
Finally, it addresses justice as a public policy.
The theoretical concepts covered in the course will be illustrated with examples from Belgian and international current affairs, particularly concerning the theme of women's rights and participation in politics; the challenges of sustainable developmen; and issues of decolonisation of thought, politics and international relations.
It studies political regimes (democratic regimes, authoritarian regimes, totalitarian regimes) and compares their characteristics.
It then focuses on the actors on the political scene: political parties; voters; citizens in their individual or collective engagement through social movements.
Finally, it addresses justice as a public policy.
The theoretical concepts covered in the course will be illustrated with examples from Belgian and international current affairs, particularly concerning the theme of women's rights and participation in politics; the challenges of sustainable developmen; and issues of decolonisation of thought, politics and international relations.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| In line with the learning outcomes framework for the law programme, this course contributes to the development and acquisition of the following skills: I. Acquiring general knowledge and interdisciplinary skills: developing knowledge in the humanities and social sciences that is not legal in nature but complementary to it, in order to promote an interdisciplinary approach to legal phenomena and the social and political phenomena that underlie them. IV. Acquiring analytical, reflective and argumentative skills based on concrete situations and developing critical thinking through numerous examples linking law and political science. V. Mastering written and oral communication in English. Develop transferable skills: develop a sense of autonomy in carrying out a variety of study and reading tasks (organisational skills, work planning, meeting deadlines, etc.), refine personal ethics in the pursuit of one's studies and in one's contacts with others (personal positioning consistent with one's own values, sense of the general interest, respect for others, etc.). More specifically, at the end of the course, students will be able to strengthen their understanding of the scientific criteria of the humanities, both legal and non-legal, based on a discussion of the scientific dimension of political science. They will also be able to understand the political context that constitutes both the basis of the rule of law and the result of the evolution of law, the latter being, in both approaches, conceived as a balance of power that is more or less peaceful depending on the type of political regime. |
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Content
This teaching unit will cover the following four topics:
Part 1. General introduction and fundamental concepts
1.1. Introductory session: What is political science? Why include a political science course in a law programme?
1.2. Power, authority and legitimacy
1.3. A portrait of the state
Part 2. Political regimes
2.1. Authoritarian and totalitarian regimes
2.2. Democracy
Part 3. Political actors
3.1. Political parties: Genealogy and organisation
3.2. Elections and electoral behaviour
3.3. Political socialisation and political participation; Social movements: Resources, repertoires and mobilisation
Part 4. Policy analysis
4.1. Public policy: Definition and analysis; Understanding justice as public policy
Part 1. General introduction and fundamental concepts
1.1. Introductory session: What is political science? Why include a political science course in a law programme?
1.2. Power, authority and legitimacy
1.3. A portrait of the state
Part 2. Political regimes
2.1. Authoritarian and totalitarian regimes
2.2. Democracy
Part 3. Political actors
3.1. Political parties: Genealogy and organisation
3.2. Elections and electoral behaviour
3.3. Political socialisation and political participation; Social movements: Resources, repertoires and mobilisation
Part 4. Policy analysis
4.1. Public policy: Definition and analysis; Understanding justice as public policy
Teaching methods
Lectures in a large audience theatre, exclusively in person and without recording of sessions, with the exception of the inaugural session (for the presentation of the teaching programme, assessment methods, etc.).
Additional reading (of 1 or 2 chapters of a book and/or articles) may also be required to illustrate or explore certain aspects of the course.
Additional reading (of 1 or 2 chapters of a book and/or articles) may also be required to illustrate or explore certain aspects of the course.
Evaluation methods
Type of assessment (and any measures): written examination
Language of assessment: English
Assessment criteria: the examination consists of both a multiple-choice questionnaire, worth half the marks, and open-ended questions on the content of the course covered in lectures and/or on the readings provided to students.
Other details: no documents are permitted during the examination, not even a dictionary (permitted exclusively for exchange students).
Language of assessment: English
Assessment criteria: the examination consists of both a multiple-choice questionnaire, worth half the marks, and open-ended questions on the content of the course covered in lectures and/or on the readings provided to students.
Other details: no documents are permitted during the examination, not even a dictionary (permitted exclusively for exchange students).
Other information
A good command of English (level B1 or B2) is required to take this course, as none of the parts are taught in French and all interactions with the teacher will be in English.
No use of artificial intelligence is required for this course; its use is not possible within the assessment framework.
The course is taught in Q2
No use of artificial intelligence is required for this course; its use is not possible within the assessment framework.
The course is taught in Q2
Online resources
All course materials (PowerPoint slides) are available on Moodle, week by week, as are the articles or chapters that will be required reading.
If additional resources are offered (for illustration or supplementation), they will also be made available on Moodle.
If additional resources are offered (for illustration or supplementation), they will also be made available on Moodle.
Bibliography
available at Brussels/St Louis campus library:
- BROWN, Garrett W., McLEAN, Iain, McMILLAN, Alistair (2018), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics and International Relations, Oxford University Press > available at the library
- GARNER, Robert, FERDINAND, Peter, LAWSON, Stephanie (2016), Introduction to Politics, Oxford, Oxford University Press > available at the library
- HAGUE, Rod, HARROP, Martin, McCORMICK, John (2019), Political Science. A Comparative Introduction, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan
- BROWN, Garrett W., McLEAN, Iain, McMILLAN, Alistair (2018), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics and International Relations, Oxford University Press > available at the library
- GARNER, Robert, FERDINAND, Peter, LAWSON, Stephanie (2016), Introduction to Politics, Oxford, Oxford University Press > available at the library
- HAGUE, Rod, HARROP, Martin, McCORMICK, John (2019), Political Science. A Comparative Introduction, Basingstoke, Palgrave MacMillan
Faculty or entity
