Learning outcomes

To provide students with solid information on key concepts and the evolution of political institutions in Belgium in the contemporary period.

Goals

1. Understand the politics in the country where you live/study. 2. Identify the political cleavages that explain the structuring of contemporary Belgian politics, the institutional architecture of Belgium and its evolutions.

Content

Part I traces the history of the main cleavages in Belgium (1789-1961). Part II presents the updated theory of cleavages and pillars (1961-2021). It presents the institutions of contemporary Belgium and the main actors in public life from a political perspective.

Assessment method

Written exam for part I (1/3 of the final grade) and for part II (2/3 of the final grade). The passing of a partim (minimum 10/20) in the first session allows to obtain an exemption for the second session.

Sources, references and any support material

Mabille X., 2011, Nouvelle histoire poli.que de la Belgique, Brussels, CRISP. Deschouwer K., 2012, The Poli.cs of Belgium: Governing a Divided Society, London, Palgrave Macmillan. Reading portfolio via WebCampus.

Language of instruction

Français