Teacher(s)
Reuchamps Min; Talukder David (compensates Reuchamps Min);
Language
English
Main themes
This course is an introduction to political science, exploring the founding concepts of the discipline, the institutions, ideologies, actors and practices that structure political life. It is based on concrete questions faced by citizens who wish to understand the workings of politics and living together in contemporary societies.
Among the major questions addressed:
Among the major questions addressed:
- What do the terms politics, polity, policies mean?
- What is the state and how is it structured?
- What is democracy and what types of political systems are there?
- What are the main political ideologies?
- Who are the main political actors?
- What is power and how is it distributed in our societies?
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | to distinguish between different conceptions related to politics, polity and policies; |
| 2 | to define the main founding theories of political science; |
| 3 | to identify the functions and components of the State, the types of political regimes and the major ideologies; |
| 4 | to analyze role and behaviours of political actors; |
| 5 | to apprehend understand the different conceptions of power; |
| 6 | to apply these analytical tools to concrete political situations. |
Content
This introduction to the discipline will refer to concrete questions a student is asking herself/himself, and more generally, any citizen who tries to understand how the political and the civil spheres are organized. What is political action, politics, a policy? What is the meaning of power? What is legitimate power? What is a political system? What is democracy? Which are the principal collective actors of the political system (political parties, special interest groups)? Which are the values, materialists and "post materialists", of the citizens? What about political participation? Which are the principal determinants of the vote? Is there a citizenship’s crisis?
Teaching methods
The course relies on an online course available on Moodle and the content of the weekly sessions, following a schedule that will be announced in the beginning of the course.
Evaluation methods
The evaluation is continuous and ends before the exams’ session. The final grade (from 0 to 20 points) is made of several components:
-
- multiple-choice tests covering the course content;
- tests on current affairs;
- an exercise in drafting questions.
Other information
Smart devices and electronic equipment
The possession and/or use of any smart device or electronic equipment not expressly authorised (including, but not limited to, mobile phones, smart glasses, smartwatches, earphones, etc.) is prohibited throughout the duration of the relevant assessments, even when the device is switched off or not in use.
Use of artificial intelligence
The use of artificial intelligence tools is subject to the rules laid down by the ESPO Faculty in this regard, in particular those set out in the Faculty Board’s circular of 1 July 2024. Students are required to comply with these rules in relation to any work that is subject to assessment.
Irregularities and sanctions
Any breach of the assessment guidelines, whether intentional or not, may be reported as a suspected irregularity and will be dealt with in accordance with the procedure set out in Articles 107 to 113 of the General Regulations on Studies and Assessments (RGEE).
If the jury deems such a breach to constitute an irregularity, it may result in a grade of 0 out of 20 being awarded, without prejudice to any other penalties provided for in the RGEE.
The possession and/or use of any smart device or electronic equipment not expressly authorised (including, but not limited to, mobile phones, smart glasses, smartwatches, earphones, etc.) is prohibited throughout the duration of the relevant assessments, even when the device is switched off or not in use.
Use of artificial intelligence
The use of artificial intelligence tools is subject to the rules laid down by the ESPO Faculty in this regard, in particular those set out in the Faculty Board’s circular of 1 July 2024. Students are required to comply with these rules in relation to any work that is subject to assessment.
Irregularities and sanctions
Any breach of the assessment guidelines, whether intentional or not, may be reported as a suspected irregularity and will be dealt with in accordance with the procedure set out in Articles 107 to 113 of the General Regulations on Studies and Assessments (RGEE).
If the jury deems such a breach to constitute an irregularity, it may result in a grade of 0 out of 20 being awarded, without prejudice to any other penalties provided for in the RGEE.
Bibliography
As complementary materials/Comme supports complémentaires :
Thierry Balzac, Pierre Baudewyns, Vincent Legrand, Jérôme Jamin, Olivier Paye & Nathalie Schiffino Fondements de science politique Louvain-la-Neuve: De Boeck (2022, 2e édition)
Cees van der Eijk The Essence of Politics Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press (2018)
Kris Deschouwer & Marc Hooghe Politiek: een inleiding in de politieke wetenschappen Amsterdam: Boombestuurskunde (2020, zesde druk)
Paul Vandepitte, Min Reuchamps & Carl Devos Lexique. Une explication de concepts historiques et actuels Gent: Academia Press (2013)
Thierry Balzac, Pierre Baudewyns, Vincent Legrand, Jérôme Jamin, Olivier Paye & Nathalie Schiffino Fondements de science politique Louvain-la-Neuve: De Boeck (2022, 2e édition)
Cees van der Eijk The Essence of Politics Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press (2018)
Kris Deschouwer & Marc Hooghe Politiek: een inleiding in de politieke wetenschappen Amsterdam: Boombestuurskunde (2020, zesde druk)
Paul Vandepitte, Min Reuchamps & Carl Devos Lexique. Une explication de concepts historiques et actuels Gent: Academia Press (2013)
Teaching materials
- Moodle
Faculty or entity
