Teacher(s)
Language
French
Main themes
Seminar on changing topics selected from current issues relating to families, couples and sexuality. The selected topics are studied through recent scientific publications from different areas in human sciences.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | To make students better aware of aspects of family, marital and sexual life and their complexities. |
Content
The Seminar
The seminar addresses a set of core concepts in family and sexuality studies. These concepts originate from various disciplines within the human and social sciences (anthropology, law, economics, history, sociology, psychology, etc.) and are complemented by theoretical elements from the life sciences (medical biology, public health, etc.). The seminar also aims to familiarize participants with the scientific methods of knowledge production. Students are expected to identify relevant scientific publications, develop literature reviews, and present, both orally and in writing, the results of their bibliographic research.
Curriculum Contribution
This module also contributes to the University’s objective of providing training on the challenges of sustainable development and ecological transition. Students will identify and examine the processes through which, or the extent to which, family and marital practices affect the environment, and how the environmental crisis affects family and intimacy practices.
The seminar addresses a set of core concepts in family and sexuality studies. These concepts originate from various disciplines within the human and social sciences (anthropology, law, economics, history, sociology, psychology, etc.) and are complemented by theoretical elements from the life sciences (medical biology, public health, etc.). The seminar also aims to familiarize participants with the scientific methods of knowledge production. Students are expected to identify relevant scientific publications, develop literature reviews, and present, both orally and in writing, the results of their bibliographic research.
Curriculum Contribution
This module also contributes to the University’s objective of providing training on the challenges of sustainable development and ecological transition. Students will identify and examine the processes through which, or the extent to which, family and marital practices affect the environment, and how the environmental crisis affects family and intimacy practices.
Teaching methods
Learning Methodology and Structure
This Teaching Unit is based on "flipped learning" and "project-based learning" approaches. The program begins with traditional lectures. It continues with supervised group work. It concludes with the production of an individual poster presenting a thesis project.
Workload and Attendance
This seminar is worth 10 ECTS credits. This requires a personal investment of approximately 250 to 300 hours of work over the four-month academic period (quarter). The time dedicated to group work and individual study significantly exceeds the time spent in class sessions (2 hours per week).
Most seminar sessions are interactive. Student attendance at the scheduled in-person times is strongly recommended. Participation in group work is mandatory (failure to meet this requirement may result in the student being barred from sitting the examination, according to articles 71, 72, and 73 of the RGEE).
The specific class schedule will be communicated during the first session and posted on Moodle at the start of the quarter.
This Teaching Unit is based on "flipped learning" and "project-based learning" approaches. The program begins with traditional lectures. It continues with supervised group work. It concludes with the production of an individual poster presenting a thesis project.
Workload and Attendance
This seminar is worth 10 ECTS credits. This requires a personal investment of approximately 250 to 300 hours of work over the four-month academic period (quarter). The time dedicated to group work and individual study significantly exceeds the time spent in class sessions (2 hours per week).
Most seminar sessions are interactive. Student attendance at the scheduled in-person times is strongly recommended. Participation in group work is mandatory (failure to meet this requirement may result in the student being barred from sitting the examination, according to articles 71, 72, and 73 of the RGEE).
The specific class schedule will be communicated during the first session and posted on Moodle at the start of the quarter.
Evaluation methods
Assessment Structure
Evaluation is continuous. Various deliverables—such as written texts, videos, and oral presentations—will be assessed throughout the course. The grading will be divided between group work (40%) and individual work (60%).
For the second session, the assessment will focus on an individual written assignment and an oral examination.
Academic Integrity and Originality
Individual assignments must be original productions composed solely by the student. These compositions must be based on scientifically published sources and properly cited. A text produced by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system is not considered an original student submission. However, the use of library research software and internal AI services provided by the UCLouvain is encouraged, provided that such usage adheres strictly to the recommendations set forth by the Vice-Rectorate for Student Affairs.
Depending on the health policies implemented, student oral presentations may take place online.
Evaluation is continuous. Various deliverables—such as written texts, videos, and oral presentations—will be assessed throughout the course. The grading will be divided between group work (40%) and individual work (60%).
For the second session, the assessment will focus on an individual written assignment and an oral examination.
Academic Integrity and Originality
Individual assignments must be original productions composed solely by the student. These compositions must be based on scientifically published sources and properly cited. A text produced by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system is not considered an original student submission. However, the use of library research software and internal AI services provided by the UCLouvain is encouraged, provided that such usage adheres strictly to the recommendations set forth by the Vice-Rectorate for Student Affairs.
Depending on the health policies implemented, student oral presentations may take place online.
Other information
Course Resources: Teaching materials will include: a collaboratively built bibliography, slideshows, multimedia resources available on Moodle, dedicated Teams channels for small group work, and assessment rubrics.
Research Language Requirement: Given that English is one of the most commonly used languages in scientific research, students are expected to mobilize and utilize a proportion of their bibliographic sources written in English.
Research Language Requirement: Given that English is one of the most commonly used languages in scientific research, students are expected to mobilize and utilize a proportion of their bibliographic sources written in English.
Online resources
Digital Resources and Platforms:
The seminar's Moodle page collects all the scientific literature covered in class, along with methodological, thematic, and disciplinary resources presented on various formats.
Certain pedagogical activities will be conducted using Teams.
The Infosphère platform guides students through the proper completion of bibliographic research assignments.
The seminar's Moodle page collects all the scientific literature covered in class, along with methodological, thematic, and disciplinary resources presented on various formats.
Certain pedagogical activities will be conducted using Teams.
The Infosphère platform guides students through the proper completion of bibliographic research assignments.
Bibliography
Entre autres :
Servais, P., Ed. (2014). Regards sur la famille, le couple et la sexualité. Un demi-siècle de mutations. Famille, couple, sexualité. Louvain-la-Neuve, Academia-L'Harmattan.
Wauthier, P.-Y. (2026). Faire parenté dans l’Anthropocène. Propositions pour repenser les liens quotidiens dans des territoires en mutations. Ethnologie française, Vol. 55(1), 119-137. doi: 10.3917/ethn.261.0119
Weber, F., & Wauthier, P.-Y. (2026). Question environnementale, tensions dans la parenté ? Une Introduction. Ethnologie française, Vol. 55(1), 10-19. doi: 10.3917/ethn.261.0010
Servais, P., Ed. (2014). Regards sur la famille, le couple et la sexualité. Un demi-siècle de mutations. Famille, couple, sexualité. Louvain-la-Neuve, Academia-L'Harmattan.
Wauthier, P.-Y. (2026). Faire parenté dans l’Anthropocène. Propositions pour repenser les liens quotidiens dans des territoires en mutations. Ethnologie française, Vol. 55(1), 119-137. doi: 10.3917/ethn.261.0119
Weber, F., & Wauthier, P.-Y. (2026). Question environnementale, tensions dans la parenté ? Une Introduction. Ethnologie française, Vol. 55(1), 10-19. doi: 10.3917/ethn.261.0010
Faculty or entity