2024-2025 / SPOL9217-1

Comparative analysis of public governance in Belgium

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in public administration (Even years, organized in 2024-2025) 5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in European policies (Even years, organized in 2024-2025) 5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in international relations (Even years, organized in 2024-2025) 5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in science, technology and society (en Science, Technologie et Société (STS)) (Even years, organized in 2024-2025) 5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general (60 ECTS) (Even years, organized in 2024-2025) 5 crédits 
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) (Faculty of Law, Political Science and Criminology) (Even years, organized in 2024-2025) 5 crédits 

Lecturer

Damien Piron

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course focuses on Belgian federalism. It is divided into two parts. The first part takes the form of a reading seminar, based on the following themes:

  • Federalism in Belgium: History & Features
  • Federalism & Consociationalism
  • Multi-Level Governance
  • Convergence & Divergence
  • The Politics of Territorial Finance
  • Managing the Covid crisis
The second part of the course is devoted to the presentation and analysis by the students of a series of case studies, selected from a pre-established list (Brussels, corruption, economic policy, fiscal consolidation, intergovernmental relations, public investment policy...).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this course, students are expected to master the Belgian federal system and to be able to explain the formal and actual distribution of powers between levels of government; to analyse the conflicts stemming from this situation as well as the political and legal arrangements to prevent and handle them, based on examples seen throughout the course; and to compare and contrast policy and administrative reforms adopted by federated governments.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Active student participation is required throughout the semester through weekly debates, based on shorts essays (Part I) and presentations (Part II).

A final essay will be sent in January.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Weekly lectures, based on a reading portfolio.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

- Reading portfolio

- Weekly slideshow

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Further information:

- Continuous assessment (50%);

- Final essay (50%).

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

   

Contacts

damien.piron@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs