6 ECTS credits
155 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1020435AER for all students in the 1st semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Possible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Political Science
Educational team
Jonas Lefevere (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

39 contact hours Lecture
116 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Introduction to Political Science offers a general and systematic introduction into the field of political science. Students receive a broad overview of different approaches, theories and aspects of political decision-making. Firstly a range of key concepts will be considered, including the concept of ‘politics’ itself, the nation-state and democracy. It will be demonstrated that these key concepts stimulate considerable debate among political scientists and that different views are often rooted in different ideological stances. The second part of the course devotes attention to the most important political processes (political participation, elections, ...) and to the actors intervening in these processes (citizens, social movements, political parties, ...). The third part offers a more detailed treatment of central political structures and institutions, such as legislatures, governments and bureaucracies. The final part will direct the focus to multi-level politics.

Course material
Handbook (Required) : Foundations of Comparative Politics, Democracies of the Modern World, Newton, Kenneth & Jan W. Van Deth, 4th, paperback, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 9781108927390, 2021
Digital course material (Required) : Slides, Canvas
Additional info

In order to reach the course objectives, students will be asked to prepare course readings in advance. Students are also expected to follow the news.

Learning Outcomes

General Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the following competences and skills:

  • LO1: They have an active knowledge of the key concepts and theories in political science. They are able to use and discuss these concepts and theories, and apply them to real life events.
  • LO2: They are familiar with the historical roots of the discipline and with recent developments in various subfields of political science.
  • LO3: They understand the functioning of central political processes, actors and institutions of modern (European) democracies. They are also familiar with the broader historical context in which these democracies have developed.
  • LO4: They can interpret and analyze current political developments using the specific language and framework of political science.
  • LO5: They develop communication skills and group work skills by interacting with fellow students and by exchanging ideas in class.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Written Exam with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: Closed book

Additional info regarding evaluation

Written examination in which factual knowledge and critical analysis skills will be tested. Students have to prove (1) that they understand the political science concepts, theories and approaches discussed in class, and (2) that they are able to use these concepts, theories and approaches actively and apply them to current affairs.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Psychology: Profile Profile Work and Organisational Psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Psychology: Profile Profile Clinical psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Communication Studies
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Political Sciences
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Sociology
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Startplan