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
Silvia Erzeel
Robin Devroe (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
39 contact hours Lecture
105 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 University Press, 9781108927390, 2021
Digital course material (Required) : Slides, Canvas
Additional info
  • Lecture: collective contact-dependent moments during which the lecturer engages with learning materials
  • Seminar, Exercises or Practicals (Practical): collective or individual contact-dependent moments during which the students are guided to actively engage with learning materials
  • Independent or External Form of Study (Self): independent study

This description of the teaching methods is indicative, in order to assess the expected study load.

Lectures: 39 hours

  • Weekly classes: 13 x 3

Self-study: 105 hours

  • Following up on lectures during the semester, with a rate of 2 hours per lecture: 26 hours
  • Reading and summarizing handbook, with a rate of 3 hours per lecture: 39 hours
  • Preparation of the exam: 40 hours (5 days of 8 hours)
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.

Example questions are discussed in class.

The exam information in the first and second session is the same.

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: Year 3: Specialisation Communication Studies
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Year 3: Specialisation Political Sciences
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Year 3: Specialisation Sociology
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Year 1 and 2