History of Institutions

Teacher(s)

Dujardin Vincent; Van Ypersele Laurence;

Language

French

Main themes

Course content focuses on the origins, construction and transformation of the Belgian State over two centuries. The following aspects are addressed :- the 'pre-history' of Belgium (legacies of the ancien régime, French Revolution, Dutch rule); - the period from 1830 to the present day covers, firstly, Belgium's economic, social and cultural structures and, secondly, its institutional structures (law, constitutional powers, transformation of State structures, European integration) and working institutions: the history of political parties, trade unionism and civil society. The course is taught in formal classes complemented by tutorials. Other teaching methods may also be used in order to meet course needs. Course materials must be available at the beginning of each teaching term. Tutorials The tutorials aim to prepare students to perform successfully in oral or written university-level assessments. Tutorial materials consist of documents introduced in the history of institutions course. Students work on contentious issues in the following areas: language, schools policy, society, the monarchy, colonial issues, constitutional questions, penal affairs, etc. Students are trained in the ability to construct a well-argued, critical and comprehensive analysis.

Content

- To trace, from a historical point of view, the origins and construction of, and transformations in, the Belgian State with the aim of equipping future lawyers with the critical tools needed to be able to situate Belgian law in the context of the society that produces it. The course is in two parts. The first is devoted to the 'pre-history' of Belgium (legacies of the ancien régime, French Revolution, Dutch rule). The second deals, firstly, with Belgium's economic, social and cultural structures and, secondly, with its institutional structures, (law, constitutional powers, transformation of State structures, European integration) and working institutions: the history of political parties, trade unionism and civil society. Formally taught course based on pre-read texts. Using a dossier of selected documents (from parliamentary, economic, legal and political sources), theme-based analysis of different issues in Belgian history. Examination: either oral or written, based on texts analysed during the course

Faculty or entity

BUDR