Seminar of comparative local politics

Teacher(s)

Niessen Christoph;

Language

English

Content

The seminar aims at introducing students to the functioning and main issues of local politics, institutions, elites, administration and citizens in a multi-level governance environment.
It relies on:

• the collective discussion of readings on each of these topics.
• the critical engagement of students with the readings through position papers.
• the application of the course material in a country study presented by each student.
• the further comparative examination of a specified issue of local politics in a term paper.

Teaching methods

The seminar is organised around different sessions during which readings on the following topics are discussed collectively:

• Functions and working of local politics.
• Local institutions and multi-level politics.
• Local elites and parties.
• Local administrations and policies.
• Local citizens (participation).

To further deepen students' understanding and critical engagement with these topics, position papers, a case study presentation and a final paper are assigned.

Evaluation methods

The evaluation is based on active seminar participation, two position papers, a case study presentation and a final paper. There is no final exam.

Online resources

Cf. Moodle.

Bibliography

Bäck, H., Heinelt, H., & Magnier, A. (Dir.). (2006). The European Mayor: Political Leaders in the Changing Context of Local Democracy. Berlin: Springer.
Heinelt, H., Magnier, A., Cabria, M., & Reynaert, H. (Dir.). (2018). Political Leaders and Changing Local Democracy: The European Mayor. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan.
Verstraete, D., Devillers, S., Dandoy, R., Dodeigne, J., Jacquet, V., Niessen, Ch., Reuchamps, M. (2018). Les rôles, fonctions et choix politiques des bourgmestres en Wallonie et à Bruxelles. Courrier Hebdomadaire, CRISP, Bruxelles.

Faculty or entity

PSAD