Students enrolled on the Bachelor in Political Sciences course are working towards becoming actors in public affairs capable of robustly and critically analysing contemporary political phenomena and ongoing political developments, explaining them and act within, for and on society, having formed an understanding of and ethics relating to public service. The Bachelor’s programme prepares the students for one of the Master in Political Sciences programmes that will complete this objective in a specific geographical and political sector.
The goal of the Bachelor in Political Sciences programme is to train students in the understanding and analysis of political phenomena such as power relationships, legitimacy, decision-making, conflict, local to international political institutions, the functioning and political history of States and organisations, etc. To this end, the Bachelor in Political Sciences: General programme enables students to:
- master a broad base of concepts and theories in the main fields of political sciences;
- develop diversified methodological skills;
- master analytical tools enabling them to act on the operational methods of the policies implemented.
so that the students are able to analyse, in a considered and critical manner, contemporary political phenomena at different levels (local, regional, national, European and international).
In addition, on successful completion of a Bachelor’s course in the Faculty of Economic, Social and Political Sciences and Communication (ESPO), graduates will have developed:
- a multidisciplinary approach enabling them to question, in a substantiated and precise manner, a phenomenon or issue related to the field of human sciences;
- an academic approach based on scientific research and a robust and critical methodology;
- their communication skills in French and two other languages;
- a way of thinking that is respectful of ethical and civic values.
During the three-year Bachelor course, students will have demonstrated growing independence. They will have developed their training projects and, on completion of the Bachelor programme, will continue their training in a specific Master’s course, with a view to building their personal and professional projects.
On successful completion of this programme, each student is able to :
AAC1. Demonstrate a command of and apply the fundamental know-how (knowledge, models, theories, concepts) of the discipline(s) at the heart of their course and its areas of application in order to understand human beings in society and all of the relationships, organisations and institutions in which they are involved.
AAC1.1. Demonstrate the acquisition and a critical understanding of an in-depth knowledge base (knowledge, models, theories, concepts) in the discipline (s) for their course (referred to as the “major” at the Louvain-la-Neuve campus) and its areas of application.
AAC1.2. Understand, explain and analyse, in a critical manner and using the discipline’s knowledge base, various issues related to their studies.
AAC2. Master and implement the fundamentals of an academic (based on scientific research and rigorous methodology) and epistemological approach to examine in greater detail issues/phenomena related to the discipline(s) involved in their studies.
- Analyse all the knowledge acquired in epistemological terms (AAC2.1. and AAC2.2.).
- Demonstrate command of the fundamentals of a scientific and methodological approach based on rigorous research (AAC2.3. to AAC2.6.).
AAC2.1. Adopt an attitude of critical detachment with regard to knowledge, knowledge-building processes and practices related to the field of their course of study.
AAC2.2. Put up for discussion various paradigms (or conceptual approaches) to approach, interpret and analyse (debate) a phenomenon/issue related to the discipline of their course of studies.
AAC2.3. Identify and select the most appropriate publications and methods (questioning their validity and pertinence) to analyse an issue relating to the discipline(s) of their course of studies.
AAC2.4. Develop a critical and reflective analysis of the information and publications (in French and English) the students will encounter during their time at the university and create a pertinent summary in accordance with the basic rules of scientific communication with regard to the issue studied.
AAC2.5. Display a command of and robustly apply the main qualitative and quantitative methods relating to the discipline(s) of their course of studies.
AAC2.6. Conduct an independent personal study: develop an informed analysis, a logically presented argument and a well-founded personal view.
AAC3. Develop a personal discussion paper drawing on input (theories, concepts, approaches, etc.) from different disciplines to question and discuss in a robust and open manner a phenomenon/issue relating to the field of human sciences.
AAC3.1. Demonstrate knowledge and a critical understanding of the concepts and theories of the main disciplines related to human and social sciences (including: economics, philosophy, law, history, social anthropology, political science and management).
AAC3.2. Approach, question and discuss a phenomenon/issue related to the field of human sciences from multidisciplinary analytical perspectives, adopting a critical and discerning attitude with regard to the limitations of each discipline and their interrelations.
AAC3.3. Demonstrate a command and critical understanding of comprehensive knowledge in discipline(s) other than those related to their course of studies (discipline(s) related to the choice of minor subjects for programmes at Louvain-la-Neuve).
AAC4. Communicate and collaborate, verbally and in writing in French and two other languages, adapting their approach to suit the audience and the context so as to integrate into an international context.
AAC4.1. Communicate verbally and in writing on complex subjects (information, thoughts and conclusions, as well as the underlying knowledge and principles) in a clear, structured and well-argued manner according to the communication standards specific to the context, adapting the presentation to suit the target audience and intended purpose.
AAC4.2. For 2 languages other than French* (English and Dutch or German or Spanish): communicate verbally and in writing in a clear, coherent, fluent and well-argued manner on general topics or on issues related to the field of studies; identify the differences and similarities between the target culture (related to the language in question) and the original culture, and use appropriate strategies to communicate with representatives of the target culture.
* For English (all language competencies), Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference.
For Dutch, Spanish or German: some language skills at Level B1 and some at Level B2 of the European Common Framework of Reference.
AAC4.3. Work as part of a team: interact, collaborate and organise themselves efficiently within a team and manage group relationships.
AAC4.4. Communicate effectively and respectfully while tailoring the communication method to the audience (peers, teachers, administrative staff, socio-professional representatives), demonstrating empathy, assertiveness and the listening skills.
AAC5. Act independently as critical and responsible stakeholders observing ethical and civic values, having created their training projects with a view to continuing their personal and professional development.
AAC5.1. Demonstrate independence throughout their training: manage their work independently (define priorities, anticipate and plan their activities in good time), demonstrate critical detachment with regard to their own knowledge, learning methods and achievements and incorporate new knowledge and skills independently according to the situations that arise.
AAC5.2. Apply the acquired knowledge in a critical manner so as to adopt a stance and act responsibly while observing ethical and civic values.
AAC5.3. Develop a training project and move towards an “informed/enlightened” professional project: plan for a Master’s course consistent with the discipline of their course of studies (or if necessary with a logical change of major), having identified the fields in which they intend to pursue their professional careers.
More specifically, as Bachelors of Political Sciences: General, students will be able to:
AAS1. Demonstrate general knowledge of contemporary socio-political phenomena from a historical and geographical perspective and in terms of their interdependent relationships.
AAS1.1. Situate the main cultural, political and economic changes in contemporary societies within a historical perspective and in terms of their interdependent relationships.
AAS.1.2. Situate local contemporary socio-political phenomena in relation to cross-functional and global socio-political dynamics.
AAS.1.3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of 21st century issues, particularly the interrelations between political, ecological, social and economic crises.
AAS2. Demonstrate knowledge of the main political sciences theories.
AAS2.1. Situate the trends in politological thought, taking account of their origin and development.
AAS2.2. Understand, explain and analyse the main political sciences theories, in particular in the fields of international relations, public action and comparative politics.
AAS3. Understand the process of building a scientific knowledge base in political and social sciences and apply it through the practice of research strategies.
AAS3.1. Demonstrate an understanding of the main epistemological shifts in social sciences in advance of research and select an epistemological approach.
AAS3.2. Demonstrate their knowledge of a variety of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods and their ability to apply them robustly in a research process.
AAS3.3. Collectively devise a research process related to contemporary societal issues, more specifically concerning international relations, public action and comparative politics.
AAS3.4. Apply the theoretical tools from different political science courses in a cross-functional approach to their research process.
AAS3.5. Understand, analyse and assimilate, in a critical manner, scientific documents (scientific works and publications) with a common perspective with regard to socio-political phenomena.
AAS4. Assimilate knowledge and develop an analytical approach in order to understand a number of areas related to social and political life by means of:
- An in-depth and critical understanding of international, European and Belgian political institutions and issues;
- Critical command of analytical tools supporting decision-making and action.
AAS4.1. Display a command of the central ideas of public, European and international law and public administration.
AAS4.2. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of public life: the organisation of public authorities, political issues and institutions at local, regional, national, European and international level, the power and legitimacy games.
AAS4.3. Display a command of the tools used for analysing public action and managerial diagnosis required for decision-making and in support of action.
AAS4.4. Decipher international relations, particularly through the analysis of international actors and geopolitical conflicts.
AAS4.5. Analyse public action and in particular the functioning of public administrations and the development of public policies.
AAS4.6. Demonstrate, using a comparative approach, a critical understanding of the functioning of political institutions and the behaviour of citizens and collective stakeholders (political parties, social movements and interest groups).
AAS4.7. Use analytical and diagnostic knowledge and tools in a cross-functional manner to analyse contemporary political phenomena robustly and with critical detachment.
AAS5. Examine and analyse contemporary socio-political phenomena in a robust, critical and open manner, using multidisciplinary knowledge to develop a personal position and participate as an active citizen.
AAS5.1. Demonstrate awareness and a critical understanding of basic knowledge of other disciplines (philosophy, sociology and anthropology, economics, history, law, ethics) contributing to and complementing the analysis of contemporary political phenomena.
AAS5.2. Enhance their enquiry into and analysis of contemporary political phenomena using basic knowledge of other disciplines to broaden the scope of analysis and demonstrate intellectual openness.
AAS.5.3. Develop their own critical opinions with regard to the development of contemporary socio-political phenomena and issues and develop a well-argued personal viewpoint.
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