Students enrolled on the Master [120] in Political Sciences: General course are working towards becoming experts in public affairs and “political” action in the broad sense of the term with the ability to analyse contemporary political phenomena and current political changes in a robust and critical manner, explain them and act within, for and on society, having formed an understanding of and ethics relating to public service.
The processes of political decision-making are increasingly complex, as they involve a growing number of stakeholders, organisations and institutions at numerous different levels. It is with this context in mind that the Master in Political Sciences: General programme prepares students for employment as advisors, analysts, actors, managers or representatives in organisations or institutions in the socio-political sphere at national, European or international level (political parties, interest groups, lobbyists, associations, NGOs, private and public sector research facilities and international organisations).
To meet these challenges, on completion of the Master in Political Sciences: General programme, graduates will have developed politico-institutional expertise and be capable of introducing analytical strategies for a better understanding of “public” action in the broad sense of the term and intervening in a rational, effective and fair manner. They will be able to:
- Display a command of and use, in a critical manner, in-depth and specialist knowledge related to the development process of a public policy;
- Display detailed and applied knowledge of political institutions, their operational structures and the numerous stakeholders involved in political decision-making and their interactions;
- Use different methodologies and robust analytical and diagnostic tools in a critical manner to interpret the complexity of “political life” (including: the analysis of opinion poll data, multi-level analysis and the analysis of the internal workings of political parties and pressure groups);
- Apply a robust comparative approach that uses mechanisms providing a better understanding of specific contexts (for example, for a specific country or region) and more effective intervention within these contexts;
- Analyse concrete and complex problems/situations in an autonomous and rational manner;
- Use tools providing information about “political” action in the broad sense of the term;
- Devise and conduct a personal research project through command of a conceptual or theoretical line of questioning in a field of their choice;
- Use and compare their knowledge and skills with an initial practical professional experience (work placement).
Through their choice of focus, graduates undertake training geared towards the following professional careers:
- high-level researchers in the field of political sciences (Research focus);
- advisors acting as political advice experts (marketing, lobbying and public opinion) for organisations or institutions in the socio-political sphere at national, European or international level (Professional focus),
- teaching or training in the field of political and social sciences (Teaching focus).
Aware of the responsibility that goes with the role of expert, graduates will have adopted a critical academic attitude, enabling them to make decisions completely independently, with civic and ethical values and public service being core concerns. They will have adopted a continuous development approach enabling them, as professionals, to demonstrate expertise and the ability to adapt and evolve positively in their socio-professional environment.
On successful completion of this programme, each student is able to :
Like all Master of Political Sciences graduates, on completion of this programme graduates will be able to:
CG1. Develop political understanding and action: develop an understanding of and ethics relating to public service.
CG1.1. Identify, analyse and understand the political issues of a given situation.
CG1.2. Adopt a stance in debates and negotiations in defence of the interests of the institutions and organisations they represent.
CG1.3. Incorporate the ethical dimension and the “in the public service and for the common good” dimension into the political debates and actions.
CG2. Position their analyses and/or actions in a multi-level perspective.
CG2.1. Identify the different institutional levels.
CG2.2. Demonstrate in-depth and specialist knowledge (depending on the choice of focus) of the different political and institutional systems and political issues at international, European and Belgian level.
CG2.3. Compare the different political and institutional systems, both national and international.
CG2.4. Identify the various government and non-government stakeholders (social movements, interest groups, citizens, etc.) and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of their positions.
CG2.5. Analyse the interactions between the different stakeholders, from the relationships between political parties and states to the role of non-governmental organisations.
CG3. Adopt a robust and interdisciplinary approach to analysing complex political, economic and social situations.
CG3.1. Demonstrate in-depth specialist knowledge (theories, fundamentals, phenomena) of political sciences, according to the focus chosen.
CG3.2. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the key basic principles of the human and social science disciplines related to political sciences according to the focus chosen: law, history, geopolitics, sociology and economics.
CG3.3. Pertinently and robustly apply the data analysis (qualitative and quantitative) and diagnostic tools in social and political sciences to provide a better understanding of the complexity of “political life”.
CG3.4. Apply and leverage these tools and knowledge to analyse the issues/questions specific to political sciences (according to the focus chosen).
CG4. Apply their politico-institutional expertise to advise on political action in a specific sector or area (according to the focus chosen).
CG4.1. Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge (for the focus chosen) of issues unique to the different sectors of political life (environment, family, humanitarian, etc.).
CG4.2. Explain and analyse specific contexts and situations:
- Analyse the different regional geographic areas.
- Evaluate political action by sector or area.
- Use robust analytical and diagnostic tools.
- Apply a robust comparative approach.
CG4.3. Advise on “political” action in the broad sense of the term, demonstrating expertise and applying policy advice skills (influence and lobbying strategy, strategies and tools for political communication, negotiation/mediation and marketing).
CG4.4. Contribute to the analysis and/or design of management strategies for real-life political situations, according to the focus chosen.
CG5. Disseminate pertinent political, economic and social information adapted to the targeted sector of the public and interact constructively with the different stakeholders involved in a given situation.
CG5.1. Communicate pertinently, both verbally and in writing, on complex topics/situations in political sciences:
- Select the relevant information required to analyse and compare political situations.
- Present the information in an accurate, structured, clear, precise and well-argued manner (demonstrating an ability to prepare reports, assessments, critical reviews, notes, etc.).
- Adapt the communication (content and form) to the targeted sector of the public and to the intended purposes according to the communication standards specific to the context (popularising, etc.).
CG5.2. Communicate articulately in English, verbally and in writing, in a clear, coherent and well-argued manner on general matters or issues relating to the field of political sciences (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference).
CG5.3. Communicate, interact and negotiate constructively with various representatives, including colleagues, political decision-makers and target audiences.
CG5.4. Liaise and collaborate effectively within a team and network effectively with other agencies involved in a given situation.
CG6. Devise and implement a personal research project (thesis), adopting a robust and critical scientific and methodological approach in order to conduct a detailed analysis of an issue related to political science (in the chosen field of study).
CG6.1. Define and explain a research subject, making sure that it is placed in the proper context.
CG6.2. Prepare a critical report on the literature relating to this subject, making active, critical and pertinent use of information tools and primary and secondary sources.
CG6.3. Construct and implement a robust and pertinent methodology in response.
CG6.4. Devise and carry out, if appropriate, a quantitative and/or qualitative empirical research project using suitable analytical tools.
CG6.5. Develop an objective analysis and the ability to summarise so as to enable the relevant parameters to be put into perspective and pertinent conclusions to be formed.
CG6.6. Demonstrate, in general terms, an attitude of critical detachment with regard to their own work and the knowledge and skills used deployed.
CG7. Act as academics and critical and responsible players committed to continuous development.
CG7.1. Embark on a socio-professional practice using a well-founded academic approach (from a theoretical and methodological perspective) characterised by a reflective and critical attitude.
CG7.2. Work, make decisions and act independently and responsibly with regard to the framework, the work context and other people.
CG7.3. Be aware of their societal and civic responsibilities.
CG7.4. Maintain an attitude of critical detachment (their knowledge, skills, limitations, achievements and actions) and of the continuous learning and development required to evolve positively in their socio-professional environment.
More specifically, as Master [120] in Political Sciences: General graduates, they will be able to:
SPO. Develop expertise and a high level of skills in the field of “political” action in the broad sense of the term, and specifically in the analysis of public policies and their socio-political context, in order to fill the post of advisor to organisations and institutions at national, European or international level.
SPO.1. Demonstrate and use, in a critical manner, in-depth and specialist knowledge related to:
- the functioning and management of public organisations;
- the decision-making and development process at each stage of the cycle of a public policy;
- the political arena at national, European and international level;
- international relations and organisations and their operational structures;
- the European integration process.
SPO.2. Analyse real and complex policies and situations/issues related to public action in the broad sense of the term, applying different robust analytical and diagnostic methodologies and tools in a critical manner, including the ability to:
- Identify, analyse and take account of multiple issues;
- Identify and analyse the actors involved, their positioning and interactions (in particular, the internal workings of political parties and pressure groups).
- Analyse the internal organisation of political institutions.
- Apply the tools and different stages of the analysis of public policies for analytical and strategic purposes, also using an interpretative process of reconstructing government actions.
- Adopt a robust comparative approach to the analysis of political decisions, the principal stakeholders, the institutional dynamics, the decision-making processes and interactions in order to develop a critical assessment of the potential effects of different proposals for institutional reforms.
- Analyse a process of political decision-making through multi-level governance in theoretical terms (relevant analytical grid) using a robust methodology.
- Use the appropriate conceptual and theoretical tools to analyse international issues or those related to the European integration process.
SPO.3. Identify and analyse changes in public organisations and policies.
SPO.4. Develop skills related to their first work experience (work placement):
- Situate and perform their role and scope of action within an organisation, liaising with the various internal and external stakeholders and adapting to the context and operational principles.
- Compare theory and practice in order to learn how to critically examine the operation of an organisation and/or a problematic situation, as well as the theory relating to reality on the ground (a “round trip” between theories and practices).
SPO-FS-CP. If they pursue the Professional focus in Policy Advice: Marketing, Lobbying and Political Opinion, students will develop practical expertise in the fields of public action in the broad sense of the term based on advanced analytical, diagnostic and policy advice skills, with the aim of moving into careers with organisations or institutions in the socio-political sphere at national, European or international level.
SPO-FS-CP.1. Develop expertise in the analysis and diagnosis of real-life and complex problems/situations related to public action in the broad sense, using specialist methodologies and analytical tools in a critical manner in different fields of application.
SPO-FS-CP.2. Advise on “political” action in the broad sense of the term, demonstrating expertise and applying policy advice skills and tools (influence and lobbying strategy, strategies and tools for political communication, negotiation/mediation and marketing).
SPO-FS-CP.3. Devise response scenarios or actions for real-life issues related to institutional and organisational ‘design’.
SPO-FA. If they pursue the Research focus, students will be able to: develop and acquire the knowledge and skills required to undertake a PhD or progress towards professional careers in high-level research or consultancy.
SPO-FA.1. Master and critically apply specialist methodologies in the field of political science research, and specifically in comparative politics.
SPO-FA.2. Analyse situations/problems in specific areas using a scientific approach and pertinent theories.
SPO-FA.3. Debate and participate in a discussion on complex issues in political sciences with researchers/experts/specialists.
SPO-FD. If they pursue the Teaching focus, they will be able to: apply the skills required to embark on a career as an upper-secondary level political and social sciences teacher and to develop in that position.
FD.1. Work in a school environment, in partnership with various actors.
FD.2. Teach in authentic and varied situations.
FD.3. Adopt an enquiring attitude and be committed to continuous development.
For more details, consult "Upper-secondary" teaching qualifications (sociology, political sciences, anthropology).
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