Aims

A student having followed this course should have mastery of the geopolitical and institutional limits of the territories composing the Kingdom of Belgium today, from the Roman period to present, and be able to understand the historical foundations of structures and mentalities of contemporary Belgium.

Main themes

Alternating general glimpses of the great epochs of Belgium's past and in-depth lectures on more specific questions (origins of the linguistic boundaries, balances of power in the medieval principalities, XVIIIth century "modernity", linguistic and community questions, for ex.).

Content and teaching methods

A study of the historical evolution of territories constituting Belgium today, with the accent placed on geopolitical and institutional elements of the past, from the Roman conquest to the "new" Belgium, issuing from constitutional revisions. We stress more recent periods and historical studies of phenomena related to the contemporary Belgian situation ("federalism", "community" problems) or controversial questions (the idea of "Belgium", "foreign dominations").

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites : A minimal "familiarity" with Belgian human geography and events.
Evaluation : Oral examination.
Teaching materials : Student notes.
Syllabus - a map and appendices - considerable bibliography (preparation for the choice of a licence memoir).

Other credits in programs