Aims

The course studies the major developments and structures in politics, social relationships and culture, and introduces the students to contemporary life in the German-, English- or Dutch-speaking communities in Europe.
By the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired in-depth knowledge of German-/ English-/ Dutch-speaking Europe.

Main themes

1. the material reality and the geographic/ cultural communities
2. political and social organisation (form of government)
3. moral attitudes
4. intellectual, philosophical and religious life
5. the hopes, failures and achievements of these communities

Content and teaching methods

In order to enable students to understand better the Dutch-speaking communities in Belgium and the Netherlands, the course explains how in Flanders and the Netherlands, culture and society developed historically towards the political, social and religious reality of the present day and age. It also discusses the role of the regions and communities in the context of the European Union. Students acquire more in-depth knowledge through personal reading of a course book.

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

Pre-course requirements: a good knowledge of German/ English/ Dutch, both spoken and written.

Assessment: oral or written exam

Study aids: course book, text syllabus, video extracts of films, documentaries and archives.

Teaching method: formal lectures, personal reading

Other credits in programs