Aims

To give students with no legal training a basic course on the state and its institutions, the place that citizens occupy in it, and the complex techniques of public decision-making, particularly in Belgium.
Using as a basis the foundations of law as taught on the first preparatory course, this course will teach the rudiments of Belgian constitutional law; these will be presented within a panorama of the structures and political systems with which states have equipped themselves. It will describe the broad outlines of the organisation and functioning of federal, regional, community and local institutions, and will address the ways in which correct decision-making procedures are monitored, and the mechanisms employed to ensure the institutions' cooperation. The course will also introduce the status of Belgian nationals, and the status and fundamental rights of foreigners.

Main themes

The major topics covered in this course are: the normative framework of the Belgian State, fundamental principles in the organisation of power in Belgium, Belgium's political and administrative institutions and citizens' rights.

Content and teaching methods

I. -The normative framework of the Belgian State
-The Constitution and special laws
-The hierarchy of legal provisions
-Judicial controls of compliance with higher rules
II. -basic principles of the organisation of power in Belgium
-the foundation and exercise of power
-the structuring of power
-the limitation of power
III. -Belgium's political institutions
-federal institutions
-regional and Community institutions
-Cooperation and participation of the federate institutions in the exercise of federal power
IV. -Belgium's administrative institutions
-federal administrations
-regional and Community administrations
-local government
V. -Fundamental human rights in Belgium
-Nationals
-Foreigners
-Human rights.
First and second year students in "Social Sciences: Information and Communication" take only the first three of these topics.
The teaching is lecture-based. Lectures take account of topical political issues and highlight their relationship with the Constitution and special laws. Students are given a written summary of the course and can obtain a collection of legal texts with analysis. Preliminary knowledge of basic Law will make the course much easier to follow.

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

Evaluation: The course is evaluated in principal through a written examination, for which memorizing the subject matter will not suffice. Students need to demonstrate that they can understand the sense and logic of the texts, express themselves precisely and handle the appropriate terminology. Students are permitted to use the annotated legal texts in the examination.

Other credits in programs