Trefwoorden
Politics, History, Economy, Belgium, Flanders
Doelstellingen
Flanders is one of the three regions of the Belgian federal state. The Belgian state itself is relatively young, having been created only in 1830. For a long time in its history it used to be part of a larger political area called the Low Countries. This course explores various political, cultural, economic, and artistic aspects of the complex configuration formed by Flanders, Belgium and the Low Countries, as it changed and developed throughout history.
Leerinhoud
1. HISTORY (Luc Declerck)
1.1. Terminological survey of
“Flanders” : etymology
historical semantics : a pagus, a county, a generic term for the Netherlands
contemporary semantics : provinces of Belgium, a region and a community of Belgium
“Belgium” : etymology
historical semantics : a part of Roman Gaul, a generic term for the Netherlands
contemporary semantics : a kingdom in Europe
“The Low Countries” : etymology
historical and contemporary semantics : an ill-defined region in Europe, a synonym for the Netherlands, the Dutch language area in Europe, the Benelux
1.2. The languages spoken on the territory of the Low Countries :
emphasis on the Dutch language : origin of the language
terminological questions (Dutch, Flemish, Hollandish, Netherlandish, Low German)
the position of the language in the world
origin of the Dutch-French language border
other languages : French, Walloon, German, Frisian, Lëtzebürgesch
1.3. National symbols in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and in Belgium and its communities
flags (coats of arms, devices)
national bank holidays
national anthems
Personal compulsory reading:
J.A. KOSSMANN-PUTTO and E.H. KOSSMANN : “The Low Countries – History of the Northern and Southern Netherlands”, Stichting Ons Erfdeel v.z.w. (Rekkem, 2004), 8th edition, ISBN 90-75862-11-3
2. POLITICS - CONSTITUTION AND POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS IN BELGIUM (Luc Declerck)
2.1. Belgium and its 4 language areas :
the Dutch, the French, the German and the bilingual language area
language legislation since 1962-‘63
2.2. The Belgian constitution and its main reforms since 1970 :
Belgium as a federal organised kingdom with 3 communities (Flemish, French and German-speaking) and 3 regions (Flemish, Walloon and Brussels-metropolitan)
the partition of competences between the federal state, the communities and the regions
Belgium as “a united kingdom of independent republics”
the Constitutional High Court
the 10 provinces, 43 administrative districts and 589 communes
2.3. Traditional political institutions in Belgium :
the legislature : Federal Parliament (the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate) and the parliaments of the communities and the regions
the executive : the federal government and the governments of the communities and the regions
Study visit : Brussels : the Flemish Parliament
3. ECONOMY (Bart Defloor)
The focus of the first lecture is on the evolution of the Belgian Economy from 1830 on, from an agriculture-based economy to a services-based economy. The macroeconomic performance of the region the last 50 years will be thoroughly analysed. We will devote special attention to the role of the Belgian and Flemish government in the macro economy and to the differences between Flanders and Wallonia. In the complex Belgian institutional structure, the economic competences are divided between the different government levels: although taxes are a (mostly) federal competence, economic policy is a regional one.
The second lecture focuses on a number of structural indicators of the Flemish and the Belgian economy: GDP, inflation, (un)employment, FDI, import/export… Belgium will be compared with other European countries, the US and Japan. We will also discuss briefly the strengths and weaknesses of the Belgian and Flemish economy.
The third lecture will deal with some current topics in the economic situation in Belgium and Flanders. Attention will be devoted to the sectoral breakdown, migration,.... Why should/shouldn’t an entrepreneur invest in Belgium?
Begincompetenties
No specific competencies are required.
Eindcompetenties
1) Students should acquire a basic knowledge on the structure and evolution of the Belgian political and economic system in a historical background.
2) Students should be able to compare the political, historical and economic situation in Belgium and the Low Countries with their home country and to formulate a well-founded conclusion about the differences and the evolutions in their home country.
3) Students should be able to look up relevant information about their country.
Leermaterialen
::Voor meer informatie, klik hier::
Personal compulsory reading:
J.A. KOSSMANN-PUTTO and E.H. KOSSMANN : “The Low Countries – History of the Northern and Southern Netherlands”, Stichting Ons Erfdeel v.z.w. (Rekkem, 2004), 8th edition, ISBN 90-75862-11-3
Economy: KBC-publication on the macro-economic performance of Belgium 1944 until 1994.
Studiekosten
10 EUR
Studiebegeleiding
It is an interactive course, students are invited to ask questions during the lessons. Support and guidance is offered to the students during the preparation of their paper.
Onderwijsvormen
Lectures and discussions on the basis of reading materials and museum visits – personal compulsory reading.
Two hours weekly, plus occasional visits to museums.
Evaluatievorm
Students have to write a paper (6000-8000 words) in which they make a historical, political and economic comparison between their country and Belgium/Flanders. In the last session, students will present their paper to the other students. To provide the necessary background, lectures will be given on historical, political and economic issues in Flanders, Belgium and the Low Countries.
At the end of the semester, in January, there is an exam, partly written, partly oral.
OP-leden
Bart Defloor, Luc Declerck & Karen Celis
|
|
