Objectives of Programme's Learning Outcomes

• Understand the fundamentals (theories and tools) in human and social sciences
• Identify and explain the basic theoretical trends in various fields of human sciences (law, economics, management, history, psychology, etc.) and their applications.
• Understand the social environment and the way it works, as well as the role played by different social, economic and political agents
• Analyse historical and contemporary phenomena of societies.
• Political Science option : Understand the fundamentals in the field of political science
• Distinguish objectivity from subjectivity, and express the ideological dimension behind political and institutional issues.
• Information-Communication option: Understand the fundamentals in the field of information-communication
• Develop a critical approach towards the main issues and outcomes in the field of information and communication.

Learning Outcomes of UE

At the end of this course, students will be able to :
- understand that contemporary society and institutions are, in particular, the result of historical evolution, i.e. the movement, transformation and changes of a collectivity over time in accordance with more or less explicit aims or projects;
- to identify, for both retrospective and foresight purposes, the variables (factors and actors) in the history of Belgium and its Regions;
- to show the permanences, bifurcations and disruptions in Belgium's societal and institutional developments and to detect the more systemic and complex features, particularly at European and global level.

UE Content: description and pedagogical relevance

The course includes three parts. The first one deals with the great breakdowns of the 19th Century since the Industrial Revolution. The second part analyses the 20th Century evolutions by studying five progressive issues. The third part outlines another Belgium being built since the Seventies and characterized by a deep citizen unrest and the federalisation of the State. The conclusion is foresight oriented and foresees the signals of new breakdowns that can already be perceived.

Prior Experience

Not applicable.