Friday, September 17, 2010

Course Descriptions - Comparative federalism Europe, U.S.A., Canada



Comparative federalism Europe, U.S.A., Canada - POLI - 0507
Informations Générales
Intitulé du coursComparative federalism Europe, U.S.A., Canada
Langue d'enseignementEnseigné en anglais
NiveauNiveau 2 dans le cycle
DisciplineSciences politiques
Titulaire(s)Johanne POIRIER
Pré-requis
Cours pré-requis
Autres pré-requisA sound knowledge of English (both written and spoken)
Place du cours dans le programme
Objectifs et méthodologies
Objectifs du cours et compétences viséesDespite the mishaps of some of its real-life 
incarnations, the “federal idea” often summarised 
by the slogan “unity within diversity” is increasingly 
presented as the most effective way of maintaining 
a degree of territorial and social cohesion in a state-like 
structure, without the disadvantages of forced 
homogeneity. Nearly 40 % of the world population 
lives in a federal country. The European Union, 
Canada and the United States of America represent 
three historic efforts, in the words of The Federalist 
Papers, to create complex political institutions by 
“reason and choice” rather than by “accident and 
force” (though many in these countries would deny 
this !) This course engages in comparative analysis 
of the US, Canadian and various European federations 
(the later in the context of the EU integration). 
Consideration of the federal dimensions of the EU 
will also be canvassed. The approach to the course 
will be primarily institutional, though historical 
developments, normative discourse and political 
debates will also be covered. We will be concerned 
with the emergence of the federal or neo-federal 
systems, the institutional “architecture” of these 
systems, the patterns of interaction between federal 
partners. We will also address the issue of policy-making 
and policy-implementation in a federal context.
Contenu du coursThe course starts with a reflexion of the methodology 
of comparative law, as well as with the variety of 
institutional designs. The approach to the course is 
primarily institutional, though historical developments, 
normative discourse and political debates will also be 
covered.
Méthodes d'enseignementThis is a seminar course, and the method is largely 
participative. Students are expected to have read the 
material prior to class and to be ready for discussion.
Supports d'enseignementAlmost all documents are available through the Virtual 
University and some PPT
Références et BibliographieDocuments available through the internet or the Virtual 
University. A detailed course outline and bibliography 
will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Evaluation
MéthodeTo be determined (a written paper, an open-book 
written exam, or an oral exam, depending on the 
number of students)
Priorités de l'enseignantThis is conceived as a real participatory exercice. 
Students should be present, have read the materials 
and be ready to discuss them.
Conseils spécifiques
Langue d'évaluationEnglish
Organisation pratique
Institution organisatriceULB
Faculté gestionnaireInstitut Etudes Européennes
HorairePremier quadrimestre - Deuxième quadrimestre
Coordination pédagogique
Contactjpoirier@ulb.ac.be (please put “Comparative federalism 
– IEE” in object of message) (0)2 650 4819 Office H. 3118 
(by appointment only) Secretariat: Ms Nadia SERONT 
Office: H.3 116 Phone: (02) 650 3968
Remarques

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