Teaching methods

Module 1 – Comprendre l’épistémologie et la démarche de recherche

Dans le module 1, les étudiants sont amenés à se familiariser avec les principes de base de la démarche scientifique à travers une réflexion épistémologique et méthodologique. Il s’agit de poser les jalons de ce qui fait science à travers les notions de théorie, de concept, de paradigme, de variables et d’indicateurs. Deux paradigmes seront mis en lumière : le paradigme explicatif et le paradigme compréhensif. Il s’agira d’en cerner les contours, les principes de base et les dispositifs méthodologiques sous-jacents. 

Module 2 - Policy-making analysis: theoretical and analytical framework

Module 2 introduces the main concepts and theories of policy-making analysis. Module 2 first aims at providing the students with a theoretical and analytical toolbox to understand what public policies are, how policy problems are identified and how policies are formulated, implemented and evaluated (i.e., sequential and cycle models; Problem emergence & Agenda setting; Policy programming & Decision; Policy implementation & Evaluation). Second, the students are introduced to key theories allowing to understand the factors explaining policy stability and change. In particular, the students will be introduced to (i) the ‘triangle of actors’ of a public policy, (ii) new institutionalism and the role of institutions and finally, (iii) Peter Hall’s concept of policy paradigm.

            The philosophy of the module rests on three pillars: (1) learning what public policy analysis is; (2) applying concepts and theories; (3) debating in English about energy and environmental challenges and learning vocabulary linked to public policy analysis. In practice, at the start of each session, the lecturer presents take-home messages summarizing the main concepts and findings of the session (about 60 minutes). The second part of the course is animated by the students themselves. For each session, a group of students is in charge of close-reading one article, applying its main concepts to (recent) political events (i.e., identifying a societal problem on the political agenda) and organizing interactions with the other students (i.e., wooclap questions, a short debate, an exercise…) (about 45 minutes).

In parallel with these sessions, English coaching sessions given by Christelle Hoorelbeke and Natassia Schutz will be organized to help students deal with research articles in English on public policy analysis. The students will take part in debates and discussions about energy and environmental policy issues as well as work on the necessary vocabulary and phrases to do so. In a similar vein, the students will have two collective sessions with Simon Lemaire to discuss their first ideas of topics and exploratory research questions as well as a reminder of how to conduct desk research and how to do a literature review (Political science coaching session). Attendance is compulsory for all English and political science coaching sessions.

Module 3 - Learning how to collect and analyze data

Dans le module 3, les outils techniques de collecte et d’analyse de données seront au centre du dispositif pédagogique. Plus spécifiquement, il s’agit de montrer quelles sont les techniques de récolte données ainsi que les principes d’échantillonnage en quantitatif et en qualitatif et d’introduire les étudiants à l’analyse thématique en sciences sociales. 

Module 4 - Policy-making analysis in practice

In this module, students apply concepts and theories of policy-making discussed during the first semester to real case-studies of public policies designed and implemented at local, regional, national or European levels. The students focus specifically on policy areas which challenge societies, inducing deep transformations and in particular this year, energy and environmental policies (e.g. nuclear energy in Belgium, solar energy, wind turbines…). A list of (potential) topics will be provided by the teaching team at the beginning of the academic year. At the end of the semester, students present a research paper focusing on one specific policy.

Overall, before the final jury, the semester is organized around 4 key deliverables: (1) Conducting desk research and a literature review; (2) defining the research objectives (e.g. research question, puzzle and identification of explanatory factors); (3) collecting and analyzing data and (4) presenting your preliminary findings. The objective of these deliverables is to help the students to conduct a study from A to Z. For each of the deliverables, students will receive regular feedback from the teaching assistant and the professors. Attendance is compulsory for all English and political science coaching sessions. In case you miss sessions without any valid reason, you will be summoned to the teachers’ office.

Finally, in parallel with these sessions, the students will receive the support of Christelle Hoorelbeke and Natassia Schutz (5 English coaching sessions) to learn how to write a (research) abstract. More specifically, you will analyze authentic examples, explore online writing-aid tools, and do exercises focusing on the typical grammar, phraseology and style of academic English. During the last class, you will also do reviewing activities aimed to (1) give you feedback on a very first draft of your abstract, and (2) help you understand the expectations of your final version and how you will be assessed in June.

 

Evaluations

 

 

Language of instruction

English

Location for course

NAMUR

Organizer

Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales et de gestion
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR

Degree of Reference

Undergraduate Degree

	Block	Credits
Bachelier en sciences politiques, orientation générale	2	10