Department of Government & International Studies
EURO 3110
Contemporary European Societies II:
questions d’actualité
Prerequisites:
EURO 2110 Contemporary European Societies I: The
French-Speaking Countries and
Internship year in French-speaking Europe or equivalent or
Ability to use French for Academic Purposes in speech,
writing and reading
Duration/Frequency:
3 hours/week
Language of Tuition:
French
Individual Study Time Required:
42 hours (3 X 14 weeks)
Credits/Units:
3
Number of Contact Hours:
42 (3 X 14 weeks)
Total Assumed Work Load:
6 hours/week
Course Description/Aims and Objectives:
This is the second part of a course which spans the year in Europe and builds on
the themes examined in the first part (EURO 2110) in the light of students’ living
and learning’ experience in a European French-speaking country.
The course outline varies from year to year, since it consists of a review of the
current events and trends to be observed in Belgium, France, Luxembourg and
Switzerland in the social, political and economic field.
Support materials mainly comprise the latest press articles and various official
and non-governmental institutions’ data available online in French.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) / Competencies:
Knowledge
By the end of this course, students will be able to
1. Recognize the multidimensional factors and stakes which have affected
the societies of Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland in recent
years;
2. Define the present-day issues of political and social debates in European
French-speaking countries; and
3. Identify the various challenges of these countries in the social and
economic field in the perspective of the European Union’s policy and the
era of globalization.
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Skills
By the end of this course, students will be able to
4. Compare the social and economic policies adopted in Belgium, France,
Luxembourg and Switzerland in reaction to the same challenges;
5. Explain the present-day role and position of existing political parties in
the above-mentioned countries;
6. Present in French, orally or in writing, organised synthesis on topics
related to the evolution and present-day situation of the French-speaking
societies of Europe.
Attitudes
By the end of this course, students will be able to
7. Differentiate French language analysis studies/reports according to the
sources used in the perspective of the writing of their final year’s
dissertation;
8. Appraise the latest developments in French-speaking societies in the
light of those observed in Hong Kong/China; and
9. Link this most updated knowledge with their experience in Europe in
order to be fully prepared for their future career in a French-speaking
context.
Course Content:
1. Switzerland on the European stage: the model revisited
2. Switzerland: social and political context
3. Swiss economy
4. Belgium : latest developments in politics and government
5. Belgium: socio-economic conditions in Flanders and Wallonia
6. Luxembourg: the multifaceted challenges of a European micro-state
7. France: political agenda
8. France: socio-economic context
9. French European policy
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Teaching & Learning Activities (TLAs):
TLAs
ILOs
addressed
1 to 9
1. Seminars
The seminars will examine the present-day role and position of
existing political parties in the mentioned French-speaking
countries.
2. Discussions/ Presentations
4 to 8
Discussions will be held to analyze and discuss the social and
economic policies adopted in Belgium, France, Luxembourg and
Switzerland in reaction to the same challenges.
Assessment Methods (AMs):
AMs
Weighting
Individual oral
presentations
30%
ILOs
addressed
4 to 6
Active participation in
seminars and group
presentations
30%
1 to 9
3
Description of
Assessment Tasks
Students are
required to present
in French, on topics
related to the
evolution and
present-day situation
of the Frenchspeaking societies of
Europe.
Students must attend
all classes and try to
be punctual. All
students are
expected to read the
relevant readings
before the classes.
They should ask
questions, give
comments to the
presenters, and
participate in the
discussion.
Term paper
40%
1 to 5
Students are
required to submit a
term paper in
French, organized
synthesis on topics
related to the
evolution and
present-day situation
of the Frenchspeaking societies of
Europe.
Selected Sources:
Luxembourg
http://www.voix.lu/
http://www.le-jeudi.lu/edition/
http://www.tageblatt.lu/Edition/
http://www.lesfrontaliers.lu
http://www.etat.lu
http://www.portrait.public.lu/pictures/fr/autres/portrait_fr.pdf
http://www.statec.lu
http://www.statistiques.public.lu/fr/
http://www.gouvernement.lu/
Belgium
http://www.lesoir.be/
http://www.dhnet.be/
http://www.lalibre.be/
http://www.nouvellegazette.be/
http://www.rtbf.be
France
http://www.lemonde.fr
http://www.lefigaro.fr/
http://permanent.nouvelobs.com/
http://www.lexpress.fr/express/
http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/
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Switzerland
http://www.swissworld.org/fr/
http://www.swissinfo.org/sfr/swissinfo.html?siteSect=100
http://www.letemps.ch/
http://www.lecourrier.ch/
http://www.tdg.ch
http://www.24heures.ch/home/index.php?Page_ID=4528
http://www.tsr.ch/tsr/index.html?siteSect=100000
http://www.adminet.com/world/ch/
http://www.admin.ch/ch/index.fr.html
http://www.gov.ch/govch.nsf/webfmMain
http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/fr/index.html
Prepared by: Dr. Beatrice Cabau / September 2010
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