Overview

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class explores a wide cross-section of issues in Canadian politics, through the lens of our constitution and the federalism system it creates.  This class offers a unique mix of experiences over the term and provides an opportunity to develop a number of very different skills: short-deadline in-class research assignments, speed reading, and oral presentations. Writing assignments cover a range of styles and tasks: a book review appropriate for an academic journal, “op-ed” commentaries that fit the style of newspaper editorial pages, and a research paper. Students may write their term papers on almost any topic related to Canadian politics and government.

To understand Canadian politics, it is important to appreciate why we have a federal division of powers, how the division between the federal and provincial governments has evolved over the years, what practical consequences flow from a federal division of governmental structures, how public policy is managed in a federal system, the roles of political parties, and why Canadian federalism has continued to be a focus of so much discontent.  

Federalism is a starting point in this class to examine a variety of issues in Canadian politics. The class will look at intergovernmental clashes over policy control that are played out through jurisdictional disputes and the power of the federal purse. The impact of the federal division of powers on public policies such as health care and the environment will be reviewed. The failure of the national Parliament to provide effective regional representation will be examined, especially with respect to the electoral system. Aboriginal self-government will be examined for potential changes that differing self-government proposals may entail. The class will also cover the strong challenge from Quebec nationalists seeking to reshape or leave the Canadian federation.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: