Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - POL 121 D100

Political Engagement: From the Streets to the Ballot Box (3)

Class Number: 6799

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Mon, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 11, 2018
    Tue, 3:29–3:29 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to political action and behaviour. Politics involves the struggle for power and influence. Nowhere is this more evident than when individuals mobilize and engage in political action, whether in a revolution to overthrow an authoritarian regime, protesting on the street against the government, or voting on Election Day. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course gives students the tools to be an engaged citizen. We compare the Canadian political system to other democratic systems so that you learn how to participate in ongoing policy debates and to engage with your political representatives. We will deal with two key questions. First, we will ask what drives voter turnout and how to judge the quality of representation delivered by politicians. Second, we will investigate ways that citizens can get involved between elections: elections: activism, political parties, legal challenges to government decisions and citizen consultation projects. In particular we will be focusing on encouraging students to vote in the BC Referendum on Electoral Reform, to be held in November 2018.

There will be 2 x 50-min lectures plus a tutorial each week. Tutorials start in Week Two.

Grading

  • Tutorial and lecture participation 10%
  • Mid-term 10%
  • Group project 20%
  • Individual written assignment 25%
  • Final exam (Take-Home) 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Russell J. Dalton. The Participation Gap: Social Status and Political Inequality.  2017. Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 9780198733607

Plus journal and news articles available on-line (see the syllabus).

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS