Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - POL 131 D100

Politics of Prosperity and Inequality (3)

Class Number: 5345

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 15, 2018
    Sun, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces how politics shapes economic inequality and development. Focuses on how government policy and the struggle for power offer solutions to major social and economic problems. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines how scarce resources are distributed throughout Canadian society: money, time and skills. We will ask why some groups are more prosperous than others and what we can do to reduce poverty. We begin by looking at causes, impacts and possible solutions to inequality in Canada. We then apply these themes in a case study of international trade, asking who benefits and who loses in trade deals. Throughout the course, we will link these principles to examples you see in everyday life and to governments’ policy choices. For example, why is housing so expensive in Metro Vancouver, and what impact does that have on marginalized groups? How do we balance food security with environmental sustainability? Should governments introduce a universal basic income? Should Canada increase its trade with China?

There will be 2 x 50 mins lectures, plus a tutorial each week. Tutorials start in Week 2.

Grading

  • Tutorial participation 10%
  • In class quizzes (2; 5% each) 10%
  • Group report (trade simulation) 20%
  • Individual report (trade simulation) 25%
  • Final exam 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Grabb, Edward Jeffrey G. Reitz, Monica Hwang, Greg Anderson and Christopher Kukucha, Social Inequality in Canada and International Political Economy. Oxford University Press. 2016.
ISBN: 9780199015399.

( Note: this is a customized book, developed for POL 131, so it is only available at the SFU Bookstore. )

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