Spring 2018 - POL 359 E100

Selected Topics in Governance (4)

The Politics of Reconciliation in Canada

Class Number: 13083

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Wed, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 15, 2018
    Sun, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Darren Bohle
  • Prerequisites:

    Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected topics: The Politics of Reconciliation in Canada


Reconciliation has become an indispensable term for understanding the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada delivered its report about the residential schools to which First Nation, Inuit and Métis children were forcibly sent. The TRC also delivered 94 Calls to Action aimed at promoting Canadian reconciliation. Beginning with these calls to action, this course will explore how the politics of reconciliation in Canada have been shaped by the struggles of Indigenous peoples, and by the use of truth commissions as institutional responses to social conflicts.

This course will review the context in which Canada’s residential schools operated, and will introduce key terms informing the politics of reconciliation, including concepts of setter colonialism and transitional justice. By examining the politics of apology, reparation, recognition and transition, students will gain a practical and theoretical overview of reconciliation as a major political discourse in Canada, and will be prepared to discuss their own ideas and research in a seminar format.

Course aims:
1) To introduce the concept of reconciliation and explain its political significance in Canada.
2) To foster critical engagement with different perspectives on reconciliation.
3) To foster practical engagement with reconciliation in our own lives and communities.

There will be a 4-hour seminar each week.

Grading

  • Essay Outline 5%
  • Essay (3500 words) 30%
  • Mid-Term Exam 20%
  • Final Exam 30%
  • Seminar Participation 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Regan, Paulette. Unsettling the Settler Within: Indian Residential Schools, Truth Telling, and Reconciliation In Canada. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2010.

Online readings available through SFU Libraries.

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