Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - POL 252 D100

Local Democracy and Governance (3)

Class Number: 7368

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    POL 100 or 101W or 151 or permission of department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The political process in the urban municipality from a comparative perspective. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Local governments are important institutions; a vast range of public services and regulatory regimes are often the responsibility of local governments.  Despite their importance, many people know little about them.  This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to local government.  Mayors and councils can help residents find a balance between supporting provincial and territorial governments and ensure these senior governments respect the will of the local population.   Municipal officials can also help residents find a balance between increased participation in the globalized economy and protecting community values.  The themes discussed in this course include local government powers and responsibilities, community planning, fiscal and investment issues, and elections and community participation.

Course Format:

The class will run asynchronously with some recorded instruction in addition to synchronous tutorials.  Please refer to scheduled days/times for tutorials.

Grading

  • Three Take Home Synchronous Quizzes Through Canvas (1 1/2 hours each) 30%
  • Attendance and Participation in Tutorial 10%
  • Asynchronous Local Issues Assignment 20%
  • Term paper 25%
  • Asynchronous Online Contribution to the Discussion Board 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Tindal, Tindal, Stewart, and Smith, Local Government in Canada  (Nelson 2017) 9th edition, ISBN: 9780176582975

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).