Spring 2020 - POL 252 J100

Local Democracy and Governance (3)

Class Number: 5278

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Wed, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 17, 2020
    Fri, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    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:

This course incorporates local democratic material from Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and from around the world to explore and understand the basis of and prospects for the level of government “closest to the people”. Beginning with an overview of the history and structure of Canadian municipal government , the rest of the course looks at the impacts of, and efforts to reform the local public policy and governing process. Issues include local bureaucracy, regional governance, citizen participation and federal/provincial-local relations. Students will be encouraged to research and discuss issues of interest from their own communities in their assignments and in class time allocated for this component.

There will be one 3-hour lecture each week.  Guest speakers may be anticipated and will be discussed at the initial classes.  Office Hrs – eg before and after class – will also be determined at the initial classes.

Grading

  • Local-Municipal Profile/Issue Profile 10%
  • Research Paper/Policy Brief/Report 30%
  • Discussion Participation 10%
  • Midterm Examination 20%
  • Final Take Home Examination 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Tindal, C. R., Tindal, S.N. Stewart, K and P. Smith, P  (2017), Local Government in Canada  (9th ed.), Toronto, Nelson.


ISBN: 10-0-17-658297-5

Other materials to be posted on Canvas.

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://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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS