Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the institutional order and political structure of the Canadian state. The course will include topics such as the constitution, parliament, cabinet, judiciary, public service and federal-provincial relations.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Description:

During the COVID pandemic, why did some areas of Canada have lockdowns and school closures and others did not? Why do governments find it so difficult to address issues like climate change, drug overdoses, the housing crisis and reconciliation? Understanding Canada’s political system gives you insight into how we deal with today’s major challenges. Who gains power through our political institutions, and whose voices are represented? What are the constraints facing governments?

This course introduces you to how your government works and gives you the chance to explore current controversies in Canada. We will begin by examining Canada’s parliamentary system, contrasting it to the US presidential system. This part of the course will cover the major national institutions: Parliament, the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the public service. We will also study how Members of Parliament are elected, learning about the national electoral system and major political parties. We will apply this knowledge in a class simulation of the Canadian Parliament, where opposition parties are trying to bring down the government of the day.

After learning about parliamentary government, we will then ask what limits the Canadian government’s power. What constraints come from federalism, the courts and Indigenous government? How does the parliamentary system come into conflict with these other institutions, and can these conflicts be resolved?

Course Organization:

There will be an in-person 2-hour lecture plus an in-person tutorial, once a week.

Please note that you are expected to submit written assignments to Turnitin.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

REQUIRED READING NOTES: