Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - POL 221 D900

Introduction to Canadian Government (3)

Class Number: 7672

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2024
    Wed, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    POL 100 or 151 or permission of department.

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 DETAILS

Many Canadians are deeply alienated from their politicians, and many Quebeckers would like to leave Canada to set up their own country.  A surprising number of Albertans feel the same way, too. So, what has gone wrong? To answer this question, one needs to delve into how political power and authority is divided in Canada between five different types of government. The Constitution defines which areas of public policy may be dealt with by the different levels of government. It also sets out limits on the powers of any government, through the Charter of Rights. But politics determine the amount of money available to pay for those polices, plus just how autonomous or not each level of government is from one another.  

This class focuses on Canada’s Constitution and government institutions, through which are channelled all major divisions and disagreements over public policy. POL 221 should help you understand how Canada is governed, how political power is institutionalized and exercised, as well as how the wealth of the country is divided between the different governments.  Knowing that, we can have a much better idea of what needs fixing.

COURSE ORGANIZATION

The class will have a weekly two-hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial (tutorials begin in Week 2). 

Grading

  • Mid-term exam 10%
  • Term paper 40%
  • Tutorial participation 20%
  • Final exam 30%

NOTES:

* Students are required to submit written assignments to the Turnitin.com service in order to get credit.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Cochrane, Blidook & Dyck, Canadian Politics: Critical Approaches, 9th Edition

Purchase this text as an e-text directly from Tophat.com (ISBN 9781774122938):

https://tophat.com/catalog/social-science/political-science/full-course/canadian-politics-critical-approaches-9th-edition/4385/   (Read + Study – no code required)

Amazon may have copies of the paperback version available (ISBN 978-0176883881):

https://www.amazon.ca/Canadian-Politics-Approaches-Christopher-Cochrane/dp/0176883886/


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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 website 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