Fall 2025 - POL 100 D900
Introduction to Politics and Government (3)
Class Number: 2842
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
Surrey -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 12, 2025
Fri, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
Surrey
-
Instructor:
Logan Masilamani
masilama@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A comprehensive introduction to the study of politics and government for both political science majors and students specializing in other disciplines. The course will explore the major concepts, methods, approaches and issues in political science, as well as the primary components of government structure and the political process. Students with credit for POL 101W may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.
COURSE DETAILS:
Course Description:
“...why am I so interested in politics? If I were to answer you very simply I would say this: why shouldn’t I be interested? That is to say, what blindness, what deafness, what density of ideology would have to weigh me down to prevent me from being interested in what is probably the most crucial subject to our existence, that is to say the society in which we live, the economic relations in which it functions, and the system of power which defines the regular forms and regular permissions and prohibitions of our conduct? The essence of our life consists, after all of the political functioning of the society in which we find ourselves.” Michel Foucault
A disinterest in politics is something that no conscientious citizen can afford. This course is intended to provide students with a means of engaging broad political questions:
- Why are some societies plagued by war and violence, while others are stable and peaceful?
- How are the values in one society passed along to new members, and why do they differ from the values in other countries?
- Why does it matter how we structure the institutions of government, limit their powers, or determine which individuals should hold public offices and exercise authority over the rest of the population?
A comparative approach in this class, looking at how differently politics are organized in other countries, will provide a broader context to determine how well particular government structures and processes may work.
Course Organization:
Lecture slides will be provided via canvas. We will have a live class to undertake discussion of the lecture material and also discuss pertinent topics. Readings for discussions will be uploaded to canvas.
Grading
- Term Paper 35%
- Participation 20%
- Mid-term Test 15%
- Final Exam 30%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Politics: An Introduction, 4e Instructor Resources by George A. MacLean, Duncan R. Wood, Lori Turnbull
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:
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.