Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - POL 347 F100

Canadian Foreign Policy (4)

Class Number: 2900

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 15, 2025
    Mon, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An overview of Canadian foreign policy post World War II. Various perspectives are discussed including realism, economic nationalism, liberal internationalism and political economy/dependency analysis. A variety of analytical perspectives are used to examine issue-areas such as foreign trade including the role of NAFTA, defence policy and alliance relations, foreign investment, foreign aid, immigration policy, energy policy and the role of domestic political factors in foreign policy decision-making.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Description:

The course addresses the main issues and actors in Canadian foreign policy. The first part presents the theoretical foundations and historical roots of this policy, as well as the different actors involved in its formulation. The second part analyzes cross‐cutting issues in Canadian Foreign Policy (Canada‐US relations, the Arctic, Canada‐France relations, Foreign aid and development, digital diplomacy in Canada, Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Foreign Policy, defense procurements, international trade).

Course Organization:

Weekly 3-hr class, split between lectures and seminar discussions.

Note:  This course is taught in French.

Grading

  • Quiz 20%
  • Active participation and discussion 10%
  • Two 5-page papers: 2 x 15% 30%
  • Final exam 40%

NOTES:

Note on the two 5-page papers:  

Students are required to submit their papers to the Turnitin.com service in order to get credit for the assignment.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Kim Richard Nossal , Stéphane Paquin , Stéphane Roussel, Politique internationale et défense au Canada et au Québec, PUM, 2ème edition, 2023.


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

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: 


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.