Spring 2025 - POL 429 D100
Selected Topics in Canadian Government and Politics II (4)
Class Number: 7156
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 14, 2025
Mon, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Prerequisites:
Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.
Description
COURSE DETAILS:
Selected Topic: Modern BC Politics: Parties, Elections and Governance, 1991-Present
Calendar Description:
An election-by-election look at the dynamic world of modern BC Politics. This course focuses on BC political parties and the ideologies, policies, leaders and factions that define them. It will progress chronologically, beginning with the significant political realignment seen in the 1991 election, and ending with the comparably-massive political shift in the lead-up to the recent October 2024 election.
Course Details:
It is often said there is never a dull moment in B.C. politics, and this is certainly the case today. Renowned for its polarization, unpredictability, tenuous partnerships and dynamic personalities, modern B.C. politics is an exciting and too-often overlooked field of study.
This course focuses on B.C. political parties and the ideologies, policies, leaders and factions that define them. It will progress chronologically, beginning with the significant political realignment seen in the 1991 election, and ending with the comparably-massive political shift in the lead-up to the recent October 2024 election.
Most classes will concentrate on a specific election and subsequent mandate, looking at political parties, the ideologies the represent, influential party leaders (and leadership races), various internal and external influences on the parties, and major policy initiatives undertaken by each government in the years of their mandate following each election, beginning with 1991, then 1996, 2001 and so on until 2024.
The framing of the discussion of for each class will be twofold: focusing on parallels between recent and past dynamics in B.C. politics, and focusing on the shifting divides that have characterized each period. Particular emphasis will be given to ideological, regional, class-based and other divides between parties that are widely argued to persist in B.C. politics, but additional attention will be given to divides within parties (e.g., labour vs. environmentalist factions within the NDP, and fiscally-conservative vs. socially conservative factions within the dominant parties of the right).
Course readings include a mix of chapters, journal articles and media articles, with the latter adding to greater understanding of the political context being discussed in a given week. The readings are a crucial component of the course, and active participation of all students in the discussion of those readings is required, forming a significant portion of the overall course evaluation.
The goal of the course is for students to emerge from their studies able to draw parallels between current and past events, based on a comprehensive understanding of the key events, parties, personalities, issues and overall political dynamics that have defined, and continue to define, the eventful world of B.C. politics.
Course Organization:
There will be an in-person 3-hour seminar once a week. The seminar will include weekly presentations by students, an instructor-led discussion on the readings, and group-based collaboration within the seminar setting.
Grading
- Student Participation 30%
- Response Paper and Presentation 15%
- Opinion Column 15%
- Final Exam (in-person essays) 40%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Michael Howlett, Dennis Pilon and Tracy Summerville (Eds.). 2010. British Columbia Politics and Government. Toronto: Emond Montgomery. [Note: unavailable for purchase but one physical copy appears to be available via SFU library]
Shaw, Rob and Richard Zussman. 2018. A Matter of Confidence: The Inside Story of the Political Battle for B.C. Victoria: Heritage House. [Online access available via SFU Library]
Additional required readings will be made available to students, including journal articles, reports, media articles highlighting key events and issues, and party platforms.
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
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
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.