An examination of the institutions and processes of Canadian government. Analysis will be made of the Canadian Social Structure and political culture; parties; pressure groups and social movements, the legislature, executive and judicial aspects of government; and federation.
Credits:3
Hours: 45 (Lecture Hours: 3)
Total Weeks:15
Prerequisites:
None
Non-Course Prerequisites:
None
Co-requisites:
None
Course Content:
- What politics in general is, and the history of the Canadian government
- We will talk about the Context of government, and the context of politics in Canada
- We will learn about the Constitutional framework, and the British North America Act
- We will study the concept of federalism,
- How has Canada been affected by Nationalism and Regionalism?
- What is the Formal and the Political Executive
- What is the function of the Parliament, and what is the differences between a minority and a majority government
- The course will explore how laws and bills are passed
- We will study the Public Administration, the democratic control of the bureaucracy
- We will learn about the Administration of Justice
- The course will discuss Canada's political parties and interest groups
- We will talk about the differences between the Canadian political system and that of the United States
- We will learn about the historical and present election system
- The course will end by looking at ethical issues in Canadian government and politics
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Explain the historical background of the Canadian federal and provincial governments.
- Explain how the Constitution has changed over time, and how amendments can be made
- Identify and explain the differences between Canada's major political parties
- Identify the different components, that make up the Canadian government and their respective responsibilities.
- Analyze the differences between a minority and a majority government, and how this affects the Parliament
- Describe the processes that lead from an idea to laws, treaties, and inter-provincial agreements
- Discuss and analyze the differences between the Canadian and American systems of government
Knowledge:
- Be able to explain the context of the Canadian Government
- Describe he constitutional framework
- Identify the meaning of federalism
- Describe the difference between nationalism vs. regionalism
- Explain the role of the Executive office
- Analyze he history and function of the parliament
- Describe the role of Public Administration
- Explain the function of the Justice system
- Describe Political parties and interest groups
- Explain the process of elections in Canada
- Analyze ethics in government and politics
- Evaluate arguments put forward by political scientists weighing the evidence they present and making judgments about the strength of their arguments.
- Demonstrate how knowledge in political structures enables an understanding of current issues in Canadian politics
- Conduct academic research, and present findings in effective academic language
- Demonstrate a willingness to listen in a courteous manner to opposing arguments, while still voicing individual ideas
Skills:
- Identify arguments in historical texts
- Contrast and compare historical arguments in texts on similar topics but with different arguments
- Write essays using academic language and structure
- Present a group work before the class
- Prepare a powerpoint presentation
Attitudes:
- Appreciate and respect other students opinions. Learn to work in a group.
Technologies:
- Access written texts through D2L.
- Contribute to online discussions through D2L.
- Submit written assignments through D2L.
Grading System: Letters
Passing Grade: D (50 %)
Percentage of Individual Work: 100
Textbooks:
Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.