Introduction to Canadian Politics POLI 204/2B. Concordia University Fall 2005

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1 Introduction to Canadian Politics POLI 204/2B Concordia University Fall 2005 Professor: Mebs Kanji Office: H Phone: TBA COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides an introduction to the study of Canadian politics and the institutions of Canadian governance. The basic focus is on the principles and practices that structure the exercise of political power in Canada and whether political institutions and actors are sufficiently responsive to the demands of Canadians. To this end, the issue of political culture and its effect on political institutions will be investigated, as well as the constitutional setting that impacts federalism, political parties and the functioning of Canada s House of Commons and the Senate. The exercise of power by the Prime Minister and Cabinet will allow students to consider the quality of democratic governance and whether parliamentary reform is necessary in Canada. Attention will also be paid to constitutional politics from 1960 to 1995, with a particular emphasis on Quebec. Finally, the role of the Supreme Court of Canada and its interpretation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms will be considered in light of the theme of democratic governance in Canada. REQUIRED TEXTS Stephen Brooks, Canadian Democracy: An Introduction, 4 th edition. Toronto: Oxford University Press, GRADE DISTRIBUTION Mid-term #1: 20 % (October 13, 2005) Mid-term #2: 20 % (November 8, 2005) Term Paper: 25 % (November 24, 2005) Final Exam: 35 % (December, 2005)

2 2 TERM PAPER REQUIREMENTS The length of the term paper is between words, or roughly 7-8 pages of text. The term paper must be double-spaced with standard margins using a 12 point font. The term paper is due November 24, 2005 in class. A penalty of 5 per cent per day will be assessed on all late assignments. Topics will be handed out in class after October 13, 2005 PLAGIARISM The Department has zero tolerance for plagiarism. 1. What is plagiarism? Any form of cheating, plagiarism, personation, falsification of a document as well as any other form of dishonest behaviour related to the obtention of academic gain or the avoidance of evaluative exercises committed by a student is an academic offence under the Academic Code of Conduct. To find out more about how to avoid plagiarism, see the Concordia University Student Learning Services at m.html 2. What are the consequences of getting caught? One of the following sanctions may be imposed: i) a written reprimand; ii) piece of work be re-submitted; iii) specified community service at the University of up to ten (1) hours per week for a specified period of time; iv) a failing grade for the piece of work in question or for the course if applicable; v) a failing grade and ineligibility for a supplemental examination or any other evaluative exercise for the course; vi) the obligation to take and pass courses of up to twenty-four (24) credit in addition to the total number of credits required for the student s program as specified by the Academic Hearing Board. If the student is registered as an Independent student, the sanction will be imposed only if he or she applied and is accepted into a program. Complete regulations can be found on page 61 of the University calendar.

3 COURSE OUTLINE AND REQUIRED READINGS 3 NOTE: the assigned readings are found in two sources: 1. Stephen Brooks, Canadian Democracy: An Introduction, 4 th edition 2. Introduction University Press, 2004), The Canadian Constitutional Setting University Press, 2004), Parliament and the Governor General C.E.S. Franks, The Parliament of Canada (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1987), David C. Docherty, The Canadian Senate: Chamber of Sober Reflection or Loony Cousin Best Not Talked About, Journal of Legislative Studies 8 (2002), Jennifer Smith, Debating the Reform of Canada s Parliament, in F. Leslie Seidle and David C. Docherty, eds., Reforming Parliamentary Democracy (Montreal: McGill- Queen s University Press, 2003),

4 Prime Minister and Cabinet 4 University Press, 2004), Herman Bakvis, Prime Minister and Cabinet in Canada: An Autocracy in Need of Reform? Journal of Canadian Studies 35 (2000), EASTMAN SYSTEMS Donald J. Savoie, Governing from the Centre: The Concentration of Power in Canadian Politics (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999), EASTMAN SYSTEMS Canadian Federalism University Press, 2004), Keith Banting, The Past Speaks to the Future: Lessons from the Postwar Social Union, in Harvey Lazar, ed., Canada: The State of the Federation, 1997 (Montreal: McGill- Queen s University Press, 1997), Canadian Federal Elections University Press, 2004), Louis Massicotte, Changing the Canadian Electoral System, in Paul Howe, Richard Johnston and Andre Blais, eds., Strengthening Canadian Democracy (Montreal: IRPP, 2005), Canadian Political Parties and Parliamentarians David C. Docherty, Mr. Smith Goes to Ottawa: Life in the House of Commons (Vancouver: UBC Press, 1997), Jonathan Malloy, High Discipline, Low Cohesion? The Uncertain Patterns of Canadian Parliamentary Party Groups, Journal of Legislative Studies 9 (2003),

5 5 R. Kenneth Carty and Stephen Wolintez, Political Parties and the Canadian Federations Coalition Politics, in J. Peter Meekison, Hamish Telford and Harvey Lazar, eds., Canada: The State of the Federation, 2002 (Montreal: McGill-Queen s University Press, 2004), Language, Diversity and Constitutional Politics in Canada University Press, 2004), The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms University Press, 2004), Janet L. Hiebert, Parliament, Courts, and Rights: Sharing the Responsibility for Interpreting Rights, in James Bickerton and Alain-G. Gagnon, eds., Canadian Politics, 3 rd edition (Peterborough: Broadview Press, 2002), EASTMAN SYSTEMS Conclusion No assigned readings