Lake Superior State University
PS 160 Canadian Politics
Office Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 am -- 12:00 pm
Monday and Wednesday 1:00 pm -- 2:00 pm
And by appointment
Dr. Richard T. Conboy
Spring 2005
Office: 215 Library
Tel.: 906-635-2339
e-mail: rconboy@lssu.edu
Course Description
This course has the purpose of providing a comprehensive introduction to Canadian
politics and government. The course will examine governmental institutions, political
identities, electoral politics, social movements, and a range of policy issues. In part, the
course will take a comparative approach to studying the Canadian experience.
Course Objectives
Students successfully completing this course should achieve the following objectives:

demonstrate an understanding of the essential institutions and processes of
Canadian government and politics

describe and analyze some of the important contemporary issues affecting
Canadian politics

apply political science theories through field projects, writing assignments,
and discussions

present some of the theories of political science in the context of Canadian
government

familiarize the students with resource materials for continuing their study of
government and politics

develop critical thinking techniques in analyzing public policy issues
Textbook
Archer, Gibbins, Knopf, et al. Parameters of Power 3rd edition. Toronto: Nelson
Canada, 2002
The assigned readings in the text should be read prior to each class meeting.
Other reading materials may be assigned during the course.
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Course Requirements
Three Examinations @50 points
Four Quizzes @ 5 points
Analytical Paper
Class Participation
Political Meeting Paper
150 points
20 points
30 points
70 points
30 points
------------300 points
Final Grade
The following scale will be the basis used to determine your final grade:
Points
270 - 300
240 - 269
210 - 239
180 - 209
0 - 179
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Examinations and Quizzes
There will be three examinations in this course. Each exam will cover the material
covered since the previous examination. They will be multiple choice examinations and
the questions will be taken primarily from the material presented in the text, lectures, and
handouts. The format of the quizzes will be the same as the examinations. If you have
any questions regarding the material in the text, ask them during the class periods--there
will be time available for questions during every class--or contact me during my office
hours.
The dates for the examinations are listed on the class schedule. Scantron answer
sheets will be needed for the examinations. If needed, a make-up examination can be
scheduled. Requests for make-up examinations are to be submitted in writing to me.
The dates for the quizzes will be announced at least one class period prior to the quiz.
No make-ups will be given for the quizzes.
If you require special conditions for taking the tests or quizzes, please contact me so a
format can be arranged.
Analytical Paper
This paper will require you to search internet sites related to Canadian government or
politics and relate the information in those sites to some section of the text. The text lists
some sites at the end of each chapter; there are a number listed at the website for this
course: http://rtconboy.tripod.com/fallcourse/. Evaluate the usability of the sites and
the information that they provide. Whenever possible select sites that have different
views of the same issue. Explain the value that the sites have for the ordinary citizen.
Select a topic that is of interest to you.
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The analytical paper must be typed. Include the home page of each site with your
paper. It is strongly recommended that you use a word processor in writing these
papers, since it will allow you to revise them more easily. Limit your analysis to one side
of a sheet of paper, typed, and double-spaced.
Your papers should include the following elements:
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describe the sponsoring organizations of the sites
explain how the sites that you selected are related to a topic in the text
list the specific chapter and pages where the topic is found in the text
summarize the main purpose or theme of the sites
compare or contrast the site's perspective with the text's viewpoint
and with one another
how user friendly are the sites
identify areas that could be improved in these sites
rate these sites with 1 meaning very poor and 10 meaning excellent
explain why you give the sites these particular ratings
The Learning Center, located in the Library Building, provides assistance in developing
and preparing your papers. You should use the Learning Center and its advisors in
preparing the drafts of your first paper.
Political Meeting Paper
The political meeting paper involves attending and reporting on a political meeting held
during the semester. Some examples of local Canadian meetings that would satisfy this
include: city commission, boards of education, court trials, planning or zoning boards,
local political party meetings, etc. For national issues, CBC provides a wide assortment
of programming to choose from.
Your paper should:
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Identify the meeting,
Describe who was in attendance
Explain the topics discussed
Explain why the meeting was held
Describe how the meeting was conducted (e.g., was an agenda available,
were there any points of conflict, were votes taken, were there any comments
from the public, were you asked why you were attending)
Explain how the meeting compares with the text; for example, did the meeting
provide an example of democracy in action
Include, if possible, any documents handed out at the meeting and a
description of whether the meeting was covered by the media
You may find it valuable to interview one or more of the participants at a
meeting that you attend in person
You may also want to read or view the media coverage given the meeting
and compare that with your own view of the meeting.
Your paper is to be limited to two typed pages
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General Comments
All of your written work will be evaluated based on both the quality of its content as well
as how it is expressed. Proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation will improve your
grades.
The penalty for plagiarism is a failing grade for the course.
Your attendance in class is necessary for class participation. Attendance will be taken
on a periodic basis.
You should keep a copy of all the materials that you hand in.
Various articles will be distributed during the term and some will also be placed on
reserve in the library. You will be responsible for reading these as part of your course
assignments.
Schedule
Week
Chapter
Topic/Assignment
1
1
2
2
Introduction
Canadian Institutions and Politics
Political Culture and Ideology
3, 4
5,6
3
4
Constitutional Issues and Federalism
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
6
7, 8
5
Mid-term Examination
Parliament's Legislative Process
9, 10
11
6
7
Executive Institutions
Interest Groups and Media
12
13, 14
8
9
Political Party System
Elections
15
Final Examination
4