Political Science 101B
Politics within Borders
Wilfrid Laurier University
Fall 2015
Instructor: Dr. Dejan Guzina
Lecture Time: TR 2:30 – 3:50pm
Email: dguzina@wlu.ca
Classroom: N1002 (Science Bldg)
Office: DAWB 4-154
Phone Extension: 2225
Office Hours: Tuesdays – 12:00 – 1:30pm; Thursday 12:00 – 1:30; or by appointment
Students e-mailing the professor should use PO101B in the subject line
so that emails are not confused with spam.
Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. Students may be required to submit their written work in
electronic form and have it checked for plagiarism.
Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier's Accessible Learning Office for information regarding its
services and resources. Students are encouraged to review the Calendar for information regarding all services available on campus.
The Political Science Department’s policy on deferred midterm and final examinations can be found at
http://www.wlu.ca/arts/politicalscience
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores the dynamic world of politics from Canadian and comparative perspectives. From
the local level to the national, politics shapes how we address controversial issues, such as possession of
guns or drugs and provision of public health care. Through the study of factors such as public opinion,
constitutions and laws, political parties, social movements and the ideologies that motivate them, we
can identify patterns that help us to understand the distinctive political worlds within countries.
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Welcome to the study of politics. I hope that this course will stir your interest in the political world that
surrounds us. Even though many of us don’t think much about politics, let alone political science, we are
all surrounded by it. Indeed, as the authors of our textbook claim, “politics is one of those areas in life
that we cannot avoid.” This course will provide you with a critical look at politics by making you more
aware of the complexities of politics. But, a few words of advice and explanation are in order before we
commence our journey into the world of politics.
As a discipline, political science is situated at the crossroads of both the social sciences and the
humanities, and it embraces a multiplicity of methodologies for the study of political phenomena. As
such, it can initially appear as overtly complicated, not to mention uninspiring and boring. This is, after
all, easy to understand. Students are being bombarded with many new words, political jargon, and
abstract arguments that seem removed from the real life. My task will be to persuade you that this is
not the case. The study of politics can be intoxicating once we discipline our minds and learn its
language. Indeed, we all have some general understanding of many political issues surrounding us, but
the key to articulating our political insights is to be able to evaluate critically those issues from a number
of different perspectives. And, in order to do so, we have to familiarize ourselves with the political
science vocabulary, its terms, concepts, and the various approaches used in political science.
Course Outline: Political Science 101B
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It is vital that you work hard in this course from the start of the semester. If you let yourself get behind
the course material you may loose your interest and fail to get most of the course content. Thus, I’m
encouraging you to keep yourself open to the course content. I hold the view that the best results are
achieved when students are both challenged and encouraged in their intellectual pursuits. My teaching
assistants (TAs) and I are here to help facilitate this process through lectures, class discussions, tutorials
(discussion sections), and office hours, and you should take advantage of these opportunities to clarify
all aspects of the course which are not clear to you. In the end, learning is a two-way street, and as
much we are hoping that you can learn from us, we are looking forward to gain new insights from you.
Course Aims
The study of politics is the privileged domain of neither political scientists nor politicians. While this
course is designed to prepare students who wish to pursue a Political Science degree (and/or the Legal
Studies Option) further at Laurier, it is also directed towards those who primarily want to increase their
ability to navigate the often complex and perplexing world of politics. With these two ends in mind, the
course is organized to help you:

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

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become clearer about and clearer in your own political beliefs;
develop your capacity to be critical about politics (to present different positions fairly and to
raise, if not yet answer, relevant questions about them) along constructive paths;
explore and appreciate the diversity of approaches available in the study and practice of politics;
identify and examine core concepts, issues, and themes that define politics within borders; and,
undertake the above in reference to political events unfolding in the world around us.
Course Objectives

differentiate between various ideologies, as well as examine the beliefs associated with them;

identify different types of democracy and differentiate between totalitarian and authoritarian
systems;

describe the powers and functions of the various branches of government: the executive, the
legislature, the judiciary, and the bureaucracy;

distinguish between the unitary, federal and confederal forms of government;

explain the importance of political parties and elections, as well as understand pros and cons of
the referendum;

describe how political culture shapes political behaviour;

appreciate how the media, civil society and non-governmental organizations can influence the
political attitudes and behaviour of voters;

understand the role of the comparative method in political science, and recognize the links
between politics and the economy;

compare and contrast various political systems (for example, Canada, Unites States, Japan, and
the European Union); and,

discuss the importance of the economic, political and social development (using the examples of
China, India and Mexico).
Course Outline: Political Science 101B
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REQUIRED TEXTS
George A. MacLean and Duncan R. Wood, Politics, an Introduction, 2nd edition (Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 2014).
COURSE EVALUATION
Assignment
Response paper (3-4 pages)
Short essay (4-5 pages)
Two quizzes (15% each)
Final exam
Attendance and participation
% of grade
10
20
30
30
10
Due date
October 1
December 1
October 8; November 17
to be scheduled by the Registrar office
throughout the semester
CLASS FORMAT:
Assigned Reading: The text for this course is available at the WLU bookstore. The best approach to the
textbook chapters is, of course, to read them before the lecture for which they have been assigned,
taking notes as you go along. If you can do this consistently you will understand and remember the
lecture material much more effectively. As a result, you will save yourself a considerable amount of time
in the long-term while probably performing better overall in the course. In addition to class exercises
and tutorials, students are encouraged to visit the textbook’s webpage that also contains chapter
exercises and quizzes:
http://www.oupcanada.com/higher_education/companion/politics/9780195448948/student_resources
.html.
MLS: You will be receiving announcements via the MLS homepage for this course
(https://mylearningspace.wlu.ca/). Readings for tutorial discussions will also be posted separately on
MLS webpage. Although I check communications sent to me through MLS, the most effective way to get
in touch with me or the Teaching Assistants (TAs) is by using our WLU e-mail addresses. If you
experience technical difficulties with MLS, you should get in touch with myLS@wlu.ca without delay.
Lectures: The easiest way to struggle in this course – or even to fail – is to not come to lectures. Even
though the course is designed around the textbook, the lectures provide the structure and a significant
portion of the content of the material covered during the term. Moreover, unless you regularly attend
the lectures, you will find it difficult to know how to approach the material in the textbook. You will also
miss important explanations and information concerning the tutorials, written assignments, and exams.
Lectures can be a place where some of the most significant learning that you will experience takes place,
if you come prepared to listen and participate.
TOP HAT (BONUS MARKS): You can earn bonus marks in this course, which will be added directly to your
final calculated grade. These bonus marks will be based on your attendance and participation in class
using Top Hat. Top Hat is a web-based classroom response system that allows immediate interactive
feedback. I will be using it 1) to take attendance every class; 2) to share your questions related to the
class material with your classmates; and 3) to assess your understanding of the course material. Your
attendance and all your responses will be recorded within Top Hat, and you will have the ability to
review these statistics throughout the semester.
Top Hat can be used with your laptops, tablets, ipads, smartphones, and regular cell-phones. (If you
have none of these devices, you can hand in a sheet of paper to me at the end of each class, which will
indicate your attendance and all your responses.) You can purchase your Top Hat subscription at the
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bookstore or directly on the Top Hat Monocle website at www.tophat.com/register/student. Please
have your subscription ready to go for the first class.
There are two types of Top Hat subscriptions: $24.00 for 4 months; $36.00 annual. Those students
registered in PO102 in the winter term are encouraged to subscribe for a full year since the PO102
course instructor will be using this software as well. Top Hat access code for PO101 is 963346.
The Bonus marks will be assigned in the following way:
1. If you attend 85% or more of the classes and answer at least 80% of the questions asked in class
using Top Hat you would receive 3-percentage points on top of your final mark. For example, if
your final mark is 77% (B+), once the bonus points are calculated, your final mark will be raised to
80% (A-).
2. If you attend 80% to 84% of the classes and answer at least 77% of the questions, your final mark
will increase by 2 percentage points (for example, your final mark of 68 (C+) will be raised to 70%
(B-).
3. If you attend 75% to 79% of the classes and answer at least 73% of the questions, your final mark
will increase by 1 percentage point.
In-class Quizzes: During the fifth and tenth weeks of class, short tests/quizzes will be conducted to
evaluate your understanding of the course material. The content of the tests will be discussed in class.
Tutorials: When registering for PO101 you should also have signed up for a tutorial group. You should
check LORIS to confirm which tutorial you are in, as you must attend your own tutorial. Each tutorial
group will be led by a TA and will meet during alternating weeks for a total of four sessions during the
term. During the tutorials you will be asked to present different positions on given issues accurately and
to raise and pursue questions about them in an attempt to improve your individual and collective
capacity to think critically about politics. Your participation mark will not simply reflect your attendance
but will also incorporate an evaluation of the quality of your participation. The tutorial material (shorter
articles, video clips) will be uploaded on the MLS page.
Tutorial
CRN
Day & Time
Tutorial
CRN
Day & Time
#B1
4041
W 2:30 – 3:20 pm
#B4
4046
W 5:30 – 6:20 pm
#B2
4044
W 3:30 – 4:20 am
#B6
4048
W 2:30 – 3:20 pm
#B3
4045
W 4:30 – 5:20 am
#B10
4042
W 6:30 – 7:20 pm
Short Papers: Students should write two short papers for this course. Detailed term paper instructions
will be provided in the handout that will be uploaded on MLS and Top Hat the first week of classes. Due
date for the response paper is October 1, while the second paper is due on December 1.
Final Exam: The final will take place during the exam period (December 12-23) at a time and place set by
the Faculty of Arts. You are all “advised not to make travel commitments during this time period.” The
exam will allow us to evaluate your learning of course material as contained in assigned readings,
lectures, and tutorials throughout the term. Some guidelines will be discussed in class concerning how
you might best approach preparing for the exam.
Code of Conduct: Two notes on student conduct are, however, worth mentioning at this stage. First, all
students are expected to treat one another with respect in their interactions through this course.
Second, all students are responsible for becoming familiar and acting with academic integrity as defined
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at Laurier, especially – but not exclusively – with respect to plagiarism. More information can be found
at http://www.wlu.ca/academicintegrity. You should feel free to discuss these issues further with me, or
your TA, at any point during the term.
If you have any questions or concerns about the course, lectures, readings, tutorials, assignments, or any
other matter, do not hesitate to contact either your TA or me. For example, if you are unable to attend
one of your tutorials, complete a written assignment, or take an exam on time, you should contact us as
soon as possible so that we can discuss the matter and determine what options are available. Each case
will be treated on its own merits but it is expected that you will provide appropriate documentation.
Email etiquette: When you are communicating with the Professor or TAs using email:
1. Make sure the subject line of your message identifies the course number and the nature of your
query (for example: PO102 Assignment Question);
2. Also, make sure you tell us your name, student number, your TA’s name, and your tutorial
number; and
3. Finally, you should use only your Laurier email account when corresponding with your TAs or a
professor.
LECTURE OUTLINE AND REQUIRED READINGS
Week 1 (Sept. 10)

Course overview
SECTION ONE: Political Science Toolkit
Week 2 (Sept. 15/17)

Studying politics
Week 3 (Sept. 22/24)
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The language of political science
Week 4 (Sept. 29/Oct.1)
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The world of ideologies
Response paper (due on October 1)
Week 5 (Oct. 6/8)
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Types of governments (liberal democracies, authoritarian regimes)
Quiz 1 (October 8)
October 12-16 – No classes (Thanksgiving and Reading Week)
SECTION TWO: How Politics Works?
Week 6 (Oct. 20/22)

Governmental toolkit (the executive, the legislature, the judiciary, the bureaucracy)
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Week 7 (Oct. 27/29)

Political systems (unitary and federal states)
Week 8 (Nov. 3/5)
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Political participation (elections and parties)
Week 9 (Nov. 10/12)
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Political socialization and culture (public opinion, media, civil society)
Film (November 12)
SECTION THREE: Comparative Politics in Action
Week 10 (Nov. 17/19)
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Quiz 2 (November 17)
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Comparative politics in the context of developed states I
Week 11 (Nov. 24/26)
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Comparative politics in the context of developed states II
Politics in developing states I
Week 12 (Dec. 1/3)
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Short essay – due on December 1
Politics in developing states II
Week 13 (December 8 – last day of class)

Review session
Note: weekly lectures correspond to the textbook chapters
Important dates (one more time)
Response paper
Quiz 1
Film
Quiz 2
Short essay
October 1
October 8
November 12
November 17
December 1
Academic and Research Misconduct
Academic misconduct is an act by a student, or by students working on a team project which may result
in a false evaluation of the students(s), or which represents a deliberate attempt to unfairly gain an
academic advantage. Academic misconduct includes: please refer to web site:
http://www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=2502&p=11452
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Examination Deferrals
The University Undergraduate Regulations section of the 2015/2016 calendar:
http://legacy.wlu.ca/calendars/section.php?cal=1&s=702&sp=2508&ss=2960&y=65#Deferred_Examinat
ion_Policy clearly states the examination policy and the date period for each semester. Students must
note that they are required to reserve this time in their personal calendars for examinations. Students
who are considering registering to write MCAT, LSAT or GMAT or similar examinations should select a
time for those examinations that occurs outside the University examination period.
Please check this web page for additional information regarding special circumstances for examination
deferment.
The up to date, official Academic Calendar is posted on the Wilfrid Laurier University’s web site at
http://www.wlu.ca. Go to Academic Info / Academic Calendars / Undergraduate Academic Calendar /
2015/2016.
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