POL 2101A
INTRODUCTION TO CANADIAN POLITICS
Fall 2010
Professor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Email:
Martin Papillon
Desmarais 9117
Wednesday 1-3pm, or by appointment
martin.papillon@uottawa.ca
Wednesday
Friday
Room
10-11.30 am
8.30-10 am
ART 026
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Is Canada a democracy? Most of us assume it is. But what exactly is democracy? How does it work? What
are the strengths and weaknesses of Canadian democracy? This course introduces students to the
fundamental features of democracy in Canada using the analytical tools of political science. After reviewing
the sociological features of Canadian democracy, we will survey its main institutions, including the electoral
system, Parliament, federalism and the Charter. Finally, we will discuss some of the key challenges facing
Canadian democracy today, including the inclusion and recognition of minorities and the impact of
globalization. At the end of the semester, students should be able to identify and analyze critically the main
features and political dynamics of democracy in Canada.
REQUIREMENTS
Students are expected to attend the lectures each week, as well as two discussion group sessions to be
held during the semester. In order to prepare for the lectures, it is imperative to read the required texts. The
mandatory readings are an integral part of the course for evaluation purpose and will NOT be summarized
during the lectures. Students are also invited to participate in an online discussion about Canadian politics.
In order to fully benefit from the course, students are also strongly encouraged to keep informed on current
issues in Canadian politics. An easy way to do so is to read online news through the Globe and Mail or the
Ottawa Citizen websites. Current affairs shows, like Power and Politics (CBC News Network), provide
various viewpoints on unfolding events. The CBC web archives is also an excellent place to start for a basic
overview of some of the key historical debates in Canadian politics (http://archives.cbc.ca)
COURSE WEBSITE
The course website, accessible through the University of Ottawa Virtual Campus
(https://maestro.uottawa.ca) is an essential component of the course. You may want to familiarize yourself
with the website in the first week of class. Grades, additional readings and information about assignments
will be posted on the website. You are also expected to hand in your assignments through the website.
REQUIRED TEXTS
•
Rand Dyck, Canadian Politics. Critical Approaches (6th ed.), Thompson/Nelson, 2010.
Is available at the Agora Bookstore (145 Besserer)
Your textbook has a companion website, which includes useful information on the topics covered in this
class and beyond [http://www.canadianpolitics6e.nelson.com/student]
•
Additional mandatory readings are posted on the course website
COURSE EVALUATION
Mid term test (20%): in class, October 22
2 definition questions on key concepts discussed in class and 1 essay question.
Discussion groups (20%): October 1 and November 12
Presence and active participation in the two discussion group sessions is mandatory. The teaching
assistants will be evaluating your overall contribution to the discussion (5% each session).
Memoranda: For each discussion group session, you will have to submit a short, 800 words (2 pages
single-spaced), analysis of the topic discussed in the mandatory texts for discussion. Each memorandum
should be submitted on the course website BEFORE 8.30 on the day of your discussion group session.
They are worth 5% each.
Guidelines to prepare the memoranda are on the course website.
NB: no memorandum will be accepted after 8.30 on the day of the discussion session. Those who do not
submit a memorandum on time without proper justification will automatically get 0 out of 5.
Essay (25%): December 3
A critical essay (7 pages, double-spaced, Times 12pts) on a key challenge to Canadian democracy, based
on a choice of questions.
Questions and guidelines for the essay are on the course website.
Late penalty: 5% per day (including weekends) up to a maximum of 7 days. Extensions will not be granted
without proper justification (ie: doctor’s note).
A paper copy of your essay must be handed in class and an electronic version uploaded to the course
website by the end of the day on December 3. No email submissions will be accepted.
Final exam (35%): during the official examination period in December
The final exam will consist of both short definition and essay questions, based on the lectures as well as
reading material for the entire course, including the discussion group readings.
Absence from any examination or test must be justified. Reasons such as travel, employment, and
misreading the examination schedule are not accepted.
NEED HELP? Contact Us
If you have a questions about the course or on how to prepare for the lectures and the assignments feel
free to stop by during my office hours (Wednesday 1-3) or by appointment.
You can use email, but only for very brief questions for which you cannot find the answer on this syllabus or
on the course website. Depending on volume, I will do my best to answer your questions within
REASONABLE TIME (48hrs). Of course, don’t expect me to summarize a lecture that you missed!
You will also be assigned a Teaching Assistant for the course. For questions related to the discussion
groups and the essay, you should contact your TA.
The TAs are responsible for grading the memoranda, the mid-term exam and the essay. If you would like
more detailed feedback on the evaluation of your assignments, please contact your TA first. I will be happy
to meet with you after, if you still need clarification.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic integrity is an essential component of your learning experience. You are strongly encouraged to
consult the guidelines of the Faculty of Social Sciences regarding academic fraud and plagiarism available
at: http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/eng/writing_tools.asp
Here are a few examples of academic fraud:
• engaging in any form of plagiarism or cheating;
• presenting falsified research data;
• handing in an assignment that was not authored, in whole or in part, by the student;
• submitting the same assignment in more than one course, without the written consent of the professors.
The development of new technologies has made it much easier to identify academic plagiarism. The tools
available to your professors allow them to trace the origin of a text, using just a few words.
Persons who have committed or attempted to commit (or have been accomplices to) academic fraud will be
penalized. Here are some examples of the academic sanctions, which can be imposed:
•
a grade of « F » for the assignment or course in question;
•
an additional program requirement of between 3 and 30 credits;
•
suspension or expulsion from the Faculty.
Last session, most of the students found guilty of fraud were given an « F » for the course and had between
three and twelve credits added to their program requirement.
Basic rules to avoid plagiarism
* When borrowing another person’s words, use quotation marks and include a complete reference (author’s
name, date, pages). Internet sources must also be acknowledged.
* When borrowing another person’s ideas, acknowledge their origin and give a complete reference. Do not
paraphrase another writer’s words and pass them off as your own.
COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK 1 (September 8-10) Studying Canadian Democracy
•
The study of democracy: key concepts and analytical tools
Dyck, ch.1
Schmitter and Karl, “What Democracy Is And Is Not”, Journal of Democracy, 1991 (on website)
WEEK 2 (September 15-17) Canada: A Fragmented Society?
•
•
•
Two solitudes? Quebec and regional politics
Gender and politics
Are social classes a thing of the past?
Dyck ch. 3, 5, 7, 8 (read only 2 chapters, your choice)
WEEK 3 (September 22-24) Ideologies and Political Representation
•
•
The left and the right in Canada: still relevant?
Political parties
Dyck, ch.11, 14
P. Saurette, “When Smart Parties Make Stupid Decisions”, The Mark, July 2010 (on website)
WEEK 4 (September 29-October 1) Elections
•
•
Why the electoral system matters
The decline in voters turnout
Dyck, ch.13
October 1 - Discussion Group - Why Young Canadians Don’t Vote and What Can We Do About It?
Prepare a memorandum based on the following documents (available on the course website):
H. Milner. Are Young Canadians Becoming Political Dropouts?, Choices (IRPP) vol.11, no.3, 2005.
E. Gidengil et al. Missing the Message: Young Adults and the Election, Electoral Insight, Jan. 2006.
M. Ménard. Youth Voter Turnout in Canada : Reasons for the Decline and Efforts to Increase Participation,
Library of Parliament, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, April 2010
WEEK 5 (October 6-8) Interest Groups, Social Movements and the Media
•
•
The role of media in a democracy
How interest groups and movements influence politics
Dyck, ch.12, 16
**Guest speaker: Evan Solomon, host of Power and Politics, CBC News Network, “the role of
media in Canadian politics” (TBC)
WEEK 6 (October 13-15) The Constitution and Federalism
•
•
The constitution: building blocks or gridlock?
Canada is a federation: so what?
Dyck, ch.17, 18
WEEK 7 (October 20-22) Rights and Politics: the Charter
•
•
Human Rights and democracy
The Canadian Charter and its impact
Dyck ch.19
October 22: Midterm exam
NB: October 27-29 Reading Week – No class
WEEK 8 (November 3-5) The Government
•
•
Parliament and the Prime Minister: power imbalance?
Governing with a minority parliament
Dyck, ch.23, 21
J. Smith. “Canada’s Minority Parliament,” in Bickerton and Gagnon, Canadian Politics, 5th ed.,
UTP Press, 2009 (on website)
**Guest speaker on the role of Members of Parliament in Canadian democracy (TBC)
WEEK 9 (November 10-12): A Democratic Challenge: Aboriginal Peoples
Canada’s colonial legacy
•
Dyck ch.4
November 19 - Discussion Group – Is Self-Government the Answer for Aboriginal Peoples?
Prepare a memorandum based on the following texts (available on the course website):
K. Ladner. “Rethinking Aboriginal Governance,” in Brodie and Trimble, Reinventing Canada: Politics in the
21st Century, Prentice Hall, 2004.
T. Flanagan. “The Inherent Problems of Aboriginal Self-Government,” in First Nations? Second Thoughts,
McGill-Queen’s Press, 2001.
WEEK 10 (November 17-19): A Democratic Challenge: Immigration
Canada’s immigration policy
The challenges of multiculturalism and socio-economic integration
•
•
Dyck, ch.6
R. Omidvar, “Canada’s Immigration Score: Recommendations for a Win-Win,” Policy
Options, July-August 2010 (on website)
WEEK 11 (November 24-26): Canada and the World
•
•
Globalization and Canadian democracy
New frontiers, new challenges: Arctic sovereignty
Dyck ch.10
T. Fenge and T. Penikett "The Arctic Vacuum in Canada's foreign policy" Policy Options,
April 2009 (on website)
WEEK 13 (December 1- 3) Conclusion: The State of Democracy in Canada
•
•
Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of Canadian democracy
Course review and exam preparation
Dyck ch.24
NB: Critical Essay Due December 3
***Final Exam During Examination Period in December***