2023f_po263a_courseoutline_anderson_v01a

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Wilfrid Laurier University *

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101

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Political Science

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Oct 30, 2023

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PO263A: Politics and Government in Canada [Sussex] Wilfrid Laurier University Fall 2023 Instructor : Dr. Christopher G. Anderson E-mail : canderson@wlu.ca Lectures: Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30-6:50; Schlegel Building (SB) 106 Labs: Wednesday 10:30-11:20 am (occasional); Dr. Alvin Woods Building (DAWB) 2-106 Office : Dr. Alvin Woods Building (DAWB) 4-128 and Zoomland Office hours : Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00-10:00 am (or by appointment) Course Description The relationship between Politics and Government in Canada is vital but complicated. Government – with its ideas, institutions, practices, principles and processes – is a primary mechanism through which Politics operates. Sometimes, Politics and Government exist in a mutually productive relationship, supporting and bolstering one another; at other times, however, they work in conflict. For the relationship to work well, some degree of knowledge and trust is crucial – features that seem to be increasingly in short supply. Moreover, the Canadian system contains elements that often sit in inescapable tension with one another. Notably, Canada’s essential status as a colonial settler state not only raises pressing human rights questions but challenges the very nature and scope of the state’s authority. Through this course, with its primary focus on the national level, you will become familiar with crucial debates concerning how well the Canadian political system functions and explore ideas about how it could perhaps function better. In addition, we will consider some of its seemingly inherent limitations. This will require that you develop an under standing of the system’s historical , intellectual and legal foundations as well as an appreciation of ways in which such debates arise in and influence contemporary Politics and Government in Canada. You will also have opportunities to display your understanding of – and improve your ability to express and engage with ideas about – core components of the Canadian political system. The easiest way to struggle in this course is to not attend lectures and labs. Unless you attend regularly, you will find it difficult to know how to approach the material in – and will not

2 receive information that moves beyond – the textbook and readings. You will also miss important explanations concerning assignments. Lectures and labs can be places where some of the most significant learning takes place at university if you come prepared to listen and participate. Course Objectives By the end of this course, you should be able to: • Identify core ideas and institutions in the Canadian political system and describe important practices and processes through which they operate and relate to one another; • Explain the principles that animate the Canadian parliamentary system, and differentiate them from those that define the American political system; • Understand the functions and evolution of these ideas, institutions, practices, principles and processes, and consider how they might continue to evolve and be improved; • Appreciate how these ideas, institutions, practices, principles and processes shape contemporary political issues and debates in Canada; • Express your ideas to a higher standard than when you started the course; and, • Undertake all of the above while beginning to recognize some of the ways in which the country ’ s status as a colonial settler state shapes the very nature of Politics and Government in Canada. Required Texts The required text for this course is Patrick Malcolmson, Richard Myers, Gerald Baier and Thomas M.J. Bateman, The Canadian Regime: An Introduction to Parliamentary Government in Canada [7th edition] (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2021). It is available through the Laurier bookstore. In addition, it will be accessible through the library reserves. Other required material will be available online. Most weeks you will be expected to study one textbook chapter plus some short, additional material (there may be excerpts of longer works or newspaper articles, for example), so give some thought to when and how you will cover the material assigned so that you can best learn from it individually and contribute to class learning collectively. The optimal approach is to read and study the material before the week for which it is assigned, taking notes as you go along (summarizing information in your own words in a separate document alongside key quotes, and not simply

3 highlighting the text). Of course, life sometimes does not facilitate the pursuit of optimal approaches and so expect that some weeks this will be easier than others. What is important is that you (a) do what you can under the conditions in which you operate, (b) know when and how you are getting off track, (c) think about how you can get back on track and (d) talk to your classmates, our Teaching Assistant and/or me for guidance and support. Being a student is not about being perfect but about putting in as honest an effort as and when you can, and learning/adjusting as you go along. If you can keep up with the reading and other assigned material with a fair degree of consistency, then you will understand and remember the lectures much more effectively. As a result, you will save time in the long term (especially when studying for quizzes and the final) and perform better overall in the course. Course Evaluation Assignment In-Class Exercises (10) First In-Class Test Second In-Class Test Critical Response Paper 1 Critical Response Paper 2 Final Exam Due Date Occasional, Weeks 3-12 September 21 (Week 3) October 17 (Week 6) November 7 (Week 9) November 30 (Week 12) TBA [Exam period] Percent Course Grade 10/100 10/100 15/100 15/100 20/100 30/100 You can read announcements and download documents (such as assignment guidelines and readings) through MyLearningSpace [MLS] (https://mylearningspace.wlu.ca/). The News section will be especially important in ensuring that we are all on track so make sure to check it regularly. You can also use (and are encouraged to use) MLS to communicate with one another – to exchange ideas, solicit information, arrange study groups, etc. Please note: Your TA and I do not check communications sent through MLS and therefore the most effective way to get in touch with us is our Laurier e-mail address. In case of technical difficulties with MLS, you should alert me but contact myLS@wlu.ca without delay.

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4 In-Class Exercises (10 percent) Your engagement with course material will be furthered through ten in-class exercises [ICEs]. These occur on an occasional basis and in a variety of formats. Their primary purpose is to allow you to assess and deepen your understanding of course material. There are ten counted ICEs in all, each worth one percent of your overall course mark. It is not possible to make up a missed ICE for credit but adjustments will be made for valid and appropriately documented absences. In-Class Tests (10 + 15 percent) The First In-Class Test (worth 10 percent of your course grade) will take place on September 21 (Week 3) and will focus on core ideas that define the Canadian Regime; the Second In-Class Test (worth 15 percent of your course grade) will take place on October 17 (Week 6) and will focus on Responsible Government in Canada. You will be provided with a clear understanding of the scope of the relevant material in advance. Critical Response Papers (15 + 20 percent) Wherever you end up in life, there will be times when you need to understand complex ideas, develop your own thoughts in response to them and express your understanding and thoughts clearly in writing to others. This is often what we mean when we talk about “critical thinking” skills. Alongside the ICEs, in-class tests and final exam, you will develop these skills through two 1,200-word maximum Critical Response Papers on assigned readings. We will spend time during our Wednesday Labs from Week Six onwards to prepare for these papers (some sessions will be required and with graded components that contribute towards your final paper submission). A final paper submission must be uploaded to the appropriate MLS Dropbox by midnight on the assigned due date. The first paper is due on November 7 (Week 9), and the second paper is due on November 30 (Week 12). A more detailed set of guidelines will be made available on MLS. Final Exam (30 percent) The final exam will take place during the exam period (December 9-21). You are all “ advised not to make travel commitments during this time period” (Faculty of Arts). The exam will focus in particular – but not exclusively – on potential areas and avenues of reform of the Canadian system. The exam will allow you to demonstrate how well you have learned course material as contained

5 in the readings, lectures and discussions throughout the term. Guidelines will be discussed in class concerning how you can best approach preparing for the exam. Course Policies As with any course you take at university – indeed, as with any task you take on in life – you will each need to decide on your approach. In the past, I have provided a list here of general and specific actions that might help you to succeed but I have learned over time that you already know that you ought to (a) think about your goals in the course, (b) plan how you could accomplish the work necessary to achieve them, (c) act upon that plan and then (d) adjust it as you progress – while not being too hard on yourself. No matter what goals you set, however, and even though all of you will face various distinct challenges as you navigate the transition from high school to university, I hope that you will each try to raise questions about not just the material that we cover in class but about the politics that you see or experience in the world around you. This will allow you to develop and refine knowledge, skills and understandings that you can use during and after your university career. You should never hesitate to get in touch if you need more individual guidance from me, and you can also turn to your TA. Two particular notes on student conduct are nonetheless worth mentioning at this stage. First, all students are expected to treat one another with respect in their interactions through this course. Respect is all the more important in a large-ish class, when it can be more difficult to express ourselves and understand each other clearly. Second, all students are responsible for becoming familiar and acting with academic integrity as defined at Laurier (for more information, see ( https://students.wlu.ca/academics/academic-integrity/index.html ), especially but not only as concerns plagiarism. You should feel free to discuss with me any questions you have on such issues at any point during the term. This course employs plagiarism software, and all written work is run through turnitin on MLS upon submission. Writing services are available to all students through the Laurier Writing Services, but you should make sure to consult with me or your TA when questions or concerns arise with respect to your work as we are in the best position to help you understand and meet assignment and course expectations. More generally, if you have any questions or concerns about the course, then do not hesitate to contact me. If you are unable to attend a class or complete an assignment on time, then you should get in touch as soon as possible so that we can discuss the matter and determine what

6 options are available. This is particularly important in a remote/virtual environment. Each case will be treated on its own merits. Please note that all cases will require appropriate documentation, whenever possible, as I need to be sure that I am being fair to all students. Weekly Schedule (including Required Readings and Key Due Dates) Week 1 – September 7 – Politics and Government in Canada ❖ Malcolmson et al., Preface and Introduction Week 2 – September 12, 14 – Canada’s Regime Principles ❖ Malcolmson et al., Chapter 1 ❖ Indigenous and Diversity Readings [MLS] Week 3 – September 19, 21 – Canada’s Regime Principles // First In-Class Test Week 4 – September 26, 28 – The Constitution ❖ Malcolmson et al., Chapter 2 Week 5 – October 3, 5 – Responsible Government in Canada ❖ Malcolmson et al., Chapter 3 Reading Week – October 10, 12 – No Lectures or Tutorials Week 6 – October 17, 18, 19 – Second In-Class Test // Federalism ❖ Malcolmson et al., Chapter 8 ❖ In-Class Test on October 17 ❖ Required Wednesday Lab – Critical Response Papers Week 7 – October 24, 25, 26 – The Crown and Its Servants ❖ Malcolmson et al., Chapter 4 ❖ Required Wednesday Lab – Critical Response Paper 1

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7 Week 8 – October 31, November 1, 2 – Parliament ❖ Malcolmson et al., Chapter 5 ❖ Wednesday Lab – Critical Response 1 ❖ Optional Wednesday Lab – Critical Response Paper 1 Week 9 – November 7, 9 – Elections ❖ Malcolmson et al., Chapter 6 ❖ Critical Response Paper 1 Due, November 7, midnight Week 10 – November 14, 15, 16 – Political Parties ❖ Malcolmson et al., Chapter 7 ❖ Required Wednesday Lab – Critical Response Paper 2 Week 11 – November 21, 22, 23 – The Judiciary ❖ Malcolmson et al., Chapter 10 ❖ Optional Wednesday Lab – Critical Response Paper 2 Week 12 – November 28, 30 – The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ❖ Malcolmson et al., Chapter 9 ❖ Critical Response Paper 2 Due, November 30, midnight Week 13 – December 5 – Course Recap ❖ Malcolmson et al., Conclusion University Statement on Intellectual Property : The educational materials developed for this course, including, but not limited to, lecture notes and slides, handout materials, examinations and assignments, and any materials posted to MyLearningSpace, are the intellectual property of the course instructor. These materials have been developed for student use only and they are not intended for wider dissemination and/or communication outside of the course. Posting or providing unauthorized audio, video, or textual

8 material of course content to third-party websites violates instructors’ intellectual property rights, and the Canadian Copyright Act. Recording lectures in any way is prohibited in this course unless specific permission has been granted by instructors. Failure to follow these instructions may be in contravention of the university’s Student Non -Academic Code of Conduct and/or Code of Academic Conduct, and can result in appropriate penalties. Participation in this course constitutes an agreement by all parties to abide by the relevant University Policies, and to respect the intellectual property of others during and after their association with Wilfrid Laurier University. General Information on Supports for Students • Good2Talk: A postsecondary school helpline that provides free, professional and confidential counselling support for students in Ontario. Call 1-866-925-5454 or through 2-1-1. Available 24-7. • Waterloo Student Food Bank : All students are eligible to use this service to ensure they’re eating healthy when overwhelmed, stressed or financially strained. Anonymously request a package online 24-7. All dietary restrictions accommodated. • Waterloo Foot Patrol: 519.886.FOOT (3668). A volunteer operated safe-walk program, available Fall and Winter daily from 6:30 pm to 3 am. Teams of two are assigned to escort students to and from campus by foot or by van. • Waterloo Student Wellness Centre: 519-884-0710, x3146. The Centre supports the physical, emotional, and mental health needs of students. Located on the 2nd floor of the Student Services Building, booked and same-day appointments are available Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm. Contact the Centre at x3146, wellness@wlu.ca or @LaurierWellness. After hours crisis support available 24/7. Call 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247).