PSC 345 “Canadian Politics”

Fall 2003

 

MWF 1-1:50 pm                                                                                                                           Munroe Eagles

101 Baldy Hall                                                                                                                           423 Park Hall

Office Hrs. – M&W 2-4:30pm                                                                                                         645-2251 ext. 423

                     or by arrangement                                                                                                eagles@buffalo.edu

 

The Course:

                This course introduces students to the politics and government of America’s ‘neighbor to the north’.  As the US’s largest trading partner, the Canadian political experience holds special relevance for students of political science in America.  The countries share many similarities (both are advanced capitalist economies, liberal democracies with federal regimes, etc.) but equally there are important differences.  Most notably, Canada’s colonial experience with Britain is much different than that of America. It did not overthrow the British parliamentary tradition through revolution as did the US, but it has modified the British model by adopting a written constitution, a bill of rights, and a federal structure.  For these reasons, Canadian politics offers a fascinating point of comparison with our American political experience.

 

                Due to my commitments to participate in two conferences (American Political Science Association and the Association of Canadian Studies in the United States), there will be no classes on Friday, August 29th and Friday, November 21st.

 

Readings:

                Stephen Brooks, Canadian Democracy:  An Introduction, Oxford University Press, 2000

                (pbk.)

 

Requirements:

                Students are expected to be regular in their class attendance.  Exams are closed book and will be scheduled during regular class meetings.  Final grades will be assigned according to your performance on the following 3 items:

 

                a) Mid-term examination  Friday, October 17th - (35%)

                b) Final examination  - Monday, December 8th - (35%)

                c)  Research Essay (10-15 pgs) -  due Monday, December 1st, in class - NO EXTENSIONS!  -

 (30%)

 

Readings/Topics:

 

1.    Historical and Cultural Foundations of Canadian Politics

                                Brooks, Chapters 2-3

 

2.  The Evolving Canadian Constitution:  Federalism and Charter Politics

                                Brooks, Chapters 4-5

                               

3.  The Structures of Canadian Government:  Parliament, Executive, and Bureaucracy

                                Brooks, Chapter 6

 

4.  Linking Government and Society:  Parties, Elections, and Pressure Groups*

                                Brooks, Chapters 7-9

 

5. Issues in Canadian Political Life

Brooks, Chapters 10-12

 

Research Essay – Important Notes:

 

While this assignment will be discussed in more detail during a class meeting early in the semester, there are three specific requirements to note. 

 

1)      All papers should have a title that ends with a “?”. 

2)      Second, all papers must demonstrate research beyond the required reading, and they should be fully documented by footnotes and bibliographic references. While internet sources may be appropriate to include, they are NOT sufficient. All students should consult academic (scholarly) journals and books (see me if you have any doubt whatsoever about this requirement). Please see me in my office early in the semester if you’d like to discuss a topic, of if you’d like some suggestions. 

3)      All papers must be submitted in two formats, one a double-spaced paper copy AND an electronic version on floppy disk (or submitted as an email attachment to eagles@buffalo.edu). This is essential as I will submit any papers I suspect of being plagiarized, in whole or in part, for electronic scrutiny at a plagiarism-detection service.