POLS 2910: Canadian Democracy in a North American Context

This course outlines the basic theoretical and empirical background to understanding the institutions of the Canadian state in a North American context. A central theme of the course will be the democratic challenges faced by Canadians and the Canadian state at the turn of the twenty-first century.

Throughout the course, the quality of democratic institutions in the Canadian state will be assessed. The relative roles of the executive and the legislature, the organization of political parties and elections, and the nature and development of federalism will all be assessed in terms of the quality of democratic representation and participation. The impact of the North American context, particularly the creation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in influencing the quality of democracy will be considered as part of this overall evaluation of political institutions and processes. The course considers these themes in light of the challenges that have arisen to those decision makers’ authority by non-state actors and what new ideas regarding power and political representation have emerged.

• Dyck, Rand. 2014. Canadian Politics: Critical Approaches. 7th edition. Toronto, ON: Nelson Education.
• Mark Charlton and Paul Barker, eds. 2013. Contemporary Political Issues. 7th edition. Toronto, ON: Nelson Education.
• Journal Articles: Each of the journal articles listed can be accessed through York University library e-resources or found via the internet.

First Term Tutorial Participation: 10%
Library Assignment: 5% (14 October)
Tutorial Quiz: 5% (28 October)
First Term Paper: 15% (11 November)
First Term Exam: 15% (December Exam Period)
Total: 50%

NOTE: All papers must be handed in to your TA in TUTORIAL. Any papers handed in after tutorial will be considered late. (Please see late penalty policy listed in class policies below).

This assignment is designed to increase students’ familiarity with the library where they can find appropriate academic sources for their research paper. The assignment will be posted on-line on the moodle website and will be discussed in class early September.

A quiz will be held in tutorial. It will assess your understanding of key terms covered to date and critical to understanding the theories and practice of Canadian politics. The idea is to prepare you for the exam and give you an opportunity to practice answering questions in an exam format.

Students will select one of the articles from the list below. Students will critically assess this reading, setting out its main argument, any subordinate arguments, theoretical framework and the evidence utilized to sustain them. For more information, see the assignment sheet posted on the moodle site for the course.

Cameron, D. and J. Krikorian. 2008. Recognizing Quebec in the Constitution of Canada: Using the Bilateral Constitutional Amendment Process. University of Toronto Law Journal58 (4):389-420.

Pilon, D. 2010. The 2005 and 2009 Referenda on Voting System Change in British Columbia. Canadian Political Science Review 4(2/3): 73-89.

Slowey, G. 2001. Globalization and the Dispossessed: Impacts and Implications for First Nations in Canada. The American Review of Canadian Studies 31 (1/2): 265-281.

There will be one exam for this half of the course. The exam is designed to test the students’ knowledge and understanding of key concepts, institutions, processes, movements and individuals.

Format:
The exam will consist of two parts.

Part A – Short Answer: Terms
The first part will be a short answer section that asks students to identify, describe and state the significance of a particular term. You will be given a choice and asked to select 5 of 10 terms.

Part B – Essay: Theme
The second part will be a longer essay where students must sketch out larger debates in the field and make an argument. Tests will be based on material covered in the lecture AND the readings.

*NOTE*
Students are advised NOT to make any holiday plans (i.e. do NOT book any plane/train/bus tickets) until the exam schedule is announced because students MUST be available to write the exam on the scheduled exam date.Also, there are hundreds of terms that students will be introduced to over the course. They are urged to try to make their own list though a preliminary one is attached.  Students should tease out connections and key themes.

There are 2 readings assigned (a few weeks there is only one). Students are expected to do all the required readings and come to class/tutorial prepared to discuss the readings assigned that week.

Students are also encouraged to keep on top of current events by reading a national newspaper daily. Internet news (ex. yahoo news) is not acceptable. Recommendations include the Globe and Mail or theNational Post.

A seminar-style format, tutorial attendance and participation are a required expectation of successful performance in the course. Your tutorial leader will assess your participation grade. The tutorials are designed to assist you with class material and prepare you for conducting research and writing exams. You should not skip the tutorials because they are a key part of the course and your overall/final grade. Each week students will participate in a debate. Two (or three) students will be responsible for running the debate and providing a write up. All students are expected to participate in the debate and to come prepared to discuss the lecture topic.

TUTR 01 M 8:30 ACE 002
TUTR 02 M 8:30 ACE 010
TUTR 03 M 9:30 MC 212
TUTR 04 M 9:30 ACE 008
TUTR O5 13:30 VC 104
TUTR 06 14:30 VH 1022

Week 1: 9-Sept Course Introduction and Overview
Week 2: 16-Sept “I am Canadian”: What Does That Even Mean?
Week 3: 23-Sept Political Theory and Culture
Week 4: 30-Sept Constitutional Development I: 1867
Week 5: 7-Oct Constitutional Development II: 1982
Week 6: 14-Oct No Class: Thanksgiving Holiday
Week 7: 21-Oct The External Constitution
Week 8: 28-Oct Quebec in Canada
Week 9: 4-Nov Globalization and Social Citizenship
Week 10: 11-Nov Public Policy Making in Canada
Week 11: 18-Nov Aboriginal Politics I: Historical Context
Week 12: 25-Nov Aboriginal Politics II: Treaties, Land Claims and Governance
Week 13: 2-Dec Gender Politics and End of Term Review

Academic Integrity
The university takes very seriously infractions of academic integrity, including plagiarism, impersonation and cheating on exams. York’s policies on plagiarism can be found here. Students who are in doubt as to what constitutes plagiarism in a particular instance should consult with their TA or professor. For additional insight on the issue, see Margaret Proctor’s “How Not To Plagiarize.”

Late penalty
There will be a late penalty of 5% per day on all late papers (including weekends). All late papers must be dropped off in the drop box for the course located outside the glass doors (right beside the elevator) at the departmental office (South Ross, 6th floor). Papers will not be accepted via email or fax. Under no circumstances should papers ever be slid under office doors.

If a student falls ill, they MUST contact the instructor AND tutorial leader as soon as possible to avoid incurring late penalties. Papers simply submitted after the due date with a medical certificate attached are NOT acceptable. Consideration for late submission must be obtained from the tutorial leader.  The final decision regarding appeals and late penalties rests with the professor.

Special Needs
Students who encounter extenuating circumstances during the term that may interfere with their successful completion of exams or other course assignments should discuss the matter with their tutorial leader or course instructor as soon as possible. Students with physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in teaching style or evaluation methods, as outlined in Appendix A the Senate Policy on Students with Special Needs. They should advise the director at the earliest opportunity, so that appropriate arrangements may be with the assistance of the Office for Persons with Disabilities, the Counseling Development Centre or the Learning Disabilities Program.

Electronic Devices
The use of electronic devices- i.e. cell phones, laptop computers, cameras, etc. – is not permitted in lecture or tutorials.  While convenient, such devices can be distracting and impair the learning environment, not just for the immediate user but also for those around them.  While some students take notes on a computer others are engaged in texting, updating Facebook or using other social media.  As every student must commit to giving the course and its material their total attention, the use of electronic devices is not allowed.

CLASS Expectations and Etiquette

Readings and Participation:

• Students are expected to complete all the readings required each week and be prepared to discuss them in tutorial or raise questions in class. Active participation in tutorial is an expected component of this course.

Casual Conversations:

• Chatting, whispering, passing notes or otherwise disrupting the class are disrespectful and annoying to me and to your classmates.  Of course, occasional class-related conversation is fine, but if you feel compelled to chit-chat with your neighbour then I strongly encourage you to quietly leave class and continue your chatting elsewhere, or simply consider not coming to class.

Class Contributions:

• Sometimes courses in politics generate heated, occasionally personal, discussions in lectures and especially in tutorials.  While the teaching team encourages strongly held views to be shared, we will not tolerate personal attacks of any kind, including belittling others’ views or mannerisms.  You should be respectful of others and mindful of the potential impact of your comments.

Class Interruptions:

• Students caught interrupting the class – i.e. using computers or texting or having general conversations, etc. - will be asked to leave the classroom.

Punctuality:

• Please make every effort to arrive for lectures and tutorials on time.  Walking into class late disrupts the flow of the lecture/discussion.  Do not leave in the middle of lecture as this disturbs me and your fellow students.  A break will be given at the halfway point in each class, but if you anticipate that you cannot wait to use the washroom or otherwise must leave during class, sit near the door so you can leave with a minimum of disturbance.

Community:

• All Political Science majors should subscribe to the Department email list

A. EMAIL

What is the professor’s email address?
NO queries pertaining to class material, assignments or exams will be addressed via email. Students are ENCOURAGED to drop by and visit the professor during regularly scheduled office hours or to make an appointment.

B. ESSAYS

Key things to remember:
1) ALWAYS include a cover page that has YOUR name, the professor name, the TA name, and the title of the paper.
2) ALWAYS put page numbers
3) ALWAYS staple your paper together. Do NOT use a paper clip or other device.

Where do I hand in assignments?
Papers are due IN TUTORIAL unless otherwise specified in the course syllabus or directed by the professor.
Any paper handed in after tutorial will be considered late.

What if I hand the paper in late?
Unless a student provides medical documentation there will be a late penalty of 5% per day on all late papers (including weekends) UNLESS other arrangements have been made PRIOR to the deadline and authorized by the tutorial leader or professor.

All late papers must be dropped off in the drop box for the course located opposite the departmental office (South Ross, 6th floor).

Papers will not be accepted via email or fax – so do NOT send any papers via email or fax.

What if I need an extension?
All assignments are clearly provided in the course outline. Therefore, NO extensions will be granted UNLESS there are extenuating and important medical grounds that exist and are substantiated with the provision of a medical certificate.  Please see the professor PRIOR to the due date for this kind of consideration.   Students are expected to organize their time appropriately to ensure deadlines are met.

What if I am unhappy about the grade I receive on a paper?
If you feel that the mark you received does not reflect the quality of your work you must arrange to meet with the tutorial leader to discuss your concerns. Students that wish a reread and/or remark must submit a 1 page letter explaining the students concerns and addressing the comments provided on the paper.  Please note that grades may be raised OR lowered in a reread.

What if my computer loses my essay or doesn’t print?
It is your responsibility to safeguard yourself against computer or printer failures.  The easiest way to do this is to backup your work onto an external disk on a regular basis. This step will protect against hard disk crashes or general computer failures, and will make it easy to transfer your file to another computer should your printer fail.  Computer failures, hard disk crashes, and printer breakdowns will not be accepted as valid excused for late essays.

C: TESTS

IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU PUT YOUR NAME AND YOUR TA NAME ON ALL YOUR DOCMENTS OR TESTS OR PAPERS.

What if I miss the test?
There will be only one make-up test scheduled and students are REQUIRED to get PERMISSION from the professor to write. The student must be available to write when it is rescheduled in January. Failure to do so will result in a mark of 0 for this component of the course.

What if I get sick?
To write a makeup test, you must contact the instructor within 72 hours or 3 days of the exam AND medical note must be provided.
YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR DOCTOR FILL OUT THE YORK UNIVERSITY ATTENDING PHYSICIAN STATEMENT WHICH CAN BE FOUND AT:

Attending Physician's Statement

THIS FORM SHOULD THEN BE PRESENTED TO THE PROFESSOR AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY (i.e. consider having a friend or relative drop it off to the Professor at the Department of Political Science Office on campus).

Any student who fails to contact the professor or provide a medical note within this period will not be considered eligible to write the make-up exam – so do not wait longer than 3 days before notifying us!

No make-up consideration will be given to students whose travel/holiday plans conflict with tests. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are free and available to write the test during the scheduled time.