POLI 309 provides an introduction to the basic structures and processes of government and politics in Canada and will help the student describe, explain, analyze, and assess contemporary issues and events in Canada.
Outline
Part 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Studying Canadian Government and Politics
Unit 2: Setting the Context: Governing in a Global World
Part 2: The Societal Context
Unit 3: Political Culture, Political Socialization, and Canadian Political Identity
Unit 4: Regional, Economic, and Class Cleavages
Unit 5: Indigenous Peoples
Unit 6: French Canada and the Quebec Question
Unit 7: Gender, Multiculturalism, and Representation
Part 3: Governing
Unit 8: The Constitutional Context
Unit 9: The Parliamentary System
Unit 10: The Executive
Unit 11: The Bureaucracy
Unit 12: The Judiciary
Part 4: Linking People to Government
Unit 13: Civil Society: Interest Groups, Social Movements, and the Voluntary Sector
Unit 14: Political Parties
Unit 15: Elections and the Electoral System
Evaluation
To receive credit for POLI 309, you must complete the following assignments and the final exam. You must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent) and a grade of D (50 percent) or better on the final examination. The weighting of the assignments is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1: Discussion Postings
10%
Assignment 2: Short Essay
20%
Assignment 3: Annotated Bibliography
10%
Assignment 4: Research Essay
25%
Final Exam
35%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Cochrane, C., Blidook, K., & Dyck, R. (2020). Canadian politics: Critical approaches (9th ed.). Top Hat Monocle. (Online)
Bickerton, J., & Gagnon, A-G. (Eds.). (2019). Canadian politics (7th ed.). University of Toronto Press. (Print)
Other Materials
All other materials are available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive creditfor the POLI 309 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent)on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.