Overview
The primary aim of POLI 390 is to introduce the study of Canadian federalism and explain the relationship between the federal and provincial governments. Federalism is a complicated and sometimes frustrating form of government. Yet the Canadian version of federalism is remarkably innovative, adaptive, and accommodating. Despite all predictions to the contrary, Canadian federalism continues to endure, although the efficiency and effectiveness of our federal arrangement is increasingly being called into question.
Outline
Political Science 390: Canadian Federalism is composed of twelve units as follows:
- Unit 1: Introduction: The Study of Federalism
- Unit 2: The Origins of Canadian Federalism
- Unit 3: Regionalism and Province Building
- Unit 4: The Drive for Self-Determination: Quebec Nationalism
- Unit 5: The Drive for Self-Determination: Indigenous Self-Government
- Unit 6: Canada’s Constitutional Odyssey: Patriation and After
- Unit 7: The Courts and Judicial Review
- Unit 8: Executive Federalism
- Unit 9: Fiscal Federalism
- Unit 10: Federalism and the Welfare State: Health Care and the Social Union
- Unit 11: Federalism and Economic Policy
- Unit 12: The Evolution of Canadian Federalism: The Presence of the Past and the Prospects for the Future
Evaluation
To receive credit for POLI 390, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination and an overall course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). You must complete two quizzes, three written assignments, and a supervised final exam.
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: Telephone Quizzes (worth 5% each) | 10% |
| Assignment 2: Two Short Essays (worth 10% each) | 20% |
| Assignment 3: Annotated Bibliography | 10% |
| Assignment 4: Major Research Essay | 30% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| 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
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Béland, D., Lecours, A., Marchildon, G., Mou, H., & Olfert, M. R. (2017). Fiscal federalism and equalization policy in Canada: Political and economic dimensions. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Brown, D., Bakvis, H., & Baier, G. (2019). Contested federalism: Certainty and ambiguity in the Canadian federation (2nd ed.). Toronto: Oxford University Press.
Watts, R. L. (2008). Comparing federal systems (3rd ed.). Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press.
Other Materials
All other materials for this course can be found 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 credit for the POLI 390 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Challenge for credit course registration form