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POLI 101 - The Government of Canada
Course Code:
POLI 101


Calendar Description:
An examination of the institutions and processes of Canadian government. Analysis will be made of the Canadian Social Structure and political culture; parties; pressure groups and social movements, the legislature, executive and judicial aspects of government; and federation.


Total Hours: 45
Lecture Hours: 45

Total Weeks

This course is offered online:


Non-Course Pre-Requisites:


Course Content:

-What politics in general is, and the history of the Canadian government
-We will talk about the Context of government, and the context of politics in Canada
-We will learn about the Constitutional framwork, and the British North America Act
-We will study the concept of federalism,
-How has Canada been affected by Nationalism and Regionalism?
-What is the Formal and the Political Exectutive
-What is the function of the Parliament, and what is the differences between a minority and a majority government
-The course will explore how laws and bills are passed
-We will study the Public Administration, the democratic control of the bureaucracy
-We will learn about the Administration of Justice
-The course will discuss Canada's political parties and interest groups
-We will talk about the differences between the Canadian political system and that of the United States
-We will learn about the historical and present election system
-The course will end by looking at ethical issues in Canadian government and politics

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

- explain the historical background of the Canadian federal and provincial governments.
- explain how the Constitution has changed over time, and how amendments can be made
- identify and explain the differences between Canada's major political parties
- identify the different components, that make up the Canadian government and their respective responsibilities.
- analyze the differences between a minority and a majority government, and how this affects the Parliament
- describe the processes that lead from an idea to laws, treaties, and inter-provincial agreements
- discuss and analyze the differences between the Canadian and American systems of government
- be able to explain the context of the Canadian
- describe he constitutional framework
- identify the meaning of federalism
- describe the difference between nationalism vs. regionalism
- explain the role of the Executive office
- analyze he history and function of the parliament
- describe the role of Public Administration
- explain the function of the Justice system
- describe Political parties and interest groups
- explain the process of elections in Canada
- analyze ethics in government and politics
- evaluate arguments put forward by political scientists weighing the evidence they present and making judgments about the strength of their arguments.
- demonstrate how knowledge in political structures enables an understanding of current issues in Canadian politics
- conduct academic research, and present findings in effective academic language
- demonstrate a willingness to listen in a courteous manner to opposing arguments, while still voicing individual ideas


Grading System:

Grading Weight:
Final Exam: 25 %
Quizzes and Tests: 20 %
Assignments: 30 %
Participation: 10 %
Other: 5 %

Number of Assignments:

Nature of Participation:
D2L discussions on assigned readings

Writing Assignments:

One citation assignment, one essay proposal, one research essay

Specify Other (if applicable):
Group presentation

Percentage of Individual Work:  95

Percentage of Group Work: 5

Course Offered in Other Programs: Yes

Other Programs:
Humanities Certificate, Associate of Arts Degree