Canadian Government

This course will introduce students to core concepts in the study of Canadian politics, including Canada’s historical foundations, its current institutional context, and key political actors. The first half of the course will focus on Canada’s governing institutions and significant political actors including the courts, Parliament, the electoral system, political parties, voters, and social movements. In the second half of the course, we will explore the social and political forces that shape politics in Canada including regionalism, federalism, colonialism, and multiculturalism. Students will consider the complex relationships between social forces and Canada’s political institutions.