POL491H1S L0101

Graduate Course Code: POL2103H1S L0101

Topics in Canadian Politics II

Canadian Federalism, from a Comparative Perspective

Themes

This course treats Canada as a key case within the comparative study of federations. The particular focus is on the management of diversity and conflict, analyzing the socio-demographic and institutional aspects of Canada through the lens of applicable federal theory and policy. The goal is to understand Canada through this lens, but also to reflect back on the broader theory and policy discussed.

The course is divided into two sections. The first introduces core elements of comparative federal studies, linking this to the different ways we can understand Canada and the general theory and policy related to the use of federation to manage diversity and conflict. The second section turns to investigate three key elements of managing diversity via federation in Canada, and elsewhere. These three elements are: 1) how power is distributed in a federation; 2) the role of the federal arbiter in managing conflict; and, 3) how minority groups are represented in federal institutions.

Texts

TBA

Format and Requirements

One two-hour seminar per week. Course requirements: participation (20%); presentation (20%); research project (proposal - 15%, paper - 45%).

Prerequisites

POL214H1 or POL214Y1 or POL215H5 or POL216H5 or POL224H1 or POL224Y1/POLB50Y3; 1.0 other POL credit in Canadian politics. See the Department's website http://politics.utoronto.ca/undergraduate/courses/fallwinter-timetable/ for POL courses by area group.