This is an ARCHIVED version of the Kwantlen University College Calendar for
2003-2004 and is provided for historical reference only. See the current version of the
Calendar for updated information.
The on-line version of the University College Calendar is the Official version. In the event of conflict between the printed version and the online version, the on-line version will prevail.
Effective date of this course calendar information, unless otherwise indicated, is Sept. 1, 2003 to Aug. 31, 2004.
Note: All course changes and updates are shown in blue.
Political Science
These courses are reading, writing and research intensive.
Arrow indicates course will meet liberal education elective requirements for Bachelor Degrees
POLI 1110 cr-3
Ideology and Politics
Students will study the political ideologies that have played an important role in shaping the 20th century political landscape, and the have influenced the political attitudes and actions of individuals, groups and societies.
Students will examine Canadian political culture, including the challenges to Canadian unity posed by those with separatist sentiments. They will discuss regionalism, multiculturalism, cultural and linguistic duality, bilingualism, the Canadian identity, political parties and ideologies, the bureaucracy, federalism, the economy, constitutional change, and other topics of current interest. Students will be encouraged to participate in class and to discuss current affairs.
Students will study evolution of politics at the municipal level in Canada, including the local government’s management of services, labour relation, political parties, lobby groups, budgeting, policy making and media relation. They will also study the relationships between municipal governments, and Provincial and Federal government. Students will prepare research essays on given topic which will then be discussed and defended in seminar format.
Students will study basic terms and concepts relevant to the study of institutions and processes in government. They will acquire an understanding of Canadian government and politics and will compare Canada to other countries in order to further a broad understanding of the effect of politics and government on the population.
Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics
Students will be introduced to key topics in the field of comparative politics, with a special emphasis on understanding the dynamics that shape the character and quality of contemporary political systems.
Students will acquire a conceptual framework for the analysis of international politics. They will focus on the actions and the interactions of the players, e.g. states, transnational organizations, international organizations, etc., who comprise the international system. They will learn to analyze issues from different levels and perspectives.
Students will learn the basic characteristics of the Chinese civilization, the reform and revolution in the pre-Communist era, the Communist road to power, the development of Chinese politics from 1949 to the present, and China’s international relations.
Students will study the structures and processes of government in the Canadian Prairie Provinces. Students will study the role of the national government in shaping the Prairies and will analyze the theoretical approaches to federalism and regionalism. Comparisons with other Canadian provinces will enhance student awareness of different political traditions and allow them to develop reasoned judgements about politics and government in their home province as well as the country as a whole.
Students will study the concepts of rights and freedoms as they have been treated historically in Canada, and will analyze the place of rights in Canadian law prior to the entrenchment of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. They will examine the Charter and the role of the courts with emphasis on the Supreme Court, and will discuss the place of rights and courts in a democratic society. Students will study the legalization of politics and politicization of the judiciary to better understand recent developments in Canadian law and politics regarding rights.
Students will learn the theories of International Relations, from realism and liberalism to "radical" challengers such as Marxism, dependency theory, critical theory, postmodernism, and feminism. Students will explore, debate, and compare theories to develop a solid grasp of the different perspectives and to establish their own theoretical preferences.
Students will acquire a detailed factual and conceptual framework for the analysis of the process of European integration. They will study the historical origins of the European Union (EU), the institutions (structure and process) and the challenges of integration in the 21st century. Students will focus on the political, social, and economic impacts on the member states, the tension between nation-state and confederation, supra-national citizenship, democracy and regional integration, and the role and status of the EU in world affairs.
Students will be introduced to the government and politics of key Asian states. They will learn about the dynamics that shape the character and quality of contemporary Asian political systems, the underlying assumption being that "they who know only one country, know no country well." Students will enhance their understanding of political transformation in a comparative context will be enhanced by the study of different Asian countries.
Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics
Students will study, and critically analyze, the key topics in the field of comparative politics, with a special emphasis on understanding the dynamics that shape the character and quality of contemporary political systems.
Students will acquire a detailed conceptual framework for the analysis of the international political economy. They will study the dynamic interaction among states, societies, firms, and markets, at the international level. Students will focus on major “IPE” perspectives and theories, and learn to apply these to issue areas including monetary and financial relations, international trade, foreign investment, foreign debt, and development finance.
Students will study the sources and nature of major contemporary international and national conflicts, such as disputes between the great powers, rich nations and poor nations, between Third World countries and within states. Students will focus on the phenomena of war, violence, and crime in conflict.
Students will examine British Columbia’s political culture and various elements affecting it, such as immigration, native land claims, primary and secondary resource industries, federal-provincial relations, interest group behaviour, union activity, environmental issues, political parties, and government policy-making. Students will prepare research essays on given topics which will then be discussed and defended in seminar format.
Students will examine the institutions and processes associated with the federal government of the United States. They will study the executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as the party system, the electoral system and election finance. Students will analyze the policy making process in America employing both foreign and domestic examples to highlight the important roles played by pressure groups, corporations and the media.
Students will examine the history and current state of the foreign and defence policies of Canada. They will also study the following specific areas: domestic and foreign influences on policy, governmental structures affecting policy, the interplay of trade, defence and diplomatic decision-making. Students will appraise recent policy initiatives with a view to developing an understanding of Canada's place in the global community.
Students will acquire a factual and conceptual framework for the comparative analysis of transborder regions. They will analyze two types and two levels of transborders: peaceful and conflictual, and regional-continental, and local. Students will review a spectrum of transborder areas in the Americas, West and East Europe, and Asia. They will address the challenges of multi-level governance in the 21st century in the context of case studies of peaceful transborder regions. Students will analyze the political, social, economic and environmental impacts of transborder integration; the tension between nation-state, inter-governmentalism and supra-nationalism; identity, citizenship and democracy; and the status of transborders in domestic and world affairs.
Students will explore the political economy of South Asia in general and India in particular. They will also explore some of the conceptual frameworks in which the politics of the South Asian region is studied. Students will develop a critical understanding of similarities and differences in the preconceptions of these frameworks, their basic tenets and relevant insights. They will be able to address more specialized issues related to the government and politics of India within a comprehensive conceptual framework of development and modernization.
Students will acquire a factual and conceptual comparative framework of foreign policy as practiced by major powers. They will analyze the types of powers, various foreign policies, styles of foreign policy, constellation of the major powers and the target audience of the major powers. Students will review some case studies on the challenges arising to, and by, the major powers. They will explore, debate, and compare theories to develop a solid grasp of the different theoretical perspectives of the foreign policies of major powers, and will establish their own theoretical preferences.
Arrow indicates course will meet liberal education elective requirements for Bachelor Degrees
POLI 1120 cr-3
Implementation: January 2004
Implementation: Sept. 2004
Implementation: January 2004
Implementation: Sept. 2004
