Syllabus POLS101 Wiener 2023

POLS-1010-1: Introductory Politics I
2023 Fall Semester: 6 September to 6 December

Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
McDougall Hall, 243 Lecture
Professor: Dr Jarrod Wiener, BA, MA, LLM, PhD

Email: [email protected]
Cell: 902-388-1425
Office hours: By Appointment
Calendar Description
This course is a comprehensive introduction to politics. Initially, students explore the
nature of political activity and basic concepts such as political culture, the nation-state,
the various roles of government, and the international system. The course examines
differences among democratic, authoritarian, and totalitarian political systems just as it
introduces students to such contemporary ideologies as liberalism, conservatism,
socialism and nationalism. Where appropriate, the course will emphasize Canadian
Government and Politics.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, the successful learner will be able to:
• Think critically about their own ideas on politics, and the political positions of
others presented to them, understanding that all ideas are contested.
• Be critically aware of the role of facts and values in political discourse, and be
self-reflective and analytical when making statements about politics.
• Reflect critically on the nature of "Politics", as an academic discipline,
appreciating that its foundations, concepts, ideas, theories, and methods, and even
the very purpose of the discipline, are contested.
• Understand, distinguish, compare, and contrast basic concepts in Politics, such as
power, authority, legitimacy, political culture, the nation-state, democracy,
bureaucracy, the various roles of government, and the international system,
among others.
• Understand the contours and differences among the major contemporary political
ideologies.
• Explain and understand the key debates and core concepts in Politics, being able
to appreciate the theoretical, empirical, and normative dimensions those debates.
• Understand the differences between major political systems.
Textbook
The lectures draw from a very wide literature, and references are provided throughout.
Therefore, no single text is used for the lectures. However, a very good introductory text
is this one below, and the slides for each chapter are lodged on Moodle to use as a study
aid.
Robert Garner, Peter Ferdinand, Stephanie Lawson, and David B. MacDonald,

Introduction to Politics, Second Canadian Edition, Oxford University Press
Canada., 2017.
Method of Instruction
This course is delivered through interactive lectures, which are designed to relate
information, and to enable students to build knowledge about Politics. This is achieved
by encouraging students to explore concepts, theories, and empirical cases; to expose and
question key assumptions and debates; and to stimulate their critical analysis.
Student participation is critical. These lectures are not in intended to encourage passive
listening by students. These lectures are called "interactive", because your job is not to
just sit back and listen. Your job is to interrupt with questions, interject with your ideas,
and assert yourselves with reasoned analysis and debate. Questions, comments, and
ideas are not only welcome, but encouraged, and expected.
Therefore, the lectures are intended to be catalysts to facilitate understanding, to

stimulating thinking, to arouse interest, and to motivate further inquiry and discussion.
Active participation is therefore encouraged, as students interject, discuss, and debate
issues presented.
Alternative Online Format:
In the event that the University administration requires classes to switch to a remote
format, the course will continue online using Moodle and Blackboard Collaborate.
The Moodle Course Page will be the central location for materials (syllabus, slides,
recorded video, etc). Each scheduled class will meet using Blackboard Collaborate for
real time, in person meetings. There is a link to each of these in-person sessions for each
class in Moodle.
CALENDAR
DATES TOPIC READING
Th 7 September Introductions, Overview &

Expectations
T 12 September What is "Politics"? Introduction
Th 14 September Politics and 'the State' Chapter 1
T 19 September Politics and 'the State' Chapter 1
Th 21 September Political Power, Authority, Chapter 2
and the State
T 26 September Political Power, Authority, Chapter 2
and the State
Th 28 September Democracy Chapter 3
T 3 October Democracy Chapter 3
Th 5 October Freedom, and Justice I Chapter 4
T 10 October Semester Break – No class
Th 12 October Semester Break – No class
T 17 October Mid-Term Review
Th 19 October Mid-Term Exam
T 24 October Freedom, and Justice II Chapter 4
Th 26 October Political Ideologies I Chapter 5
T 31 October Political Ideologies II Chapter 6
Th 2 November Political Ideologies III Chapter 6
T 7 November Institutions, Laws, Chapter 7
Constitutions, and Federalism
Th 9 November Institutions, Laws, Chapter 8
Constitutions, and Federalism
T 14 November Legislatures & Legislators Chapter9
Th 16 November Bureaucracies, Policymaking Chapter 10
and Governance
T 21 November Bureaucracies, Policymaking Chapter 10
and Governance
Th 23 November Voting, Elections, and Chapter 11
Political Parties
T 28 November Civil Society, Interest Groups, Chapter 12
and the Media in Canada
Th 30 November International Politics Chapters 14 & 15
T 5 December Conclusion, Summary &
Recap
Assessment
It is a principle of the evaluation that there will be numerous means of assessment, to

provide fairness in accommodating for individual aptitudes.
Your final grade will be based on a Mid-Term Exam worth 35% of your final grade, a
Final Exam worth 45% of your final grade, Participation worth 20% of your final grade.
Assessment Weighting
Mid-Term Exam 35% This will take the form of a 75 minute exam during
class time.
Final Exam 45% This will take the form of a take-home essay-based
exam scheduled during the examination period.
Participation 20% This includes attending, and also demonstrating that

you are prepared by engaging in discussions in class
Discussions.
TOTAL 100%
To Pass the Course
To pass the course, you must achieve a grade of at least 50% overall.
Attendance and Class Participation
You will get the most out of this course if you:
1. Prepare for class by reading the assigned chapter(s)

2. Attend class
3. Participate actively in class discussions.
Twenty per-cent of your grade will be reflected, to a considerable degree, by your

attendance and by the quality of your in-class participation.
You are expected to complete the assigned readings PRIOR to class so that our time
together can be spent in meaningful discussions and applications of the material.
Preparation involves coming to class ready to discuss the materials for that day. During
class you will have the opportunity to ask questions on either the case being reviewed or
the material within the chapter outlined.
** The aim is to make this course focused on your questions and not just a set of
presentation slides **
The questions provided by you and your contributions will count as part of your
participation mark, so come prepared! It is not required to submit questions prior to
class; however, coming prepared to discuss the cases is critical.
Reading before class is only half of the preparation you need, you should also analyze
(think critically about) the material so that you come ready to contribute your analysis,
ideas and suggestions to your group work and in class discussions.
Class participation grades will depend not just on the frequency of class participation, but
also its quality. This includes the ability to form arguments and draw out implications,
and generally move discussion forward.
Class participation grades will be given for all students on a ranking from 0 to 20, on the
following basis:
0 = Did not attend

5 = Attended infrequently, or attended frequently but remained silent
10 = Attended frequently and had reasonable participation in class discussions but of
quality showing poor preparation.
15 = Attended most classes and had good involvement in class discussion, with some
good points made
20 = Attended most classes and had very active involvement in class discussion, high-
quality points made.
Academic Expectations
Students in this course and in all classes at UPEI are expected to complete their course
work, assignments and exams with a high level of honesty and integrity. Academic
dishonesty on the part of a student, such as plagiarism, cheating, falsification and
fabrication of documents and records, unauthorized collaboration, unauthorized use of
recording devices, submitting a piece of work from another course for credit, or aiding
other students’ academic dishonesty, will be subject to academic sanctions as outlined in
the UPEI Academic Regulation 20. For more detailed information about academic
dishonesty and how such incidents will be handled by your instructors and by the
Institution you are encouraged to familiarize yourself with the content at
http://www.upei.ca/programsandcourses/regulation-20-academic-dishonesty. Students
committing these offenses are subject to penalty ranging from a “0” on the assignment or
test, to an “F” for failing the course. Furthermore, the Dean’s and the Registrar’s Offices
will be notified of any instances of academic dishonesty and will obtain the respective
documentation for their records.
Accessibility
If you are a student with a suspected or documented disability who anticipates needing
accommodations in the course, please contact Cathy Rose [email protected], Accessibility
Services Coordinator at the Webster Centre for Teaching and Learning.

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POLS-1010-1: Introductory Politics I

2023 Fall Semester: 6 September to 6 December

Professor: Dr Jarrod Wiener, BA, MA, LLM, PhD

Robert Garner, Peter Ferdinand, Stephanie Lawson, and David B. MacDonald,

Therefore, the lectures are intended to be catalysts to facilitate understanding, to

Alternative Online Format:

DATES TOPIC READING

Th 7 September Introductions, Overview &

It is a principle of the evaluation that there will be numerous means of assessment, to

Participation 20% This includes attending, and also demonstrating that

To Pass the Course

Attendance and Class Participation

You will get the most out of this course if you:

1. Prepare for class by reading the assigned chapter(s)

Twenty per-cent of your grade will be reflected, to a considerable degree, by your

0 = Did not attend

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