Politics & Society in the US and Canada 2100-ERASMUS-PSCA
This course offers a comparative exploration of political institutions, social structures, and public life in the United States and Canada. Students will examine the historical foundations, constitutional frameworks, and contemporary challenges shaping both countries. Special attention will be given to the similarities and differences in federalism, political culture, Indigenous policy, multiculturalism, healthcare, civil rights, and the role of religion and media in society. Students will also analyze how each country navigates globalization, populism, and shifting democratic norms.
The course encourages critical engagement with political narratives and aims to equip students with the analytical tools to understand the unique and overlapping elements of governance and society in North America.
Canada has been a close American ally. It was the US that the whole world was talking about and Canada has been the "little brother tagging along".
Now that the situation has changes is essential to learn also about Canadian history and politics.
This course aims at showing students how to differentiate between the history and politics of the two biggest Northern American countries.
This course will tackle the following subjects:
1. US vs. Canada - why we know everything about US and nothing about Canada
2. Concise history of the US and Canada
3. Political systems - similarities and differences
4. Indigenious people in the US and Canada
5. Multiculturalism in Canada and the US
6. Canadian Culture and Arts
7. American Culture and Arts
8. Contemporary society in Canada
9. Contemporary society in the US
10. Will Canada become the 51st American state? / Short test
Koordynatorzy przedmiotu
Efekty kształcenia
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Identify key features of the political systems in the US and Canada, including the constitution, branches of government, and electoral systems.
Compare how societal values and political culture influence policy and governance in both countries.
Analyze the impact of colonialism and Indigenous policy on contemporary society and politics.
Evaluate the role of multiculturalism, immigration, and identity in shaping civic life.
Explain key policy differences between the US and Canada in areas such as healthcare, education, and social welfare.
Interpret the role of media, religion, and civil society in democratic engagement.
Debate major contemporary challenges, such as polarization, populism, environmental politics, and transnational cooperation.
Apply comparative political analysis to real-world case studies and policy issues in both nations.
Kryteria oceniania
Attendance and participation in class - 40%
Presentation - 40%
Final test - 20%
Praktyki zawodowe
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Literatura
Brooks, S. (2021). Canadian Democracy: An Introduction. Oxford University Press.
Ginsberg, B., Lowi, T. J., Weir, M., Tolbert, C. J., & Spitzer, R. J. (2023). We the People: An Introduction to American Politics. Norton.
Lipset, S. M. (1990). Continental Divide: The Values and Institutions of the United States and Canada. Routledge.
Kymlicka, W. (2015). Multicultural Citizenship: A Liberal Theory of Minority Rights. Oxford University Press.
Ignatieff, M. (2012). Fire and Ashes: Success and Failure in Politics. Harvard University Press.
King, T. (2012). The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America. Anchor Canada.
Skocpol, T. (2003). Diminished Democracy: From Membership to Management in American Civic Life. University of Oklahoma Press.
Adams, M. (2017). Could It Happen Here? Canada in the Age of Trump and Brexit. Simon & Schuster Canada.
And other articles posted on Google Classroom.
Więcej informacji
Dodatkowe informacje (np. o kalendarzu rejestracji, prowadzących zajęcia, lokalizacji i terminach zajęć) mogą być dostępne w serwisie USOSweb: