Concordia Course Web Sites

The study of public policy is concerned with politics and power, understanding how government decisions (and non-decisions) are made and how these decisions, in turn, shape social and political life. The question of who shapes policy and how is therefore critically important for students of public policy to analyze and debate. In this course, through a series of case studies, we will examine the role of advocacy groups in a range of campaigns with public policy implications at the provincial, federal and sometimes international levels. With an emphasis on the urban scale, we explore how groups take on collective projects and critically assess both the benefits and challenges advocacy groups bring to the policy process and to democratic life. Students are encouraged to pursue their own areas of policy interest through classroom discussions, additional readings, and written course work.

This course description is adapted from a syllabus designed by Prof. Frank Ohemeng. Some of his readings are included as optional, for those who would like to explore further.

At the end of the course, students are expected to:

·       Identify and describe key concepts in the study of advocacy groups and public policy

·       Understand something about how power works and how advocacy groups build counter-power.

·       Appreciate how advocacy groups behave over time, and adjust strategies and tactics to changing circumstances

·      Through the lens of case studies, know something about the strategies and tactics of advocacy groups, and be able to extrapolate how they attempt to shape public policy choices

·      With an emphasis on the municipal level, learn something about Montreal groups and their history

·       Develop skills in listening, reading, thinking, and assessment

·       Communicate findings in written form

POLI 429 (Winter 2025) - Political Socialization in Canadian and Comparative Perspectives

POLI 683/A (Fall 2025): SPEC TOPICS IN P.P. & A.

Development Policy and Administration

This course provides an introduction to development policy and administration by focusing on a set of substantive issues. For purposes of this course, development policy and administration refer both to public policy and administration to promote various notions of social, economic, and administrative development, and to the development of policy and administration in low and middle-income countries.  

This "edition" includes sections on development aid, the political economy of development, and climate change, including a session focused on energy transitions. 

PSYC 325/01 (Fall 2025): FUNDS OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

PSYC 325/03 (Winter 2025): FUNDS OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

PSYC 325/51 (Fall 2025): FUNDS OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

PSYC 428/01 (Winter 2025): SOCIAL & CULT ADV ISSUES

PSYC 428/03 (Winter 2025): SOCIAL & CULT ADV ISSUES

PSYC 444/01 (Fall 2025): HYPNOSIS AND DISSOCIATION

RELI 312/A (Winter 2025): JUSTICE & SOCIAL CONFLICT

RELI 6007/A (Fall 2025): REGIONAL & INTERCULTURAL STUDIES: RELIGION AND POLITICS IN ASIA

Abstract

This seminar is designed to explore the relationships (historical, socio-cultural, economics, and others) between religion and politics. It consists in exploratory readings and discussions on different themes such as institutionalization, sponsorship, contestation, rulership, law, class, and others. The goal is to examine the various aspects of human endeavours and see how religion, beliefs, and religious practices shape and modify group and individual behaviors. What are the functions of religion in society? What are political power and religious power? What are their modus operandi? How does religion negotiate with politics? Which one of these dominates? How? When? And why? The class will consist in discussion of key readings together with students’ presentations on their own research, together with critical presentation of some readings and responses.

This particular course is designed to explore the two models of governance that dominate Asia since at least the turn of the first millennium.

Rationale

The objective of this course is to examine the Confucian model and the Indian Dharmasastra models that were exported respectively to Japan, Vietnam and Korea (China), and to Burma, Thailand, Cambodia (Kmer), and Indonesia from India. Our goal is to make the student familiar with the cultural background which provided the ideological and administrative basis supporting the creation of some pre-modern Asian polities. Many of these longstanding attitudes continue to be sustained with regard to ‘religion’ which does not recognizes the post-modern ways of Western paradigm and concepts. The relationship between state and supported religious institutions (such as state cults, Buddhism, and Indian Saivism for instance) versus religious movements that actively opposed established governments or other competing politically motivated religious groups (Catholic Christianity in China, Sunni Islam in Indonesia, Buddhist reactionary movements in Burma, and fundamentalist Hinduism in India). Although the areas covered is rather wide and diverse, this course will serve to further research based on different regions of Asia. Regions and time periods will vary according to the instructor’s speciality.

Format

This class is for upper undergraduates and graduate students. Therefore, it follows the seminar format where students will actively engage in research and critical appraisals of the readings, and in-class discussions. Each student will engage in research on one's field of inquiry (ex.: political ideology; religion and sponsorships; theology and political debates; divine right to rule; institutionalisation of religion; political models and ideological/theological/religious worldviews, etc.). During this class, students will complete set tasks relating to their research paper (ex.: topic; provisionary title; abstract; bibliography; methodology, etc.) and will participate in the discussions on the readings and in-class presentations. Participation is mandatory. No usage of AI is allowed in the writings of research papers, bibliographies, critical reports, and other assignments.

This course examines the historical, political, and social dimensions of immigration policies in Quebec and Canada. It explores the evolution of immigration policy from pre-Confederation to contemporary times, highlighting the interplay of national and provincial interests, especially Quebec’s unique approach to immigration. The course addresses critical issues such as multiculturalism and integration models, the role public opinion in shaping immigration policies, and growing contemporary concerns over the capacity of Canada and Quebec to integrate newcomers, encouraging students to analyze the impacts of immigration on Canadian society.