POLA02 the Final Exam WS26

I’m curious to know what your thoughts were for the POLA02 final exam with T. Soremi.

I thought it was unfortunate that the mcq’s were worth 40% of the exam.

The short answer questions were poorly prepared. I truly wish there was just an essay question. I always excel with that.

Skip to the last paragraph if you don’t wanna read my answers below

I chose the 3rd question, which I’m sure it was supposed to discuss week 10, but I answered it with week eight material, which was something to the effect of explain the factors and describe the factors that allowed a Canadian government to implement a price on carbon and tax pollution. I didn’t have much to say for this didn’t really pay attention to week 10, mostly studied week 8 and 9. But I felt like I was actually harder to answer. I explained three course concepts that were implicitly reflected in the 2020 climate change plan, the first being the free problem, free writer, problem, which the report said every Canadian has a responsibility to act on climate change. The second one being inequality, relating to the low income households facing the most cost burden comparison to corporate giants that emit fossil fuels. And the third point being the prisoners dilemma. I briefly mentioned how the plan implicitly refers to the aversion of this dilemma by considering the future. Which is a way to challenge outcome of climate change.

I also chose the first question, which I think asked to explain how groups form between group theory and the logic of collective action in Canada mitigating climate change.

I defined a couple things in this answer. Particularly the state, how groups form like a four step process, but I didn’t really explain it in the fourth step process way. Just kind of into one sentence. Then I went on to say how actors like states take on a rational assessment of the cost and benefit benefits. Noting that no motivation to contribute to climate action if there’s no incentive = the logic of collective action. Also discussed. also discussed again the emergence of the free rider problem, and how large groups are less effective in climate action. Briefly noted how the US is inconsistent in climate binding commitments as one of the heaviest global north contributors to fossil fuels. I tried to touch on the asymmetries, but struggled here, so I said sort of said that the political system structure of the US like elections create a variation in response to climate mitigation.

What would you grade me divas?

Honestly, that was a hard final exam. The last 15 questions were kind of hard because again I didn’t really study for week 10 as much. That was overall a very hard course. it was the last degree requirement to fulfill and I don’t feel as smart as I thought I was. I guess I’m glad I was challenged because ultimately I am coming out of it a more aware and educated, but it always sucks when you kind of feel unprepared. I really think UTC should make tutorials virtual. There’s just no reason for us to be in a room together. Overall, It’s a humbling feeling for sure. Just glad it’s done.