Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2019 - POL 856 G100

Issues in Social and Economic Policy (5)

Class Number: 7869

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2019: Mon, 1:00–4:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: ISSUES IN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POLICY:  POLICY DESIGN

 This course discusses how government policies are formulated (designed) and implemented (put into practice). Students will apply theoretical perspectives to understand how policy problems are articulated, how solutions to them are derived and assessed and how they can be delivered on the ground. The course looks in detail at the range of instruments available to governments in implementing their programmes, the strengths and weaknesses of different tools, and issues related to how tools are combined in policy portfolios or mixes. Classes will also cover the nature of the actors involved in formulation and design activities, how they are organized, the knowledge they utilize and the techniques they employ in providing advice to decision-makers. Lessons from various jurisdictions and policy sectors about best practices and principles of design are examined with a specific focus on lessons derived from Canadian cases and experiences. 


Course Details: One four-hour seminar each week.

Grading

  • Presentation on class readings 20%
  • Participation in seminar discussions 20%
  • Research Paper Outline 5%
  • Research Paper Class Presentation 15%
  • Final research paper 40%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Required Texts:
Howlett, Michael. Designing Public Policies: Principles and Instruments. New York: Routledge, Second Edition 2019.

Howlett, Michael, and Ishani Mukherjee. Routledge Handbook of Policy Design. New York: Routledge 2018.

Supplementary Texts:

Howlett, Michael, and Ishani Mukherjee. Handbook of Policy Formulation. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2017.

Howlett, Michael, Adam Wellstead, and Jonathan Craft, eds. Policy Work in Canada: Professional Practices and Analytical Capacities. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2017.

Wu, Xun, M. Ramesh, Michael Howlett, and Scott Fritzen. The Public Policy Primer: Managing Public Policy. London: Routledge, Second Edition 2017.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS