Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2020 - URB 695 G100

Selected Topics in Urban Studies (4)

Urban Public Policy

Class Number: 3921

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Jun 24, 2020: Mon, Wed, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course provides an opportunity for students to study one or more urban studies topics that lie beyond the scope of the other courses. This course will normally provide a more research-intensive experience than other graduate urban studies courses.

COURSE DETAILS:


The focus of this course is an examination of the links between differing theoretical perspectives and concepts currently used in the study of public policy and an understanding of public policy analysis and policy making in local, urban, city, regional, metropolitan and local-multilevel governance.

Through an assessment of approaches to understanding the public policy process, an examination of actual urban policy cases and involvement in working on current public policy dilemmas, the contributions of existing policy theory to explanations of urban policy processes, policy outcomes and urban-city-regional governance will be evaluated.

Students in this course will be expected to confront practical public policy dilemmas in Greater Vancouver, BC and other Canadian and comparative urban settings, and to develop policy options that might provide solutions to such predicaments. These will be discussed in initial class seminar meetings and involve interaction with actual public policy practitioners, including faculty and students with the University of Monreal, Vancouver’s mayor and senior city staff, and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing officials.  

Course Organization

Two x three to four-hour seminars/colloquia each week, May 7–June 20 

The final assessment is based on written assignments+seminar participation. One or two field seminars – in/around the Vancouver city region / at Victoria, etc.– are anticipated, as are opportunities to interact with local policy-makers. The topics/locales of these will be discussed in initial class seminars.

Grading

  • Policy op-ed 15%
  • Memorandum + 30%
  • Media strategy 7.5%
  • Case-theory assessment 20%
  • Seminar participation 20%
  • Media press release 7.5%

NOTES:

Contact Info


Offices
Vancouver: HC 2119 (Urban Studies)
Burnaby: AQ 6054 (Political Science)

Office hours will be established at initial class seminar meetings.
Telephone
Poli sci office: 778-782-3088
Urb office: 778-782-7821

Preferred e-mail: psmith.sfu@gmail.com (home office)
or
psmith@sfu.ca

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Studying Public Policy, by M. Howlett, M. Ramesh, A, Perl, (Toronto: Oxford Univ Press,2009) 3rd edn       

Urban Public Policy: Readings/Cases – discussed at initial class/distributed via e-class list

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:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2020

Please note that all teaching at SFU in summer term 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.