Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - EDUC 817 G031

Policy Processes (3)

Class Number: 7054

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Location: TBA

  • Instructor:

    Michael Ling
    gling@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-4168
    Office: EDB 8666 Burnaby Campus
    Office Hours: By Appointment (Phone, Zoom, or In-Person)

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course examines three interrelated aspects of policy studies as a critical function of the educational leadership role: conceptual and theoretical foundations concerning policy, policy actors, and policy processes; current research in the field; and topical issues and problems. It also considers social, economic and political contexts (e.g. technologization, corporatization, pluralism) and how they affect education.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course looks at policy, and policy processes, from the perspective of policy as a particular kind of intention, expression, and manifestation of organizational culture, and as an integral and complicated component of the complex set of responsibilities of those in leadership roles. In particular, we will look at policy through the lenses offered by various social and organizational theorists in order to develop a critical perspective on policy development, formation, and implementation. There will be an emphasis on looking at specific examples of policy drawn from our own various post-secondary educational settings and contexts, in order to examine and explore how policy does or does not ‘work,’ and for whom. Themes drawing on, for example, the social, economic, and political conditions of our times, such as diversity and inclusion, equity, technologization, managerialism, and corporatization, that influence and shape education and educational policy, will also be explored.

Date: Wednesdays between Jan 12, 2022 and April 6, 2022 (except Feb 23, 2022)

Time: 5:30pm-8:20pm

Room: SRYC 3200

Grading

  • Personal Presentation on ‘The Colour of Our Times’ (to be discussed) 20%
  • Small Group Project and Presentation/Leading Class in a Discussion on a Policy Issue 20%
  • End of Term Poster Presentation and Round-table Discussion 20%
  • Final Policy Project (to be discussed, and negotiated with Instructor) 40%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

There are no books to buy for this course. We will use open source materials from the web, what can be obtained through the SFU Online Library System, and that which will be posted to Canvas.

A pre-reading will be sent out in advance of our first class in early January.

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 SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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 may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.