Spring 2023 - REM 644 G100

Public Policy Analysis and Administration (5)

Class Number: 5023

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Analysis of methods of policy-making and problem solving with particular emphasis on natural resource issues. Topics include goal setting, problem definition, program scheduling, policy evaluation, policy implementation and public administration. A practical analysis of the structure and processes surrounding major contemporary policy issues. Equivalent Courses: MRM644

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces public policy and policy analysis, with a focus on problems in resource and environmental management. In addition to building an understanding of what public policy is and how policy analysis works, we will focus on methods and techniques associated with policy change. The course will examine:
   * Theories and models of the policy process;
   * The nature of policy problems and the role of problem definition in policy making;
   * The relationship between research and policy;
   * The role of (and challenges associated with) equity in policy and policy processes;
   * Stages in the policy-making process and the participants and practices commonly associated with each;
   * Methods and techniques for influencing policy processes;
   * Methods and criteria for evaluating policy processes and outcomes;
   * Conceptual frameworks for analyzing and organizing knowledge about policy and socio-ecological systems.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

You will learn to:

  1. Understand prominent theories of the policy process and how they can be used to study the development and implementation of policies.
  2. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of policies, critique the rationales offered in support of policies, and understand the processes through which policies are designed, adopted and implemented.
  3. Analyze and effectively intervene in policy processes, including applying knowledge from other REM courses to the design and analysis of policies.
  4. Conduct and present (orally and in writing) a policy analysis of a resource and environmental management problem, in which you evaluate alternative strategies and make a recommendation to decision makers to address the problem.

Grading

  • Participation 20%
  • Assignments 80%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Howlett, M., M. Ramesh, and A. Perl. 2020. Studying public policy: Principles and Processes. Fourth Edition. Oxford, U.K: Oxford University Press.
E-textbook is available through SFU Bookstore: http://www.sfu.ca/bookstore/coursematerials

We will supplement the required texts with additional on-line (electronic) required reading and suggested reading for each class.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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 website 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