Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - PLCY 300 D100

Applied Public Policy Analysis (4)

Class Number: 3895

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces the basic principles and techniques of policy analysis and how to apply them to pressing policy issues and address gaps in policy. Builds on the theoretical and methodological foundations across the disciplines. Promotes critical thinking, problem solving, and communication of findings in ways appropriate for policy decision makers.

COURSE DETAILS:

PLCY 300 and PLCY 400 are two sequential courses for those seeking to become successful civil servants. PLCY 300 familiarizes students with the knowledge and skills to provide effective public policy advice to decision-makers, which they will apply PLCY 400, where teams of students are connected with government and not-for-profit partners to produce policy advice for real-world policy problems. In PLCY 300, will learn the steps involved in policy analysis. This begins with defining and understanding a policy problem, followed by identifying and assessing policy alternatives, and concludes with communicating a recommendation to decision-makers. Students will learn these skills through dynamic in-class activities, guest speakers with experience in the civil service, and assignments that offer students an opportunity to practice memo-writing, policy analysis, critical and creative thinking, and public speaking. By the end of these two courses, students will have acquired skills that will help them get hired into, or promoted within, the civil service

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Define specific public policy problems and explain their underlying causes.

2. Conduct systematic research to identify and evaluate appropriate policy options for public policy problems.

3. Draft briefing notes that effectively communicate policy problems, options, and recommendations.

4. Better communicate their ideas and analyses in small groups and public speaking activities.

My aim, as an instructor, is to create a dynamic course and learning environment that facilitates community-building, peer-to-peer learning, and skill development for students. To this end, each session of the course will typically include a mix of lectures to introduce foundational content, small group activities to apply that content, and whole-of-class discussions to further integrate and sense-make it together. Students will strengthen their understanding of the course material and content through assignments that engage various skillsets. Guest speakers will expand students’ understanding of topics covered in the course. I am committed to fostering a respectful, lively, inclusive, and collaborative learning environment throughout this course, and therefore welcome ideas and feedback from students about ways to improve their learning.

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Stakeholder Analysis 25%
  • Decision-Maker Simulation Reflection 10%
  • Federal Election Party Platform Policy Analysis Group Presentation 25%
  • Briefing Note 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

The core text for the course is Meltzer, R., & Schwartz, A. (2018). Policy Analysis as Problem Solving: A Flexible and Evidence-Based Framework (1st ed.). Routledge, which will be complemented by additional required readings, listed below. Other resources or news that may be helpful for students learning about policy analysis include:
· Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/
· Paul Cairney: Politics & Public Policy blog: https://paulcairney.wordpress.com/ · Policy Options: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/
· Public Policy Forum: https://ppforum.ca/
· The Conversation Canada: https://theconversation.com/ca

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.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.