Department of Political Science


Course Information



POLITICS 459 - Selected Topics in Public Policy, Public Administration and Public Law


99-1 Topic: Canadian Natural Resource and Environmental Policy

Special Notices

In 99-1 this course is being taught by Professor Michael Howlett, AQ 6043 291-3082, email howlett@sfu.ca Office Hours: 12:30-1:30 Thursday

Class Time: Thursday 1:30-5:30
Class Location: AQ 5007

OUTLINE:

Note: This outline is available through the World Wide Web at URL:"http://www.sfu.ca/politics/courses.html"

This course examines the historical, economic and political significance of natural resources in Canada. It then addresses a range of current policy issues relating to the natural resource industries including: constitutional jurisdiction; policy instrument choices; policy subsystems; the policy-making process; and sustainability. An overview of the types of regulation Canadian governments have imposed on the sector is provided and a framework for understanding the political and economic forces influencing government policy formation is developed.

REQUIREMENTS AND MARKING:

1. There will be a final examination worth 30 percent of the course mark.

2. One 15-20 page paper is due at the end of term and is worth 50 percent of the class mark. Papers should be typed, double-spaced and properly formatted. Papers are due on the last day of class. LATE PAPERS WILL LOSE TEN PERCENT PER DAY LATE.

3. Twenty percent of the course mark will be awarded on the basis of class participation. This includes the completion of a reading presentation in class timebased on reactions to a book or article review posted to the maillist established for the class ("pol459-d1@sfu.ca") and a seminar presentation in class time based upon a first draft of the term paper.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

1. M. Hessing and M. Howlett, Canadian Natural Resource and Environmental Policy (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 1997)

2. B. Mitchell ed., Resource and Environmental Management in Canada (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1995)

RECOMMENDED TEXTS:

1. J. Britton ed., Canada and the Global Economy (Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1996)

2. G. Thompson, M. McConnell, L.B. Huestis eds, Environmental Law and Business in Canada (Toronto: Canada Law Book, 1993)

PAPER TOPIC:

Choose a Canadian government and a resource sector. Foccusing either upon a current industrial or environmental policy issue, outline the current policy of that government towards that issue and the historical evolution of that policy. On the basis of this investigation, discuss the significant factors which have influenced the development of the policy chosen.

FOLLOW THESE LINKS FOR COURSE RELATED MATERIAL:

FOLLOW THESE LINKS FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH RESOURCES:

Go to Class Maillist archive




Return to the Course Information page.
Return to the Political Science homepage.

Site Visits Since January, 1999