Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - POL 405W D100

Interpretation, Conflict, and Controversy in Public Policy (4)

Class Number: 7128

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Eight upper division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the role of values, conflict, and controversy in public policy. Competing normative values and narratives are fundamental to policy formulation. We study how these values are articulated, understood by other actors, and resolved in the policy-making process through an interpretive methods and analysis lens. Students with credit for POL 405 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is designed to mobilize the resources of critical and interpretive political theory for an analysis of public policy in contemporary liberal democracies. At the core of this effort is an emphasis on power, domination, disagreement, and conflict in the public sphere. Where does conflict come from? How is it managed?  How do different values and identities shape policy procedures? Who really governs and how? The first unit of the course examines key theoretical and methodological resources in the field of critical political theory that can help us reframe issues of public policy.  We will examine Michel Foucault’s conception of governmentality, Jurgen Habermas’ theory of the public sphere, Jacques Ranciere’s conception of disagreement, and Chantal Mouffe’s notion of agonistic pluralism. The second unit of the course aims to further develop these theoretical resources and apply them to case studies. We will discuss environmental policies concerning climate change, Canadian public policy in relation to Indigenous communities, the emergence of neoliberal public policy, and the role of think tanks.

There will be one 4-hour seminar each week.

Grading

  • Critical Reflection Paper 1 15%
  • Critical Reflection Paper 2 15%
  • Presentation 20%
  • Participation 15%
  • Major Research Essay 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

 Frank Fischer, Douglas Torgerson, Anna Durnova, and Michael Orsini, eds. Handbook of Critical Policy Studies. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS