Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2018 - POL 454 D100

Urban Public Policy Making (4)

Class Number: 6007

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Tue, 12:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

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

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course will link differing theoretical perspectives and concepts currently used in public policy studies to an understanding of public policy making in urban governance.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The focus of this course is an examination of the links between differing theoretical perspectives and concepts currently used in the study of public policy and an understanding of public policy and policy making in local, urban, city, regional, metropolitan and local-multilevel governance. Through an assessment of approaches to understanding public policy making, an examination of actual urban policy cases and involvement in working on current public policy dilemmas, the contributions of existing policy theory to explanations of urban policy processes, policy outcomes and urban-city-regional governance will be evaluated. Students in this course will be expected to confront practical public policy dilemmas in Greater Vancouver , BC and other Canadian and comparative urban settings, and to develop policy options that might provide solutions to such predicaments. These will be discussed in initial class seminar meetings and involve interaction with actual public policy practitioners.

One three-four hour seminar/colloquia each week.
The final assessment is based on written assignments and seminar participation. 
One or two field seminars – in/around the Vancouver city region, etc - are anticipated. The topics/locales of these will be discussed in initial class seminars.

Grading

  • Article Critique 15%
  • Briefing Note 20%
  • Memorandum 30%
  • Memorandum’s ‘Media Bits’ 15%
  • Seminar Participation 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Studying Public Policy, by M. Howlett, M. Ramesh, A, Perl, (Toronto: Oxford Univ Press,2009) 3rd edn

Urban Public Policy: Readings/Cases – discussed at initial class/distributed via e-class list

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