Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2023 - POL 460 D100

Selected Topics in Public Policy (4)

Issues in Social and Economic Policy

Class Number: 3463

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Aug 4, 2023: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

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

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: ISSUES IN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POLICY 


This joint seminar, shared between graduate students and undergraduates, will explore theories and concepts of how to understand the politics of social and economic policy at an advanced level that provides undergraduates with a bridge to graduate study. Students must be prepared to engage with advanced conceptual and theoretical literature on policy making provided through peer reviewed scholarly journal articles.  Taking the time to read and understand advanced concepts and theories in policy theory is absolutely essential to success in this seminar.  Students will be expected to explain why some problems get placed on the policy agenda and while others get sidetracked, and why particular policy instruments become accepted procedures and practices while others remain unfamiliar to and untried by government.  In order to develop such an explanation successfully, students will need to assemble the theories encountered during the first half of this seminar into a conceptual framework that can be applied to empirical evidence in their research paper.

One three-hour seminar each week.

Combined with POL 856

Grading

  • Analytical template of weekly readings 20%
  • Participation in seminar discussions 20%
  • Draft research question 10%
  • Draft research paper 20%
  • Final research paper 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be drawn from scholarly journal articles that are accessible through SFU’s library databases. Accessing these readings will be part of each student’s research skills development. A reading list will be distributed at the first 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.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester 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.