Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - EDUC 817 G031

Policy Processes (3)

Class Number: 4572

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course examines three interrelated aspects of policy studies as a critical function of the educational leadership role: conceptual and theoretical foundations concerning policy, policy actors, and policy processes; current research in the field; and topical issues and problems. It also considers social, economic and political contexts (e.g. technologization, corporatization, pluralism) and how they affect education.

COURSE DETAILS:

Name

Dr. Meaghan Dougherty

Phone

604.657.1559

Email

mkdoughe@sfu.ca

Office

Please email to set up Zoom, phone, or in-person meetings

Meeting Dates:

Thurs Jan 9 – Thurs Apr 3, 2025

Note that class on Thursday, Feb 20 will be cancelled due to reading week.

Meeting Times:

5:30 – 8:30pm

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Gain a broad view and developed understanding of current issues in education policy through theory, research, policy, and practice.

Develop your understanding of tenets, strengths, and limitations of policy processes

a) Understand the principles of policy analysis.
b) Understand the principles of policy design
c) Understand the principles of policy implementation
d) Understand the principles of policy evaluation.

Identify key stages and aspects of the policy cycle

Develop an understanding of education policy as situated in BC

Survey a range of policy frameworks used to interrogate policy.

Engage in self-reflection and self-critique regarding your own policy framework assumptions and explore the limits of your knowledge, thinking and practice. Consider the frameworks of others in understanding the diversity of approaches to policy development and application.

Explore the role of assessment in the policy and practice of education.

Analyze policy processes in your practice as a leader.

Apply a policy framework to an issue in your practice.

Develop policy recommendations relevant to a theoretical framework and action research projects.

a) Identify key policy actors, coalitions, positions, and debates within the policy area, as appropriate
b) Consider how the policy will interact with education organizations and systems, as appropriate
c) Consider the ethical issues associated with the policy proposal, as appropriate.

Grading

  • Imagining an educational eco-system 30%
  • Policy analysis 30%
  • Policy proposal 30%
  • Collegial contribution 10%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Addititional Sources:

Education and Training
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training

Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/ministries/advanced-education-skills-training

Private Training Institutions Branch
https://www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca/

Legislation:

http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96052_01

http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96468_01

http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96409_01

Labour Relations: Public Sector Employers' Council Secretariat: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/ministries-organizations/central-government-agencies/public-sector-employers-council-secretariat

Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC): https://www.cufa.bc.ca

Federation of Post-Secondary Educators: https://fpse.ca

REQUIRED READING:

McKenzie, B., & Wharf, B. (2016). Connecting policy to practice in the human services (4th ed). Oxford University Press Canada.  ISBN: 978-0-19-901106-3.


ISBN: 978-0-19-901106-3

Winton, S., & Parekh, G. (Eds.). (2020). Critical perspectives on education policy and schools, families, and communities. Information Age Publishing.  ISBN: 9781641138819 (electronic bk.)


ISBN: 9781641138819

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bergquist, W. H., & Pawlak, K. (2008). Engaging the six cultures of the academy. Jossey-Bass.

Brooks, R., Gupta, A., Jayadeva, S., & Abrahams, J. (2020). Students’ views about the purpose of higher education: a comparative analysis of six European countries. Higher Education Research & Development, 40(7), 1375-1388. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2020.1830039

Cairns, K. (2013). The subject of neoliberal affects: Rural youth envision their futures. The Canadian Geographer, 57(3), 337-344. doi: 10.1111/cag.12012

Davies, B., & Bansel, P. (2007). Neoliberalism and education. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 20(3), 247-259.  https://doi.org/10.1080/09518390701281751

Dougherty, M. (2022). Reconceptualising the transition from post-secondary education to work. Journal of Education and Work, 35(3), 241-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/09518390701281751

Judson, G., & Dougherty, M. (Eds.) (2024). Cultivating imagination in leadership: Transforming schools and communities. Teachers’ College Press. 

Noonan, J., & Coral, M. (2015). The tyranny of work: Employability and the neoliberal assault on education. Alternate Routes, 26, 51-73. https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/philosophypub/41

Palmer, P. J., & Zajonc, A. (2010). The heart of higher education: A call to renewal. Jossey Bass.

Stein, S. (2022). Unsettling the university: Confronting the colonial foundations of US higher education. Johns Hopkins University Press.


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.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

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 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.