Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - POL 460 D100

Selected Topics in Public Policy (4)

Issues in Social and Economic Policy

Class Number: 2297

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

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

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topic: 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 neglected, and why particular policy instruments become accepted procedures and practices while others remain unfamiliar or unacceptable to many.  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.

Note:  This course is 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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.