U M D

UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL STUDIES
TERM : FALL AND WINTER 2013-2014
COURSE #: POLS 4860
SEC: A01
CRN: 10651-20592
COURSE TITLE: Canadian Public Policy Process
CREDIT HOURS: 6
PROFESSOR: Dr. Karine Levasseur
FORMAT: Seminar
OFFICE LOCATION: 528 Fletcher Argue
LOCATION OF CLASS:
ISB 136 (F); SJ 125 (W)
TELEPHONE: 204.474.6410
TIME OF CLASS: Mondays, 6-9pm
EMAIL ADDRESS:
[email protected]
OFFICE HOURS: Mondays, 3-4pm
COURSE CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION:
What is public policy? How can we conceptualize the public policy process? Who are the key
actors involved in the Canadian public policy process? What is the institutional context (for
example, federalism, Charter of Rights and Freedoms) for making public policy? How has the
public policy process changed in an era of risk management? What are the implications for public
policy as a result of the demands made by citizens to become more involved in the process? How
would you characterize the impact of globalization and new forms of governance on the public
policy process? How do we deal with the policy paradox of the “Moon and poverty” (Nelson
1978) where policy has been successful at seemingly impossible achievements like going to the
moon, yet fail at other policy problems such as child poverty?
These are just a few of the many questions that will be raised in this course. This seminar course
will expose students to the public policy process in Canada. It begins with an overview of the
context in which the public policy process unfolds and the different theories that exist to explain
public policy development. Then, we will examine the public policy cycle from problem
definition, response formulation, implementation and evaluation of said response. The
complexities associated with each cycle will also be examined and as students will learn, the only
certainty in public policy is uncertainty. Last, students will explore emerging public policy issues
in Canada.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
20% Participation
10% Reading / Paper presentations
10% Briefing note
25% Research paper
5% Discussant
25% Tests
5% Case Study Presentation
GRADING SCALE
A+ = 90-100
A = 80-89
B+ = 75-79
B25%= 70-74
C+ = 65-69
C = 60-64
D = 50-59
F = 0-49
5
Revised October 13, 2009
%
REQUIRED TEXT(S):
 Les Pal. 2014. Beyond Policy Analysis, Fifth Edition. Toronto: Thomson Nelson.
 Miriam Smith and Michael Orsini (Eds.). 2007. Critical Policy Studies. Vancouver:
UBC Press.
 Lydia Miljan. 2008. Public Policy in Canada – An Introduction, Fifth Edition.
Toronto: Oxford University Press.
 Bruce Doern and Chris Stoney (Eds.). 2013. How Ottawa Spends 2013-2014: The
Harper Government, Midterm Blues and Long Term Plans. Montreal-Kingston:
McGill-Queen’s University Press.
 Other assigned readings are available in the course pack for purchase at the UM
Bookstore
Students are required by the Department to retain a copy of each assignment submitted to their
instructors. Students should acquaint themselves with the University=s policy on plagiarism,
academic dishonesty, academic fraud, cheating and examination impersonation in the University
of Manitoba General Calendar. Students may also refer to the Faculty’s website:
http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/student/index.html which will provide detailed information on
the issues and possible range of penalties for Academic Dishonesty. Unreturned term work will
become the property of the Faculty of Arts and will be subject to confidential destruction.
Revised October 13, 2009