Summer Timetable

POL317H1F L0101

Comparative Public Policy

Themes

This course serves as an introduction to public policy, with a focus on wealthy democracies. We will begin by looking at the questions that motivate many studies of policy: Who controls the actions of democratic states? Whose preferences are enacted? Why do policies differ across time and space? Why do they change? These questions cut to the heart of all democratic theories. They are also crucial to understanding your roles as a participant in a democratic society, whether as a voter, a policy-maker, a tax-payer, or a service user. We will then examine four clusters of policies. When we are finished, you will be able to describe policy variation on these issues. This description will enable you to analyze theories of policy formation, making a critical judgement about their explanatory power. Finally, you will also be able to communicate your description and analysis with others.

Format and Requirements

Participation, attendance, policy memoranda (2), and long essay.

Prerequisites

1.0 credit in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/ JRA courses

Exclusions