Introduction to Public Policy
PUAD 5120, BUSI 5120, POLI 4240/5240 (Section 01)
Fall 2014-2015
Wednesday 17h35 – 20h25, Room 1011, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building
Instructor: Jeff Friesen, Adjunct (FGS) - School of Public Administration
Office 3034, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building
902.494.2530
Office Hours: W 16h00 – 17h00, or by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Alice McVittie-
Course Description
Over 40 years ago, Thomas Dye defined ‘public policy’ as “anything a government chooses to do
or not to do.” 1 Although Dye over simplified the term, his definition did capture the extensive
scope of the subject matter. “Policy-making is the fundamental activity of governments. It is
through the public policy-making process that governments establish the framework within
which all citizens (human and corporate) must function; and it is the process via which
governments decide both which societal goals to pursue and how to (best) pursue them.” 2
Policymaking is the art of developing responses to public problems. 3 As public problems appear
to be increasing in quantity and complexity (e.g. the security shocks since September 11, 2001,
the ongoing global financial crises, climate change), there is renewed interest in public policy, as
evidenced by the Occupy Wall Street, Arab Spring and Idle No More movements.
David Easton 4 noted that the actions of government are the authoritative allocation of values
for a society.5 This observation suggests another rationale for the study of public policy, being
that civil society must, when parsing government actions, consider underlying ideologies as well
as policy determinants, contexts, structures and processes to truly appreciate the policy
framework. These understandings bring coherence to government actions, permitting civil
society to hold government accountable for its duty to advance public values.
1
Dye, Thomas R. (1972). Understanding Public Policy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall at 2.
2
Young, Shaun P. ed. (2013). Evidence-Based Policy-Making in Canada. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press at 1.
th
3
Pal, Leslie A. (2013). Beyond Policy Analysis – Public Issue Management in Turbulent Times (5 Ed.). Toronto:
Nelson Education, at 414.
4
Easton, David (1953). The Political System: An Inquiry into the State of Political Science. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
5
Miller, Eugene F. (1971). David Easton’s Political Theory. Political Science Reviewer, Fall. 184 at 190.
, Introduction to Public Policy
Page | 2
Learning Objectives
There are three primary objectives for the course:
1. The main objective is for students to learn the public policy development process and to
increase their capacity to undertake its key functions,6 which include:
a) theoretical research;
b) statistics, applied research and modeling;
c) environmental scanning, trend analysis, and forecasting;
d) policy analysis and advice;
e) consultation and managing relations;
f) communications; and
g) program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Students will develop and practice the necessary behavioural competencies required of
professional policymakers including adaptability, analytical thinking, creativity and
innovation, critical judgment, initiative, problem solving, relationship building and
teamwork. Course readings, lectures, examinations and experiential learning
assignments will expose students to these competencies as well as proffer opportunities
to exercise technical policymaking competencies, such as information gathering and
project management.
2. A second objective of the course is for students to increase their knowledge of public
policy theories, ideologies and contexts, positioning public policy as an important sub-
field of social science.
3. A third objective is for students to better understand current government policy in
several different fields. Students will develop the necessary analytical skills to
contribute to the future investigation, extension and study of policy fields.
Course Content:
Introduction to Public Policy is a general overview of three different aspects of public policy:
1. Public policy studies – This aspect of the course will examine the basic concepts of
public policy, including underlying normative and positive theories, political ideologies,
policy determinants, and contextual influences. The intention is to better understand
why governments do what they do. This exploration provides not only a more
complete knowledge of public policy as a social science, but also equips students to
participate in policy management processes.
2. Public policy analysis – This aspect of the course will focus on the main policy fields
that preoccupy Canadian policy makers at all levels of government. The intention is to
better understand what governments do. It will provide an introduction and overview
6
Canada Deputy Minister Task Force. (December 1996). Strengthening our Policy Capacity, at 4.
PUAD 5120, BUSI 5120, POLI 4240/5240 (Section 01)
Fall 2014-2015
Wednesday 17h35 – 20h25, Room 1011, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building
Instructor: Jeff Friesen, Adjunct (FGS) - School of Public Administration
Office 3034, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building
902.494.2530
Office Hours: W 16h00 – 17h00, or by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Alice McVittie-
Course Description
Over 40 years ago, Thomas Dye defined ‘public policy’ as “anything a government chooses to do
or not to do.” 1 Although Dye over simplified the term, his definition did capture the extensive
scope of the subject matter. “Policy-making is the fundamental activity of governments. It is
through the public policy-making process that governments establish the framework within
which all citizens (human and corporate) must function; and it is the process via which
governments decide both which societal goals to pursue and how to (best) pursue them.” 2
Policymaking is the art of developing responses to public problems. 3 As public problems appear
to be increasing in quantity and complexity (e.g. the security shocks since September 11, 2001,
the ongoing global financial crises, climate change), there is renewed interest in public policy, as
evidenced by the Occupy Wall Street, Arab Spring and Idle No More movements.
David Easton 4 noted that the actions of government are the authoritative allocation of values
for a society.5 This observation suggests another rationale for the study of public policy, being
that civil society must, when parsing government actions, consider underlying ideologies as well
as policy determinants, contexts, structures and processes to truly appreciate the policy
framework. These understandings bring coherence to government actions, permitting civil
society to hold government accountable for its duty to advance public values.
1
Dye, Thomas R. (1972). Understanding Public Policy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall at 2.
2
Young, Shaun P. ed. (2013). Evidence-Based Policy-Making in Canada. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press at 1.
th
3
Pal, Leslie A. (2013). Beyond Policy Analysis – Public Issue Management in Turbulent Times (5 Ed.). Toronto:
Nelson Education, at 414.
4
Easton, David (1953). The Political System: An Inquiry into the State of Political Science. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
5
Miller, Eugene F. (1971). David Easton’s Political Theory. Political Science Reviewer, Fall. 184 at 190.
, Introduction to Public Policy
Page | 2
Learning Objectives
There are three primary objectives for the course:
1. The main objective is for students to learn the public policy development process and to
increase their capacity to undertake its key functions,6 which include:
a) theoretical research;
b) statistics, applied research and modeling;
c) environmental scanning, trend analysis, and forecasting;
d) policy analysis and advice;
e) consultation and managing relations;
f) communications; and
g) program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Students will develop and practice the necessary behavioural competencies required of
professional policymakers including adaptability, analytical thinking, creativity and
innovation, critical judgment, initiative, problem solving, relationship building and
teamwork. Course readings, lectures, examinations and experiential learning
assignments will expose students to these competencies as well as proffer opportunities
to exercise technical policymaking competencies, such as information gathering and
project management.
2. A second objective of the course is for students to increase their knowledge of public
policy theories, ideologies and contexts, positioning public policy as an important sub-
field of social science.
3. A third objective is for students to better understand current government policy in
several different fields. Students will develop the necessary analytical skills to
contribute to the future investigation, extension and study of policy fields.
Course Content:
Introduction to Public Policy is a general overview of three different aspects of public policy:
1. Public policy studies – This aspect of the course will examine the basic concepts of
public policy, including underlying normative and positive theories, political ideologies,
policy determinants, and contextual influences. The intention is to better understand
why governments do what they do. This exploration provides not only a more
complete knowledge of public policy as a social science, but also equips students to
participate in policy management processes.
2. Public policy analysis – This aspect of the course will focus on the main policy fields
that preoccupy Canadian policy makers at all levels of government. The intention is to
better understand what governments do. It will provide an introduction and overview
6
Canada Deputy Minister Task Force. (December 1996). Strengthening our Policy Capacity, at 4.
