¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

School of Public Policy | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar 2012 Summer

The following are all the courses offered in this area. To view the current course catalog and/or course schedule on the Student Information System, visit (select "Class Search/Course Schedule" on the left menu).

MPP 800-5 Introduction to Policy Issues and Analysis I

An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of public policy analysis and examinatio of current policy issues.

MPP 801-5 Economic Foundations of Policy Analysis I

An examination of the basic operation of a market economy and introduction to key economic concepts and techniques.

MPP 802-5 Economic Foundations of Policy Analysis II

Application of economic concepts and techniques to a variety of public policy issues.

MPP 803-5 Political Foundations of Policy Analysis I

The first of a two term sequence that examines the basic structures and processes of government in Canada and their context in the evolving Canadian political economy. It also introduces students to key actors in the policy process and examines their structure and behavior. Examples of relevant actors include federal, provincial and local state structures and agencies, and a variety of societal actors such as pressure groups, social movements, think tanks and other associations.

MPP 804-5 Political Foundations of Policy Analysis II

Building upon MPP 803, this course provides a detailed examination of the policy process – the stages through which public policies are developed. The course outlines the nature of the policy cycle and examines the formal and informal institutions and rules that affect policy actors in their deliberations and decisions. Specific attention is paid to the nature of policy communities and policy networks in Canada and their impact upon policy content and policy change.

MPP 805-5 Research Techniques and Quantitative Methods I

Surveys graphical, mathematical and statistical tools with applications to policy analysis. Covers graphical techniques; algebraic relationships, descriptive statistics, probability distributions, confidence intervals; definition and interpretation of regression results.

MPP 806-5 Research Techniques and Quantitative Methods II

Develops key analytical and practical skills that include use of programs such as Excel and SPSS. Identifies and frames public policy problems and structure effective research questions and study designs. Introduces to methodologies for interviews, focus groups, case studies, surveys, and how to incorporate these data sources into policy research.

MPP 807-5 Introduction to Policy Analysis and Issues II

Introduces the basic principles and techniques of policy analysis and examination of current public policy issues. A continuation of MPP 800. Prerequisite: MPP 800.

MPP 808-5 Advanced Policy Analysis I

Covers advanced policy analysis techniques applied by students to individual projects on current policy issues. The first course in the project component of the program. Only open to students registered in the MPP program.

MPP 809-5 Advanced Policy Analysis II

Covers advanced policy analysis techniques and applied by students to individual projects on current public policy issues. This course will constitute the project component of the program. Open only to students registered in the MPP program.

MPP 810-5 Issues in Public Policy

Covers topics appropriate to the program but not covered extensively in the core courses.

MPP 812-5 Selected Topics in Public Policy

Covers topics appropriate to the program but not covered extensively in the core courses.

MPP 817-5 Advanced Qualitative Analysis for Public Policy

Covers paradigms for methodological choices and the design of qualitative research for real world public policy applications; critical perspectives of qualitative methods including interviews, focus group discussions, diary methods, visual methods, experimental methods and discourse analysis.

MPP 818-5 Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysts

Applies methodologies for causal relationships, covering the steps necessary to do empirical analysis. Introduces econometric methodology; model specification and hypothesis testing to relate quantitative results to policy design. Estimation methods are surveyed and practiced. Prerequisite: MPP 805 and MPP 806, or equivalent.

MPP 819-5 Public Management

Theories of public management and different approaches to regulating public enterprise. Contrasts the dominant new public management theory with classical public administration, cultural, representative, and new institutionalism theories. Covers public sector ethics, tragic choices and freedom of information.

MPP 820-5 Public Participation in Public Policy

Examines the role public participation plays in public policy making and the benefits and challenges associated with 21st century public consultation. Explores public involvement in elections, non-electoral public participation in policy making, and participatory mechanisms including citizens' assemblies and social media.

MPP 821-5 Aboriginal and First Nations Policy

Overview of aboriginal and First Nations policy issues and policy choices in BC and Canada. Examines demographic trends, social and economic data, and development issues. Rights and title, accommodation and infringement, treaty and self government issues and policies are a focus as well as socio-economic issues and problems, including those of urban people.

MPP 822-5 World Economics Policy Issues

Examines the economic foundations of selected global issues with basic analytical tools to evaluate complex arguments. Topics are based on current international issues and cover areas such as financial flows, immigration, technology transfer, multinational companies and their role in economic development. Prerequisite: MPP 801 and MPP 802, or equivalent.

MPP 823-5 Health Policy

Examines health policy in Canada from a range of perspectives with a focus on the rapidly changing and increasingly politicized health care environment in which efficiency, evidence, and social justice are important driving forces. Compares the Canadian system to the US and other international jurisdictions.

MPP 824-5 Analysis, Formulation, and Evaluation of Social Policy

Analysis, formulation, and evaluation of social policies, covering income security benefit programs. A multi-disciplinary approach encompassing economic, political, and operational perspectives that covers social policy analysis as well as the more technical aspects of formulating and evaluating programs. Prerequisite: MPP 801 and MPP 802 or equivalent.

MPP 825-5 MPP Directed Readings I

MPP 826-5 MPP Directed Readings II

MPP 827-5 Managing Compliance: Delivering Policy

Securing compliance represents the bulk of federal government responsibilities. How to manage these powers efficiently and effectively within the context of Canadian values; control social and economic behaviour, manage and mitigate compliance risk.

MPP 828-5 Multiple Account Benefit-Cost Analysis

Theoretical foundations and practical procedures for analysis of public sector projects, programs, and regulations using the tools of multiple accounts and benefit-cost analysis. Critical discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the techniques. Application of the tools to current policy problems in Canada. Prerequisite: MPP 801 and MPP 802, or equivalent.

MPP 829-5 Environmental Policy

Analysis of policy instruments to address environmental problems. Economic valuation of ecosystem goods and services. The political economy of designing and implementing environmental policies and their application with a focus on developing countries. Prerequisite: MPP 801 and MPP 802, or equivalent.

MPP 850-0 MPP Internship

Students who do not have prior work experience in public policy are placed in a public or private organization connected to public policy. The work they undertake must be of sufficient depth and breadth to allow the student the opportunity to demonstrate his or her acquired knowledge and skills. Students will be required to produce a work report that will be an appraisal of the student's work experience.

Return to public policy index page.