SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
FACULTY OF LIBERAL ARTS AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
York University
Course:
AP/PPAS3190C 6.0 Public Administration
Term:
Fall/Winter 2012-2013
Time and location: Wednesday, 4:00-7:00 p.m., TEL 0007
Course website:
http://maple.eso.yorku.ca/2012Y-APPPAS3190C-06
Instructor:
Dr. Caroline Dufour
Office hours:
Tuesday, 1:00-3:00 p.m. and on appointment. It is always better to
confirm the meeting before visiting the office.
Questions asked by e-mail will be answered within 48 hours.
Purpose and objectives of the course
This course is an introduction to the study of public administration and public policy in
Canada, especially at the federal level of government. Its objective is to transmit fundamental
knowledge about the institutions, the activities, the processes, and the actors involved in the
preparation and implementation of decisions made by Canadian governments.
At the end of the course, the students should:
1.
Have a general understanding of the public policy cycle in the Canadian setting;
2.
Understand the Canadian public administration institutions and processes;
3.
Be able to find, evaluate and use information related to public policy and
administration
in
different
sources,
including
newspapers
and
government
publications.
Organization of the Course
The course is divided into two parts. This first part presents the public policy process, while
the second one deals with different dimensions of public administration. See the schedule of
topics below for further information. Instruction is done through formal lectures of two hours,
followed by tutorials that last an hour. The groups for tutorials meet in rotation, about every
2
other class (see schedule below). The composition of the groups will be announced on
September 26th.
Evaluation
The final grade for the course will be based on the following items weighted as indicated:
Research paper #1
December 3, 2012
20%
Research paper #2
April 8, 2013
20%
Tutorial assignments
See schedule below for dates
30% (4×7.5%)
Participation to tutorials
Ongoing
10%
Final exam
Winter exams period
20%
Research papers #1 and #2 are individual assignments. The first paper consists of
documenting and explaining the development of a policy at the Canadian federal or provincial
level, while the second one focuses on the description of the organizations involved in the
development of this policy. A guidelines document regarding these papers will be distributed
in class on September 19th. An in-library session will give the students information about how
to find information to complete them on September 26th. Students can submit the research
papers by e-mail or they can drop a hard copy at the School of Public Policy and
Administration. If the papers are submitted by email, it is the student’s responsibility to make
sure the documents are received on time by the instructor.
The tutorial assignments must present a short analysis linked to the weekly mandatory
reading discussed during the tutorial. Guidelines will be distributed in class on September,
26th. The assignments must list all references cited in an appropriate scholarly format and be
typed or word processed. The length is usually about four to five pages, 1 ½ space. The
assignment is due and to be handed in at the beginning of the tutorial. Even though the
grades of four assignments will be applied to the final mark, students have the possibility of
writing up to seven. Only the four best grades will be considered. Assignments will be
collected on random dates.
3
The participation to the tutorials is essential and is not based on attendance, but the
contribution to the discussion. Guidelines about the participation to the tutorials will be
distributed on September 26th.
The final exam covers material presented in class and in the textbooks from November 7th
2012 to March 20th 2013 inclusively.
Required Reading
Inwood, Gregory J. 2012. Understanding Canadian Public Administration. An Introduction to
Theory and Practice. Toronto: Pearson, 4th edition.
Miljan, Lydia. 2012. Public Policy in Canada. An Introduction. Don Mills, Oxford University
Press, 6th edition.
These books are available through York bookstore and copies are place on reserve in Scott
Library.
Newspapers articles, available online, will also be used for some tutorials. Their Internet
address will be posted on the course website.
The textbooks present complete and up to date bibliographies. If students need more
references, they can ask the instructor.
Current events provide numerous examples of different phases of the policy process and
public administration. Students should then be reasonably familiar with them. It is a good idea
to have a subscription to a daily newspaper. It is also possible to access quality information
on the Internet. For current events in Canada, CBC News website (http://www.cbc.ca/news/)
and the online edition of the Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/) are
interesting
sources.
For
international
events,
there
is
the
BBC
News
website
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/).
PPT presentations, links to websites, and other information and documents viewed in class
will be posted on the course website (http://maple.eso.yorku.ca/2012Y-APPPAS3190C-06).
4
Schedule of Topics and Readings
The following list of topics and readings is subject to change.
Fall term
Date
Topic
September 5
Introduction:
What
is
public
policy?
What
is
public
administration?
Readings:
THE PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS
September 12
Policy Actors and Institutions
Reading:
Miljan, chap. 3
September 19
Policy Instruments
Reading:
Inwood, pp. 237-239; Miljan, pp. 13-14
A portion of this class will be devoted to the presentation of the
guidelines for research paper #1.
September 26
Finding information about public policy and administration
Note: in-library session - Scott Library
October 3
Problem Definition and Agenda-Setting
Reading:
Inwood, pp. 222-230
Tutorial:
Group A – Miljan, chap. 11, Environmental policy
October 10
Policy Formulation and Decision-making
Reading:
Inwood, pp. 230-231; Miljan, pp. 34-38
Tutorial:
Group B – Miljan, chap. 6, Macroeconomic policy
October 17
Policy Implementation
Reading:
Inwood, pp. 232-237 and 239-240; Miljan, chap. 4
Tutorial:
Group A – Miljan, chap. 9, Family policy
5
October 24
Policy Evaluation
Reading:
Inwood, pp. 240-250; Miljan, chap. 5
Tutorial:
Group B – Miljan, chap. 10, Aboriginal policy
October 31
Co-Curricular Week
No class
THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PROCESS
November 7
The Weberian Bureaucracy
Reading:
Inwood, pp. 66-75
November 14
Government Departments and Central Agencies
Reading:
Inwood, chap. 5
Tutorial:
Group A
November 21
Public Administration and Executive Power
Reading:
Inwood, chap. 5
Tutorial:
Group B
November 28
Free to complete research paper #1
Winter term
Date
Topics
January 9
Public Administration and the Legislature
Reading:
Inwood, pp. 50-51
Tutorial:
Group A
January 16
Public Administration, Judiciary Power, and Law
Reading:
Inwood, chap. 6
Visiting lecturer
January 23
Public Administration, Interest Groups and Political Parties
Reading:
Inwood, pp. 51-53
Tutorial:
Group B
6
January 30
Public Administration, the Public and the Media
A portion of this class will be devoted to the presentation of the
guidelines for research paper #2.
Reading:
Inwood, pp. 53-54
Tutorial:
Group A
February 6
The Management of Human Resources
Reading:
Inwood, chap. 8
Tutorial:
Group B
February 13
Representative Administration and Equity
Reading:
Inwood, chap. 8
Tutorial:
Group A
February 20
Reading week
No class
February 27
The Budgetary Process
Reading:
Inwood, chap. 9, pp. 328-331.
Tutorial:
Group B
March 6
The Management of Financial Resources
Reading:
Inwood, chap. 9, pp. 314-328.
Tutorial:
Group A
March 13
Administrative reform
Reading:
Inwood, chap. 9, pp. 303-314.
Tutorial:
Group B
March 20
Responsibility, Accountability, and Ethics
Reading:
Inwood, chap. 10 and 11
7
March 27
“Backup” class
This class will be used to accommodate any change to the regular
schedule due, for example, to the visit of guest lecturers and the
learning pace.
April 3
Free to complete research paper #2
Lateness Penalties
Research papers are not accepted after 5 p.m. on the due date, whatever they are submitted
in person or by email. The tutorial assignments will not be accepted later than the first 15
minutes of the tutorial.
Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds,
etc. will be entertained by the course director only when supported by written documentation.
Instructor responsibilities1
Being prompt, prepared, and respectful of all points of view. Respect does not imply,
however, accepting uncritically every argument. The study of public policy and administration
is about being analytic and critical by using evidence and logic.
Creating an open, stimulating environment for the exchange of ideas and for questioning the
underlying assumptions of ideas.
Being available for questions or advice.
Student Responsibilities
1
Instructor’s and students’ responsibilities adapted from Tom Birkland’s syllabus for POS/PUB140 Introduction to
Public Policy, Department of Political Science and Department of Public Administration and Policy, University at
Albany, State University of New York, Spring 2007.
8
Attending class. Experience shows that students who fail to attend class receive lower
grades.
Doing the work. The best way to earn a high mark is to study, do the reading, pay attention,
contribute to discussions, and work hard. Not everything covered in the books will be
discussed in class and lectures and discussions are held to enrich the material covered in
books, not simply reread it. Students must also participate fully in all activities.
Being courteous to the instructor and classmates. Unacceptable elements include: cell
phones ringing, reading newspaper and magazine in the classroom, browsing Internet for
purpose unrelated to the course, and packing up to leave before class ends.
Being aware and respectful of York University’s policies, procedures and regulations. Some
of them a listed below and a complete list can be found on the Senate website:
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/
Academic Honesty
Breaches of the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty are serious matters. To quote the
Senate Policy on Academic Honesty:
“The Policy on Academic Honesty is a reaffirmation and clarification for members of the
University of the general obligation to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty. It
outlines the general responsibility of faculty to foster acceptable standards of academic
conduct and of the student to be mindful of and abide by such standards.”
Faculty members are encouraged to pursue suspected cases of academic honesty with
formal charges. Students should, however, review the York Academic Honesty policy for
themselves at http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/document.php?document=69.
Students might also wish to review the interactive on-line Tutorial for students on academic
integrity, at http://www.yorku.ca/tutorial/academic_integrity/.
9
Reappraisals
For petition and reappraisal procedures and information, visit the Senate’s website at
http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/2012-2013/policies/petitions/
Accommodation Procedures
Deferred Standing
Students who have experienced a misfortune or who are too ill to attend an examination in an
course should not attempt to do so; they must pursue deferred standing. For further
information, visit http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/exams/deferred/.
Senate Religious Observance Policy
York University is committed to respecting the religious beliefs and practices of all members
of the community, and making accommodations for observances of special significance to
adherents. For further information on accommodation procedures required due to religious
commitment,
and
the
schedule
of
dates,
visit
https://w2prod.sis.yorku.ca/Apps/WebObjects/cdm.woa/wa/regobs.
Students with Special Needs
York University is committed to making reasonable accommodations and adaptations in order
to make equitable the educational experience of students with special needs and to promote
their full integration into the campus community. Please alert the Course instructor as
soon as possible should you require special accommodations. For specific resources,
visit the Counseling and Disability Services website at: http://www.yorku.ca/cds/