This course is intended to provide foundational knowledge of the institutional frameworks and mechanics of governance at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels in Canada. It aims to develop both a theoretical and a practical understanding of how public policy operates. Topics include the policy process, public administration, the Constitution, the Westminster parliamentary system, federalism and the courts.

This course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of economic theory for public policy professionals with a view to understanding how government regulates the complex set of forces going on in the market. Topics include market failures, industrial organization, regulatory economics, externalities, and public goods.

The central objective of this course is to equip students with the tools necessary to effectively evaluate public policy impacts and outcomes. Students will develop practical experience by working in teams to conduct evaluations of recent policy implementations.

The culminating exercise of the program, this course employs a problem-based learning approach to emergent policy challenges related to digital technology, transformative issues, and housing. Students work to develop a white paper focused on a particular policy challenge. Students will present their recommendations to an expert panel comprised of public policy professionals.

This course prepares students to undertake the empirical analysis of public policy problems of the sort they might encounter in a professional environment. Students will develop competencies in the evaluation of available evidence so as to offer informed public policy recommendations.

This course examines how political systems and the machinery of government shape policy development. Students will explore government decision-making dynamics; core administrative practices; the roles of politicians, political staff, and bureaucrats; and key functions like service delivery, procurement, finance, and human resources. Particular attention will be paid to digital government and digital transformation as well as the role of external actors (e.g., civil society and private sector) in policy development.

This course explores law, the courts and administrative agencies as important policy influences and sites of decision making authority for and on digital policymaking. It examines private and public law foundations, institutions and issues as a means of governing the regulation of digital markets and platforms. Existing precedents and emerging, real-world cases will be discussed.

This skills lab provides a review of the essential elements of grammar: punctuation, style, and mechanics. Its objective is to develop professional writing competencies such that students are able to produce clear, succinct, and grammatically correct material.

This skills lab introduces students to the application of logical reasoning to interpret arguments and evaluate their quality.

This course will provide students with an introduction to fundamental concepts in statistics such that they can competently assess evidence which relies on the application of data analysis to public policy applications.

This course builds on the data analysis skills and competencies developed in PUBPOL 750.

This skills lab provides an overview of the essential tools needed to deliver successful projects on time and on budget. Students will learn the fundamental principles of project management such as project initiation, project definition, creation of work breakdown structures, scheduling using Gantt charts and network diagrams, risk management, budgeting and controlling resources, quality assurance, auditing and project termination.

This course provides students with an understanding of how stakeholder engagement informs government policy. Using case studies, it will unpack how the public engages with government through formal and informal consultation, how regulatory processes require stakeholder involvement (particularly in development and infrastructure) and how systems enhance or inhibit the ability for regular people to see themselves reflected in government policy.

This course explores public sector transformation in the digital age. Topics include risk areas, comparative practices, governance implications of new technologies (e.g. cybersecurity), data policy and information governance (e.g. open data, data policy, privacy), preparing for the digital economy (e.g. infrastructure investments, closing the regulation gap, harnessing emerging digital industries), e-government and platform governance.

This course provides a technical overview of a selection of key digital technologies intended to provide students with a working knowledge as to how these technologies work and their resultant policy implications. Topics include Internet Protocols, Artificial Intelligence, blockchain and cryptocurrency, cloud and quantum computing, social media platforms, programmatic advertising, and biotechnology.

This course provides students with a practical introduction to web development.

This course builds on the skills and competencies developed in PUBPOL 753.

This skills lab will orient students to the organizational function of being a ‘product manager’ within a technology company or government ministry. Topics include user research and design thinking, creating user stories, defining a minimal viable product and product vision, building backlogs and roadmaps, sprint planning, retrospectives and feedback loops, stakeholder management and iterating across all stages of the product lifecycle.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of housing policy and governance, focusing on the frameworks, principles, and practices that shape housing systems in Canada’s market-based system. It examines the role of government, non-profit organizations, the private sector, and community stakeholders in addressing housing issues. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of housing policy development, implementation, and evaluation within various governance contexts.

This course surveys the economic principles, policies and incentives that shape the housing market in Canada. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing housing supply and demand, the role of government intervention, and the impact of various policy measures on housing supply, affordability, and accessibility. Students will examine case studies of policy design in the housing space over time, and engage in critical discussions on contemporary housing issues.

This skills lab explores the application of data science, information systems, and digital tools to enhance policy-making and public administration. The course emphasizes practical examples in housing policy in Canada, demonstrating how informatics can improve decision-making, resource allocation, and policy outcomes in these critical areas. Students will learn about the existing data infrastructure(s) that support policy-making in these critical areas. Students will learn to navigate and leverage these systems in order to inform and evaluate interventions that seek to address real-world policy challenges.