Overview
Welcome to Political Science 403: Public Policy in a Global Era, a 3-credit senior level course that is designed for students interested in the impact of globalization on public policy. In particular, the course examines the forces shaping the character and content of Canadian public policy in this era of globalization. It provides students with the conceptual, theoretical and analytical tools required to study and to critically assess Canadian public policy. Students will also explore the dominant policy trend of this era—that is, the “internationalization” or globalization of public policy.
The focus of Political Science 403 is theoretical. As such, students will spend considerable time exploring alternative answers to the question: How are we to understand and explain the character and content of Canadian public policy in this global era? The course is designed on the assumption that to answer this question students need to be exposed to readings that discuss the content of concrete policies. Thus, virtually every unit of the course includes theoretical readings and at least one case study reading that examines the changing character of Canadian public policy. Moreover, to ensure an appropriate balance between developing the depth and breadth of students’ policy knowledge, all the policy-focused readings concentrate on exploring trends in that field of public policy known as social policy. Students will have an opportunity to develop the analytical skills that are essential to advanced policy studies, while also becoming sufficiently knowledgeable of the changing character of Canadian social policy that they will feel confident assessing and commenting on the social policy decisions of our governments.
Evaluation
Your final grade in POLI 403 will be based on the grades you achieve on the mid-course test, two essays and a final examination. To receive credit for the course, you must complete all of the assignments, achieve a minimum mark of 50 percent on the final examination, and obtain an overall course grade of D (50 percent) or better. The following indicates the assignments for credit and their weighting toward your final grade.
| Activity | Weight |
| Mid-course Test | 20% |
| Course Essay | 20% |
| Research Essay | 30% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Other materials
The course materials include a study guide, student manual, reading file, with online enhancements.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the POLI 403 challenge registration, you must complete all required components, and achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent).
| Activity | Weight |
| Written Assignment 1 | 5% |
| Written Assignment 2 | 10% |
| Written Assignment 3 | 15% |
| Exam | 70% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form