The purpose of this course is to provide an economic framework for the analysis of public policy. The course uses microeconomic concepts to examine when and how the government should intervene in the economy. Using the starting point of policy as intervention, the course examines the circumstances under which government involvement is most likely to be desirable. The course then moves to consider the key instruments that government uses in its intervention. In the examination of these two broad issues, the course pays particular attention to how people and firms behave and how they are likely to respond to policy instruments. The course also develops the key concepts associated with cost-benefit analysis and shows how these concepts are used in the analysis of public policy.

This course focuses on the politics of aggregating individual decisions into collective action, revealing the difficulty of formulating and implementing public policy broadly construed. The course readings emphasize formal approaches to this subject, while the assignments and discussion emphasize their application to real problems.

In this course, students examine the manner in which decisions are made in organizations, with a particular focus on policy decisions. The course uses a wide variety of behavioural theories to look at phenomena such as policy traps, framing, unwarranted optimism, and group thinking.

This course examines key readings in the public policy literature and provides students with an overview of key concepts and outcomes from political science, economics, sociology, and law that are germane to the theory and practice of public policy. The aim of the course is to provide the participants with a greater understanding of classical and contemporary theories of public policy and the ability to critically analyze and compare public policy. The material covered in the course serves as the foundation for the PhD comprehensive exam.

Focuses on the analysis of the processes whereby public policies arise and are enacted in Canada. The course compares theories and models of policy making and decision-making to illustrate the special requirements of the Canadian environment and examines the roles of various participants in the policy process: legislators, political parties, interest groups, administrators and administrative structures, citizens, and the judiciary.

This course will introduce students to applied policy analysis and key policy research methods including interviews, focus groups and surveys. As an applied project class students will work with faculty and representatives from the Saskatchewan Government to conduct a policy analytic review for a provincial ministry.

Another course on policy analysis, as recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Graduate Chair.

This course provides students with the statistical concepts and techniques required for conducting research and critically evaluating empirical studies. Topics include statistical inference, sampling theory, and data and regression analysis as applied to problems in public policy.

This course provides students with the opportunity to learn and practice inquiry processes for conducting qualitative research. Students will examine the following topics: issues in qualitative data (ontology, epistemology, methodology and method), collection of qualitative data (e.g., interviewing, ethnography, focus groups, case studies), analysis of data, and combining qualitative and quantitative data.

Another methods course, as recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Graduate Chair.

This course will review the historical development of the Canadian healthcare system and its supporting principles, governance structures and fiscal arrangements; and examine contemporary structures and relationships. Issues such as benefit coverage, health human resources, user fees, pharmaceuticals, regional health boards, and health reform in a comparative context will be examined.

This course examines how societal institutions and policy shape the role played by co-operatives in the economy, and how co-operative practices and innovations have in turn shaped these institutions and policy. Combining theoretical insights from the areas of institutions, economics, organizational behaviour, law and policy with case studies of co-operative organizations, the course allows students to develop their knowledge of the actions that both the state and co-operatives have undertaken, and provides students with a conceptual framework within which these actions can be viewed.

The social economy includes non-profit, community-based organizations, and co-operatives. This course focuses on how these organizations interplay with the public policies of different levels of government. Using case studies, students will examine administrative public policy, such as how the social economy is funded and how it is evaluated and held accountable, as well as substantive public policy, including community capacity building and partnership development. The course also includes a field trip to learn about local social economy organizations at work and guest lecturers, including both researchers and practitioners.

This graduate course is designed as a special topic course in the theory and practice of innovation policy. The graduate students will investigate the theory, methodology and applications of innovation policy through primary readings, discourse and writing.

This course begins with the historic framework for contemporary public policy established by treaties, reserves and legislation. Then it examines contemporary developments, including constitutional negotiations, influential court cases, urbanization, comprehensive claims and self-government implementation. This course is intended to provide a basis for critically assessing political and administrative decision-making and policy outcomes.

An interdisciplinary course that offers a comparative and historical perspective on social policy development, in Canada and in other advanced industrial countries.

This course outlines the existential threat to global water systems, set within the context of rapid population and economic growth, unsustainable water use, climate change, and ineffective management and policy. It explores the challenge of how to manage complex water systems in an era of deep uncertainty.

Another policy course, as recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Graduate Chair.

Located on Treaty 4 lands, the University of Regina is situated on the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. 

As the provincial capital, Regina is home to Saskatchewan's Legislative Building which sits near the beautiful Wascana Lake. The Legislative Building is also the main backdrop to the University of Regina's College Avenue Building and home of the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School. A short distance from the main campus, the historic and recently renovated College Avenue Campus is located close to downtown Regina. 

Referred to by many as the "Queen City", Regina is home to 230,000+ residents and is the main hub for many provincial public servants as well as municipal employees.

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Located in Saskatoon on Treaty 6 lands, the University of Saskatchewan is situated on the territories of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dene, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. 

A quick 2.5-hour drive from Regina, Saskatoon is located in the central part of Saskatchewan near the South Saskatchewan River Valley. The city boasts many attractive walking trails, a vibrant social scene, and a welcoming place for all. Situated on the northwest side of campus in the Diefenbaker Building, the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School overlooks the South Saskatchewan River and the core downtown area.

Referred to by many as the "Paris of the Prairies", Saskatoon is home to 273,000+ residents and is home to many federal public servants, industry and scientific leaders, as well as municipal employees.

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