2012-13 University Calendar
 Kwantlen Polytechnic University  Calendar  2012-13  Faculty of Arts  Policy Studies: Bachelor of Arts Major

Policy Studies: Bachelor of Arts Major

Description

The aim of the Bachelor of Arts Policy Studies Major is to create a degree with a strong applied and interdisciplinary focus. Policy analysis identifies goals and values and determines how best to achieve those within the context of existing political and economic systems while taking into account the competing interests of the various stakeholders. The program draws primarily from Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics, and uses sustainability as a unifying theme. Sustainability at a policy level is understood as the ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Meeting present and future needs requires that policy be environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. As economies and consumers are forced to recognize the limits of our ecosystems and the social justice issues that arise from this, there is a pressing need for effective social policy that recognizes these issues. Therefore, students will learn to evaluate policy to ensure it meets sustainability principles.

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Policy Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be positioned for employment within the three levels of government, not for profit and private sector companies, and quasi-governmental agencies such as Crown Corporations. Equipped with strong communications, research and critical thinking skills, graduates of this interdisciplinary degree will be prepared for positions such as policy researchers or sustainability program officers, as well as for graduate studies such as policy analysis and law.

Program Admission Requirements

In addition to Kwantlen's General university admission requirements, including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:

Year One Admission:

Year Three Admission:

Qualifying Year

Students who do not qualify upon initial application to Kwantlen may be eligible for entry to the Qualifying Year. Students who possess at least a 'C' in English 12 (or equivalent) and a passing grade in either Pre-Calculus 11, Principles of Math 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Applications of Math 12 (or equivalents) will be able to apply for entry to the BA Qualifying Year. Students will be admitted to the BA program in the second year provided they have successfully completed appropriate qualifying courses. Other applicants who do not qualify are encouraged to consult an Educational Advisor for the appropriate qualifying courses that satisfy the application criteria.

Program Continuance Requirements

Current BA students must meet the following requirements to continue into their 3rd year of study. Registration access to third or fourth year courses is first awarded to students who have completed the following:

Program Requirements

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete all requirements in the Bachelor of Arts Framework in addition to their major or minor program requirements.

Policy Studies Major

The degree is designed around several integrative or “umbrella” courses and applied seminars. Each of the required "umbrella" courses will present the elements of policy analysis from the perspective of one of the main disciplines. The applied seminars provide real life situations to which students can apply what they have learned in the umbrella courses. The applied seminars are also designed to foster mentorship of students by professional practitioners who will be responsible for teaching those courses. Students will be given the opportunity to work with local governments and community groups to effect positive change. In addition, library modules have been incorporated into each of these six courses where students will be able to work closely with librarians to learn the research and information literacy skills essential to effective policy studies.

1000 Level

All of the following are required:
  POST 1100 Sustainability: Analysis and Ethics 3 credits
  POLI 1110 Ideology and Politics 3 credits
  POLI 1120 Canadian Government and Politics 3 credits
  ECON 1150 Principles of Microeconomics 3 credits
  ECON 1250 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 credits
  ENVI 1121 Environmental Issues 3 credits
  PHIL 1112 Environmental Ethics 3 credits
  PHIL 1155 Introduction to Scientific Reasoning 3 credits
  COOP 1101 Job Search Techniques 3 credits

2000 Level

And all of:
  POST 2100 Sustainability and Government 3 credits
  PHIL 2117 Social and Political Philosophy 3 credits
  ECON 2260 Environmental Economics 3 credits

3000 and 4000 Level

And all of:
  POST 3100 Economics of Sustainability Policy 3 credits
  POST 3110 Applied Policy Seminar I 3 credits
  POST 4110 lied Policy Seminar II 3 credits
  POST 4150 Psychology and Sustainability: Attitudes and Behaviour 3 credits
  CMNS 3100 Technical Report Writing 3 credits
And one of:
  PHIL 3118 Ethics and Public Policy 3 credits
  PHIL 4117 Topics in Social and Political Philosophy 3 credits
And one of:
  POLI 3160 International Organization 3 credits
  POLI 4420 Issues in Public Policy and Administration 3 credits
And one of:
  ENVI 3112 Environment and Society 3 credits
  ENVI 3212 The Urban Environment 3 credits
And one methods or statistics courses:
  (Below is a suggested list. Other significantly equivalent courses may qualify)
  ACCT 1230 Business Statistics 3 credits
  CRIM 2103 Quantitative Data Analysis I 3 credits
  CRIM 3103 Quantitative Data Analysis II 3 credits
  MATH 1115 Statistics I 3 credits
  MATH 2315 Probability and Statistics 3 credits
  MATH 2335 Statistics for Life Sciences 3 credits
  MATH 2341 Introduction to Statistics for Business 3 credits
  PSYC 2300 Applied Statistics 3 credits
  PSYC 2400 Experimental Psychology: Research Methods 3 credits
  PSYC 3300 Applied Statistics II 3 credits

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Policy Studies.

Last Updated: Aug 9, 2012

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