Policy Studies: Bachelor of Arts Major in Policy Studies
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 goals within the context of existing political and economic system 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 Policy Studies from Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be positioned for future employment with 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 graduate studies in a number of different areas in such positions as policy researcher or sustainability program officer as well as for professional programs such as 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:
- Grade of 'B' in English 12 (or equivalent)
- Grade of 'C' in either Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent) or Applications of Math 12 (or equivalent).
Year Three Admission:
- 60 credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 (including all 1100- and 2000-level major/minor program requirements).
- Grade of 'C' in all required 1000-and 2000-level courses, including the English writing requirement (ENGL 1100 and one of either ENGL 1202 or 1204, or equivalent).
- Two Quantitative courses.
- 12 credits of breadth courses
- Grade of 'C' in either Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent) or Applications of Math 12 (or equivalent).
- Second language at the Grade 11 level or 6 credits of post-secondary language courses in the same language. Note: Students need only achieve a passing grade to fulfill this requirement. Beginner's or Introductory Language 11 courses are ineligible to meet this requirement. Students who can demonstrate competency in a second language may request an assessment to have this requirement waived.
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 Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent) or Applications of Math 12 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:- 60 credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 (including all 1100- and 2000-level major/minor program requirements).
- Grade of 'C' in all required 1000-and 2000-level courses, including the English writing requirement (ENGL 1100 and one of either ENGL 1202 or 1204, or equivalent).
- Two Quantitative courses.
- 12 credits of breadth courses
- Second language at the Grade 11 level or 6 credits of post-secondary language courses in the same language. Note: Students need only achieve a passing grade to fulfill this requirement. Beginner's or Introductory Language 11 courses are ineligible to meet this requirement. Students who can demonstrate competency in a second language may request an assessment to have this requirement waived.
Content
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 interdisciplinary 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. Students will be encouraged to discover the issues that are important to them and their community through academic studies and in the applied courses and projects. They 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.
Integration Learning Outcomes:
These are characterized as “umbrella” courses that integrate various discipline perspectives to policy analysis. This is the core of the program and these courses may be taken over four years or in the last two years of the program.
All of: |
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POST 1100 | Sustainability: Analysis and Ethics | 3 credits | |
POST 3100 | Economics of Sustainability Policy | 3 credits | |
POST 3110 | Applied Policy Seminar I | 3 credits | |
POST 4110 | Applied Policy Seminar II | 3 credits | |
Two additional required courses will be listed in the near future, so please check the department web page in the fall. |
Governance Learning Outcomes:
These provide an understanding of governance, governmental jurisdictions, and the role of stakeholders.
All of: |
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BUSI 1215 | Organizational Behaviour I | 3 credits | |
POLI 1110 | Ideology and Politics | 3 credits | |
POLI 1120 | Canadian Government and Politics | 3 credits | |
POLI 4420 | Issues in Public Policy and Administration | 3 credits | |
Two governance electives (See below) |
Economic Learning Outcomes:
These provide an understanding of economic policy instruments, principles, and links between the economy and social goals
All of: |
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ECON 1150 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 credits | |
ECON 1250 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 credits | |
ECON 2260 | Environmental Economics | 3 credits |
Philosophy Learning Outcomes:
These provide an ability to perform concept analysis, critical thinking, and to be competent in assessing difficult normative issues.
All of: |
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PHIL 1112 | Environmental Philosophy | 3 credits | |
PHIL 2117 | Social and Political Philosophy | 3 credits | |
PHIL 3118 | Ethics and Public Policy | 3 credits | |
PHIL 4117 | Topics in Social and Political Philosophy | 3 credits | |
Two critical thinking electives (See below) |
Scientific Learning Outcomes:
These provide basic numeracy, scientific and environmental literacy, and the ability to apply scientific reasoning.
All of: |
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ENVI 1121 | Environmental Issues (Q) | 3 credits | |
ENVI 3112 | Environment and Society | 3 credits | |
ENVI 3212 | The Urban Environment | 3 credits | |
PHIL 1155 | Introduction to Scientific Reasoning | 3 credits | |
One Statistics or Methods Courses (See below) | |||
Two scientific literacy courses (See below) |
Communications Learning Outcomes:
These provide an ability to communicate clearly and to prepare and present professional reports.
All of: |
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CMNS 3100 | Technical Report Writing | 3 credits | |
ENGL 1100 | Writing, Reading and Thinking: An Introduction | 3 credits | |
One of the approved English 1200 Courses | |||
Two communications electives (See below) |
Workplace Readiness Learning Outcomes:
These provide acquisition of practical workplace skills.
All of: |
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BUSI 2465 | Business Negotiations | 3 credits | |
COOP 1101 | Job Search Techniques | 3 credits |
Electives
Electives must be selected so as to meet the general Bachelor of Arts requirements and must also include:
1. One methods or statistics courses: |
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(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 | |
2 . Two courses from each of the following four categories: |
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Science literacy electives:
(Below is a suggested list. Other significantly equivalent courses may qualify) |
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BIOL 1112 | Biology Today | 3 credits | |
CHEM 1101 | Chemical Sciences Investigation | 3 credits | |
ENVI 2310 | Solid Waste Management | 3 credits | |
GEOG 1110 | Atmospheric Science | 3 credits | |
HORT 1110 | Sustainable Horticulture | 3 credits | |
HORT 1119 | Landscape and Environment | 3 credits | |
Communications and awareness electives:
(Below is a suggested list. Other significantly equivalent courses may qualify) |
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CMNS 1140 | Communications | 3 credits | |
CRIM 4301 | Community Advocacy | 3 credits | |
ENGL 2300 | Writing and Research Skills | 3 credits | |
ENGL 3380 | Popular Writing | 3 credits | |
JRNL 1100 | Explorations in Mass Communications | 3 credits | |
MRKT 1199 | Marketing | 3 credits | |
Critical thinking and ethics electives:
(Below is a suggested list. Other significantly equivalent courses may qualify) |
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ANTH 2160 | Culture and Environment | 3 credits | |
PHIL 1145 | Critical Thinking | 3 credits | |
PHIL 1150 | Basic Logic | 3 credits | |
PHIL 3109 | Morals | 3 credits | |
POLI 1110 | Ideology and Politics | 3 credits | |
Governance electives:
(Below is a suggested list. Other significantly equivalent courses may qualify) |
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BUSI 1215 | Organizational Behaviour | 3 credits | |
CRIM 1107 | Canadian Legal Systems | 3 credits | |
ECON 2255 | Globalization | 3 credits | |
ENTR 3110 | Advanced Organizational Behavior | 3 credits | |
ENVI 2405 | Environmental Law | 3 credits | |
POLI 1123 | Municipal Politics | 3 credits | |
POLI 2235 | BC Politics | 3 credits | |
POLI 3145 | Borderlands | 3 credits | |
POLI 3160 | International Organizations | 3 credits | |
SOCI 3345 | Policy in Context | 3 credits |
Graduation
Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Policy Studies.