Policy Studies (POST)
This is a list of the Policy Studies (POST) courses available at KPU.
Enrolment in some sections of these courses is restricted to students in particular programs. See the Course Planner - kpu.ca/registration/timetables - for current information about individual courses.
For information about transfer of credit amongst institutions in B.C. and to see how individual courses transfer, go to the BC Transfer Guide bctransferguide.ca
POST 11003 Credits
Sustainability: Analysis and Ethics
Students will study elements of traditional philosophy courses such as critical thinking, philosophy of science, and ethics to provide a detailed analysis of a variety of concepts of sustainability. They will examine sustainability policies and practices related to the environment, social equity, and economics.
Note: Students in the Policy Studies (POST) program must take POST 1100, the first of four umbrella courses required for this degree. This course is cross-listed with PHIL 1111. Students may not get credit for both courses.
POST 21003 Credits
Sustainability and Government
Students will explore environmental sustainability as an issue in Canadian politics. They will examine the evolution of the environmental movement in Canada, and study the linkages between environmental concerns and Canadian political culture, parties, advocacy organizations, federal-provincial relations, domestic and foreign policy, and other areas of interest.
Note: Students may earn credits for only one of POST 2100 or POLI 2100 as they are cross-listed courses.
Prerequisites: 6 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher
POST 29003 Credits
Special Topics
Students will explore a selected topic in policy and/or sustainability. They will conduct research to develop an understanding of the topic. Note: This is a lecture-based course with extensive class discussion. The area of study will be established in advance by the department. Students may take this course twice on different topics. It is recommended that students take POST 1100.
Prerequisites: 6 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher
POST 31003 Credits
Economics of Sustainability Policy
Students will study current sustainability issues and policies from an economic perspective. Students will learn about the Neoclassical Growth Theory. The students will study several topics including: the values and the limitations of the alternative measures of economic welfare, policy reports and studies, and the implications of complementarity between natural and human-made capital.
Note: Students may earn credit for only one of ECON 3100 and POST 3100 as they are identical courses.
Prerequisites: ECON 1150 and ECON 1250
POST 31103 Credits
Applied Policy Seminar I
Students will study a specific set of applications of the principles of sustainability policy under the guidance of a practitioner. They will work in groups and examine specific situations and case studies to gain an insight into the practical difficulties of decision making and policy setting as it applies to real-life situations. They will study how concepts of ethics, governance, and economics are integrated. They will analyze the sustainability aspects of projects on topics such as water conservation, climate change mitigation, or food security.
Prerequisites: 60 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher
POST 41103 Credits
Applied Policy Seminar II
Students will study applications of policy, with a focus on sustainability, under the guidance of a practitioner. They will examine complex real-life situations and case studies, such as impacts of policy decisions on climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, subsidized housing, green space conservation, and others. They will study how concepts of ethics, governance, and economics, as well as the psychology of public behavior, are integrated into policy decision-making for sustainability. They will work in groups on a specific project, liaise with community stakeholders, and make recommendations for action in a formal presentation to stakeholders.
NOTE: Students may earn credit for only one of POLI 4110 or POST 4110 as they are identical courses.
Prerequisites: Either (a) POST 3110, or (b) 18 credits from POLI courses at the 1100 level or higher, including POLI 2100, and SOCI 2260.
POST 41503 Credits
Psychology and Sustainability: Attitudes and Behaviour
Students will explore the challenges involved in changing attitudes and behaviour as it pertains to sustainability policy. They will examine the foundations of attitudes, how they are formed, changed and their relationship to behaviour. Students will also learn what makes persuasion campaigns effective, as well as individual and social factors that interfere with attitude-behaviour consistency. They will learn to apply this knowledge to the evaluation of sustainability policy designed to change attitudes and behaviour.
Note (1): This course is a requirement for the BA in Policy Studies. For Psychology students this course counts as a general elective not a Psychology Major/Minor credit.
Note (2): This course is cross-listed as PSYC 4150. Students who have taken PSYC 4150 may not register for this course. Students may earn credits from only one of POST 4150 or PSYC 4150.
Prerequisites: 60 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher
POST 49003 Credits
Special Topics
Students will examine a selected topic in policy studies and/or sustainability. They will critically analyze relevant literature and develop a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Students will examine and evaluate recent developments in the specific field, assess the implications of these developments, and identify future directions of research or policy development. Note: This is a seminar course. The area of study will be established in advance by the department. Students may take this course up to three times on different topics.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including 3 credits of POST and 3 credits of ENGL