Course Description
This course introduces students to economic decision-making in the public sector. The role of taxation, expenditure, and economic regulation in the design of social policy is explained and analyzed. Students will apply the principles, and analyze the practices, of public management in the context of the Canadian economy. This course allows students to explore and critically evaluate the differences between private sector and public sector decision-making in reference to resource valuation, resource allocation and provision of public services. It provides an explanation and analysis of the many public institutions in Canada under the federal, provincial and municipal authority, and their role in regulating economic behaviour. It examines the role of the bureaucracy in the context of changing domestic and international forces.
Means of Assessment
| Mid-term examination(s) |
25% - 35% |
| Essay, Project |
20% - 30% |
| Participation, Assignments |
0% - 10% |
| Final Examination |
30% - 35% |
| Total |
100% |
Students may conduct research as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans, which can require obtaining Informed Consent from participants and getting the approval of the Douglas College Research Ethics Board prior to conducting the research.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- Explain and evaluate the similarities and differences between the public and private sector.
- Explain and critique the theory of public organization and administration.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of policy making.
- Develop ways to implement policy and to measure performance.
- Accomplish project evaluation (contingent valuation)
- Analyze and apply the principles of economic regulation.
- Define and evaluate the role of Crown Corporations and Regulatory Agencies.
- Analyze and explain the nature of financial resources and spending limitations.
- Apply decision-making principles in the context of changing international and domestic forces.
- Explain and analyze the nature of Federal-Provincial relations.
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
One of: (instructor’s choice)
Kernaghan, Ken and David Siegal, “Public Administration in Canada”
Brander, James, “Government Policy Toward Business”
Dunn, Christopher, “The Handbook of Canadian Public Administration”
Inwood, Gregory, "Understanding Canadian Public Administration: Theory and Practice"
or text approved by department.