Specializations

The policy issues associated with the practices and changing forms of communication. Students in this specialization will pursue common specialization requirements, and choose 3.0 credits in one of two subsidiary policy streams, within the 8 credits required for this specialization:

Policy Stream in Communication Technologies and Regulation: Policies concerned with publishing, broadcasting, telecommunications, internet, information systems; impact of digital and other technological transformations; regulatory regimes and rights (expression, access and privacy).

Policy Stream in Strategic Public Opinion: Policy advocacy and persuasion, strategic communication, polling and opinion research, political campaigns and market intelligence.

Policies to promote legal, political and economic advances to improve conditions in underdeveloped countries or disadvantaged communities domestically. Students in this specialization will pursue common specialization requirements, and choose 3.5 credits in one of two subsidiary policy streams, within the 8 credits required for this specialization:

Policy Stream in Rights and Human Development: International and comparative national/regional social, political development issues and human rights.

Policy Stream in Global Economic Relations: The economic and related political dimensions of globalization and development challenges, the local impact of international economic policies (e.g., trade, finance and monetary).

Policy Stream in Indigenous Policy: relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in historical context; current issues affecting Indigenous peoples; Indigenous perspectives on policy, and policy making with Indigenous peoples.

The international issues and policy challenges facing states and international institutions in an increasingly connected world. Students in this specialization will pursue common specialization requirements, and choose 3.5 credits in one of two subsidiary policy streams, within the 8 credits required for this specialization:

Policy Stream in International Relations and Conflict: International responses to, and management of, problems related to international peace and conflict.

Policy Stream in Security and Intelligence: Responses to terrorism, international and national security policies, intelligence and threat assessments, defence policy, and the political and legal implications of these policies.

This specialization focuses on the analytical and managerial public policy skills, and an understanding of pressing public issues of concern to Canadian governments and NGOs. Students in this specialization will pursue common specialization requirements, and choose 3.5 credits in one of three policy streams, within the 8 credits required for this specialization:

Policy Stream in Social Policy: Policies concerned with social welfare and income security, health and education.

Policy Stream in Economic Policy: Policies concerned with the public operations and activities under federal, provincial and municipal jurisdictions, related fiscal and taxation issues, relations between public and private sectors.

Policy Stream in Environmental & Sustainable Energy Policy: Local, regional, national and international environmental and energy policies, protection of environments and integrity of air, water, land, flora and fauna, managing energy demands and sustainable alternative sources.

Policy Stream in Indigenous Policy: relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in historical context; current issues affecting Indigenous peoples; Indigenous perspectives on policy, and policy making with Indigenous peoples.