Major Writing Assignment Critical Policy Analysis (4000 words) The major writing assignment draws comparisons across the course readings.

The goal is to critically analyze a problematic [Canadian] public policy using, in part, the developmental models discussed in the course. In this way, students should develop an argumentative paper that appraises some of the major themes, methods and concepts of the readings. A minimum of 8 references are required. Papers should follow the basic guidelines below and should use subtitles to distinguish between the various sections. o Introduction o

Part I: Policy Overview and Analysis: This section should describe, in detail, a specific public policy (or policy field). Students should note the basic objective[s] of the policy (including the social problem it seeks to address) and describe its major impacts (or potential implications) before highlighting its inherent limitations or weaknesses. o

Part II – Conceptual Application: This section should describe the forces that have impacted the development (and or evolution) of your policy. The point here is to offer evidence to support the explanatory significance of the model(s) discussed in class. This section of your paper, in other words, will attempt to explain the nature and development of your selected policy by applying one or more of the theoretical approaches/models examined in the course. Note: the problems and weaknesses highlighted in Part I should be reflected in (or consistent with) the specific nature of your theoretic application in

Part II o Summary Comments – This section should not only summarize your analysis but (1) discuss how your selected policy could be improved and (2) explore, briefly, the forces/processes/relations limiting policy change. Your discussion here should draw on and build from the substantive content developed in Part I and Part II; it should, in other words, follow logically from your previous analysis. You are strongly advised to keep an electronic and hard copy of your essay. They should be kept until the marked assignment has been returned.

Late papers submitted without proper supporting documentation will be penalized 10% a day (including weekends). Students are encouraged to draw on their areas of expertise in preparing this assignment and to look at a policy issue relevant to their field of interest.

Using the globalization policy model.