R SOC 551 - Engagement and Public Policy

3 units (fi 6)(EITHER, 3-0-0)

Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences

Public engagement has become increasingly prevalent within contemporary democratic systems of government. This course explores the rationales behind the growth of engagement, and critically examines evolving practice and institutional uptake. An important theme of the course involves and examination of the degree to which citizen engagement contributes to policy and governance adaptation, particularly in response to calls for governance innovations in the face of complex and persistent policy challenges (for instance as related to sustainability or social justice).