MIPP COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The MIPP students will complete a total of 12 courses over three consecutive terms (fall, winter, and spring), including the six mandatory courses.
Students will specialize in one area of public policy by completing all three courses offered in one of four thematic fields in the winter and spring terms: international environmental policy, human security, international economic relations, and global migration.
Finally, students complete three elective courses; electives can include any other IP courses outside of their chosen field of specialization, or other graduate courses offered at either Laurier or the University of Waterloo (with the written permission of the MIPP program director). Students may elect to specialize in two thematic fields but should be aware that this will be easier for some combinations of fields than for others (some combinations may not be possible in any given academic year, depending on course scheduling), and that pursuing this option will reduce the number of elective courses they may take.
More information can be found on the MIPP page of Laurier’s Graduate Academic calendar.
Required Courses
Foundational Courses (Fall term)
IP 601 – Public Sector Economics and the Global Economy
The goal of economic efficiency focuses on achieving the best outcomes for society given its fixed resources. In this course, students examine public sector choices of tax and expenditure policies to achieve that goal. Particular attention is paid to the constraints imposed on policy choices of national and sub-national governments by ever-greater integration of nation-states.
IP 602 – Tools for Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
In a world of finite resources, politicians, policy analysts and the public need information to determine which policies or programs are effective in meeting their diverse goals. This course trains students as skilled users and consumers of the quantitative and qualitative information commonly found in policy studies, evaluations and reports. The course includes training in the acquisition, manipulation and analysis of data, the use of common statistical software, and the critical evaluation of empirical studies.
IP 603 – Comparative Public Policy
This course examines core concepts and theories relating to the definition, design, implementation and evaluation of public policies and the influence of the global economy for these processes. A cross-national approach is used to explore how globalization has shaped the issues and dynamics that confront politicians and administrators in formulating and implementing domestic policies as well as those policies that play out in the international context.
IP 604 – Politics, Policy and Globalization
The complicated processes of economic, political, and social change that have recently accelerated the human, economic and ecological interconnections around the world present numerous global governance challenges. This course tackles these by focusing on the conceptual questions in the contemporary social science literatures that interpret globalization's political and policy implications.
Interdisciplinary Seminars
IP 605 - Building Policy Skills: Interdisciplinary Seminar 1 (Winter term)
In this required course, MIPP students come together to do intensive research projects in their chosen field while developing their writing, presentation, and other professional skills.
IP 606 - Bringing it all together: Interdisciplinary Seminar 2 (Spring term)
In this required course, MIPP students come together to work on capstone policy projects that allow them to utilize and further hone the core skills they have acquired in the program.
Field Courses (Winter and Spring terms)
Complete all three courses offered in one of four thematic fields.
Global Migration
IP 607 – The Economics of International Trade and Migration
An overview of international trade economics, and the economics of migration. The trade economics module includes trade theory plus applications to a number of policy-relevant issues such as trade negotiations, protectionism, linkages of trade to income distribution and growth, linkages of trade to the environment, and the institutions of the international trading regime. The migration module covers economic analysis of policies that affect migrants. Other topics could include education, fertility, ageing, demographics, gender, remittances and development.
IP 642 – The Social Politics of Migration
The course examines the politics of migration ranging from international migration governance regimes to immigration and integration policy at national levels. Attention is given to mechanisms of migration governance, and levers for political change and for enhancing rights and social protection. Some course themes may include: citizenship, pluralism and governing diversity; social cohesion and public attitudes to immigration; politics of migrant rights and transnational social movements; securitization and enforcement; and policy responses to contemporary migration and population crises.
IP 643 – Special Topics in Migration
This course focuses on challenges and innovations of governing populations in the context of mobility and growing international migration. Specific course topics may include: protection gaps for vulnerable and/or mobile populations; im/mobilities, borders and securitization, bilateral and international governance mechanisms for the protection of rights (e.g., bilateral labour migration agreements; standardized contracts; international conventions pertaining to migration, trafficking, etc.); access to social protection and health care for mobile populations.
Human Security
IP608 – The Economics of Human Security and the Environment
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights refers to rights related to an adequate standard of living, adequate medical care, and to education. Good health requires a healthy environment. This course considers domestic and international aspects of a number of economic policies related to issues such as income distribution, health care, education, economic development, environmental protection and climate change.
IP632 – The Politics of Human Security
This course explores the ethical, analytical, and policymaking challenges associated with the two dimensions of human security: "freedom from fear" and "freedom from want". The former refers to policies and activities developed to assist people in conflicts or under threat of violence, such as humanitarian intervention and the creation of international regimes to alleviate harm. The second dimension focuses on the social, political, and economic conditions that lead to or arise from both humanitarian emergencies and longer-term inequalities.
IP633 – Special Topics in Human Security
This course takes a detailed look at public policies in one particular area of human security. Possible topics include economic human rights, nutrition and food aid, economic development and poverty reduction.
International Economic Relations
IP607 – The Economics of International Trade and Migration
An overview of international trade economics, and the economics of migration. The trade economics module includes trade theory plus applications to a number of policy-relevant issues such as trade negotiations, protectionism, linkages of trade to income distribution and growth, linkages of trade to the environment, and the institutions of the international trading regime. The migration module covers economic analysis of policies that affect migrants. Other topics could include education, fertility, ageing, demographics, gender, remittances and development.
IP622 – Power and Policy in the Global Economy
This course covers the politics of international economic relations. It focuses on the ways in which power, interests, institutions and ideas shape policy-making in the global political economy, and on the various kinds of actors that take part in the process. Topics covered include trade, regional integration, money and finance, foreign direct investment, development aid, natural resources and energy, agriculture, and the illicit/criminal side of the global economy.
IP623 – Special Topics in International Economic Relations
This course takes a detailed look at public policies in one particular area of international economic relations. Possible topics include global immigration regimes, labour adjustment policies, multinational organizations and international business, the geography of commerce, and the role and functions of central banks in global finance.
International Environmental Policy
IP608 – The Economics of Human Security and the Environment
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights refers to rights related to an adequate standard of living, adequate medical care, and to education. Good health requires a healthy environment. This course considers domestic and international aspects of a number of economic policies related to issues such as income distribution, health care, education, economic development, environmental protection and climate change.
IP612 – Earth Governance: The Politics and Law of Environmental Policy
This course delves into key issues and policy debates in global environmental governance and law, examining the roles of different actors, paradigms and mechanisms within a broader setting characterized by unequal political and economic power. In addition to exploring cross-cutting questions about the evolving shape of international law and earth governance, the course will probe the interaction between policy directions and human-environment relationships in the context of specific issue areas like water, forests, fisheries and biodiversity.
IP613 – Special Topics in International Environmental Policy
This special topics course focuses on selected issues relating to international environmental policy. Possible topics include environmental planning and management, social and environmental sustainability, environmental monitoring and assessment, and water management.