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Public policy is broadly defined as an “intentional course of action followed by a government institution or official for resolving an issue of public concern” (Cochran et al. 2009). The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of the public policy process in the United States, including how problems make it to the government’s agenda, the actors and institutions involved in policymaking, and the ways in which policies are formulated, implemented, and evaluated. This course highlights major policy issues in the United States with an eye towards identifying causes of these issues and examining possible policy solutions. In addition, we will explore foundational strategies of policy analysis and learn how to critically evaluate the merits of various policy alternatives.
POLS 101 (American Government and Politics); and junior standing
Morgann Means received her PhD in 2023 from Colorado State University. Her current research focuses on sustainable cities in the U.S. with an emphasis on analyzing the role of citizen participation in sustainable communities, as well as the impact of natural disaster vulnerability on cities' economic and environmental policy decisions. Dr. Means is passionate about teaching a variety of Political Science courses. She enjoys helping her students develop a deep understanding of current political issues and the real-world implications of policy decisions being made at each level of government.