LEGISLATIVE POLITICS

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We will combine the insights from scholarly research, news, and policy analysis to take an in depth look at the structure and operation of Congress. Some of the questions that we will answer over the course of the semester include: Who runs for congressional office and what factors influence their ability to get elected? How do members of Congress engage with and represent their constituents? What is the policy making process in Congress? What role do parties play in the Congress? And, how does Congress interact with the judiciary and executive branches?

This course will involve a mixture of lectures, discussion, and a semester-long congressional simulation. Given this structure, the success of this course hinges on the active participation of students. During the congressional simulation, you will get the opportunity to apply what you learn in the readings and lectures by taking on the role of a current congressional member. You will get to work individually on writing policies and with other members of your party in committees and on the floor to amend and pass legislation.

This course will help you gain the knowledge and develop the necessary skills to achieve the following learning outcomes:

• Describe the role of Congress and its members.
• Explain representation from an individual and institutional perspective.
• Identify and critically evaluate issues of representation.
• Describe and analyze U.S. Congressional elections.
• Describe the structure of the U.S. Congress.
• Analyze the effect of political parties in the U.S. Congress.
• Describe the policy making process in the U.S. Congress.
• Analyze how institutional rules and norms impact the policy making process.
• Identify and evaluate issues of public policy at the federal level.
• Analyze the relationship between Congress and the executive and judicial branches.
• Compare and contrast the structure and operation of Congress to other legislatures.

SYLLABUS