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GOVT215
Congressional Policy Making
GOVT215 SP
Not Currently Offered
This course is an introduction to the politics of
congressional policy making: How the way our members of
Congress are elected affects the way they perform in
Congress. After a brief historical review of the early
years of Congress, the course will focus on the changes
brought about since the 1960s by the rise of the
administrative state; by critical changes in election laws;
by the rise of public action committees (PACs); by the
internal changes in congressional organization, in
leadership power, in the vast growth in congressional staff
support, and in the budget process. We will focus on how
these changes have influenced the relations between the
members and their constituents, between the House and
Senate, between Congress and the president, between Congress
and the media and on how all of this has affected Congress's
role as national lawmaker.
MAJOR READINGS
Several books and articles on Congress and
research on the internet.
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
There will be two written
assignments focused on the readings and class lectures and a
group presentation (both oral and written) providing a
summary and analysis of a book on Congress (each group will
read a different book.) There may be one or two short
assignments directed at promoting class participation at the
instructors discretion. In addition there will be a Mock
Senate Debate and Vote with members of the class playing the
role of Senators and staff. The exercise will require
stduents to work in teams of two and in groups by party
(Republicans and Democrats). Extensive background reading
on the issue to be debated will be required.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
Unless
preregistered students attend the first class meeting or
communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first
class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE:
Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the
Registrar's Office.
COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Lecture
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level: UG Credit: 1.00
Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS GOVT
Prerequisites:
None
Last Updated on MAR-22-1999
Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to
submit comments or suggestions.
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459