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Congressional Policy Making
GOVT215 SP

This course is an introduction to the politics of congressional policy making and to 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 pow er, 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 presiden t, 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 wo rk 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: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000

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