Corwin, Meg

English

University of Montana

University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Syllabi Course Syllabi Spring 2-1-2003 PSC 387.01: Legislative Politics Meg Corwin The University Of Montana, meg.corwin@umontana.edu Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Corwin, Meg, "PSC 387.01: Legislative Politics" (2003). Syllabi. 7129. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/syllabi/7129 This Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the Course Syllabi at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Syllabi by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact scholarworks@mso.umt.edu. • Legislative Politics PSC 387 Spring 2003 LA 105 Instructor: Dr. Meg Corwin Office: LA 354 Phone: 243-4418 E-mail: mcorwin@selway.umt.edu Office Hours: M, W - 2:00-3:00, TR - 3:15-4: 15 Assigned Texts: Davidson, Roger H. and Walter J. Oleszek. 2002. Congress and Its Members. gth ed. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. Price, David E. 2000. The Congressional Experience: A View From the Hill. 2°d ed. Boulder: Westview Press. West, Darrell M. and Burdett A. Loomis. 1999. The Sound ofMoney: How Political Interests Get What They Want. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. Assigned Readings on E-Reserve: Patterson, Kelly D. and Daniel M. Shea, eds. Contemplating the People's Branch. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. pp. 13-22, and 70-78. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides an overview of the structure, processes and policy outputs of the U.S. legislature. My goal is for you to become familiar with the theoretical foundations and historical evolution of the legislative branch, to understand the dynamics of Congressional elections, and to develop a working knowledge of Congress as an institution, including procedures, rules, party dynamics, and leadership. During the second half of the term, we will focus on the politics of policymaking in Congress. This will require an examination of the other actors and institutions that help shape national policy output. Interest groups are key players in the policy process, as are the Executive and the Bureaucracy. We want to understand the dynamics of the interaction between Congress and these other actors and institutions. The goal of this section is for you to clearly grasp the 'why' behind the scope and substance ofnational policy in America today. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Students are responsible for all course readings and lectures. Exam questions will be drawn from both these sources. Your grade will be based on two take-home essay exams, a series of short, weekly notebook assignments, and a group project, to be discussed in-depth the first day of class. EVALUATION CRITERIA Midterm exam - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -25% Final exam - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -25% Notebook assignments- - - - - - - - - - - - - -25% Group project- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - 25% 1 Take-home exams will be 5-7 typed, double-spaced pages. Notebook assignments will consist ofa weekly take-home question that requires you to integrate the course readings that cover the following week's topic. Notebooks will be collected periodically, without notice. Attendance can affect your final grade. You will be allowed J unexcused absences. After that, each unexcused absence will result in the lowering of your final letter grade by lQ points. On the other hand, if your final grade is on the borderline between two grades, regular attendance will be weighted in your favor. The class will be organized around lectures, discussions, and group activities. This is a participatory course. You are required to keep up with the assigned readings and attend class each day. Grades will be assigned according to the standard+/- grading system. COURSE OUTLINE and READING ASSIGNMENTS I. Introduction and Overview Origins and Evolution - Struggle and Compromise D&O: Chapter 1&2 P&S: pp. 13-32 (one-reserve) II. Getting There: Congressional Campaigns and Elections Recruitment, Campaign Strategy and Voter Behavior D&O: Chapter 3&4 P&S: pp. 70-78 (one-reserve) Price: Chapter 1,2, 3 and pp. 159-164. III. After the Election Hill Style D&O: pp. 123-137 Price: Chapter 4 Home Style: D&O: pp. 137-156 Price: Chapter 9 IV. Internal Structure and Operation Leadership and Political Parties D&O: Chapter 6 Price: pp. 165-178 Committee Structure D&O: Chapter 7 Price: Chapter 5 V. Policymaking: The Effect of Procedures and Rules D&O: Chapters 8&9 Price: Chapter 6 2 VI. Working With Others Congress and the Executive D&O: Chapter 10 Price: pp. I 78- I 85 Congress and the Bureaucracy D&O: pp. 32I-34I VII. Policymaking: The Politics of Policy The Role of Interest Groups in Congressional Decision-D&O: Chapter I2& pp. 37I-380 W&L: Chapters I-3 Price: Chapter 10 Domestic Policy, Act 1 - Crafting the Budget D&O: pp. 380-396 Price: Chapter 7 Domestic Policy, Act 2 - Case Studies Health Care Reform W &L: Chapter 4 & 7 The Contract With America W &L: Chapter 5 Reforming Telecommunications W &L: Chapter 6 VIII. Conclusion - What Next? D&O: Chapter I5 Price: Chapters I I & I2 Making 3 

PSC 387.01: Legislative Politics

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PSC 387.01: Legislative Politics

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