Political Science 304: Legislative Process

 
Professor Stacy Gordon                                     Office Hours: Tues 11-12 & by appt.
Office Phone: 784-4675                                     Email: sgordon@unr.nevada.edu
Office: 237 Mack Social Science

 

Expectations of the Students

 It is hoped that this course will help students develop a complete understanding of the United States Congress.  The founders expected Congress to be the truly representative branch of government and the focus in this class will be on the nature of representation in congressional behavior.  We will be asking, and collectively answering, questions such as: What do we consider to be “good” representation?  What are the incentives for legislators to represent their constituents?  What are the incentives for the representation of other, non-geographic groups?  How do (1) the organization of Congress, (2) political parties and (3) the other branches of government influence the level of representation that congresspeople provide?
 The required readings are listed on the following pages.  All readings are from the three books listed. The readings provide a basis of knowledge from which the lectures proceed.  I often refer to the readings briefly to point out examples, etc.  Therefore, lecture will be difficult to follow unless the readings have been completed prior to class.
 

Grading

Exams (Midterms 20% each; final exam 25%)
There are two midterms and a final.  The questions from the exams will be drawn equally from the readings and the lectures.  They will include identification and essay questions, so please bring a blue book.  I will go over the format in more detail prior to the exam.  Missed exams will NOT be made up for any reason.  If you have a doctor’s note for the missed exam, your final exam will be worth 45% of your class grade.

The purpose of the discussion sections prior to each exam is to outline what we have learned, to answer questions and to give more examples as necessary.  I will not go over any specific concepts unless (1) I am specifically asked to or (2) I have received numerous questions in office hours.  Therefore, you must be prepared to ask questions.

The midterm exams are on October 23rd and November 20th.   The final exam will be announced as the exam period approaches.
 

Participation (10%)

Participation in class discussions is important.  My lectures are often Socratic in nature.  Thus, there will be opportunities for students to offer examples, ask/answer questions, be critical of the readings, theories and/or lectures.  Participation includes speaking up in class and any in-class assignments that pop-up during the semester.
 

Paper Assignment (25%)

You will have a choice of completing a 7-10 page individual paper or a 15-20 page GROUP paper assignment worth 25% of your total grade (no more than four people per group).  Specifics regarding the paper assignment are attached to the syllabus.   Papers will be due December 6th at the beginning of class.  Late papers will not be accepted for any reason.  If you tend to have computer problems or your dog has an affinity for term papers, plan to turn your paper in early.  You will lose 1/3 of a grade every day that the paper is late (including weekends) including any papers turned in after the beginning of class on December 6th.

Every Thursday for the first two/thirds of the semester something will be due for your papers (see syllabus).  No matter how simple these assignments seem, they are expected to be typed or they will not be accepted.  Each group member or individual must also keep a copy of the assignments as I will keep the copies you turn in for the purposes of grading your final paper.  You or your group will be allowed one missed homework assignment without penalty.  Each additional missed assignment will lead to one full grade reduction in your paper grade.
 
 

Other information of which you should be aware

Cheating, plagiarism and other acts of academic dishonesty will, at the least, result in a failing grade in this class.  Self-plagiarism is cheating and will result in a failing grade as well.

Students with disabilities often have special needs. If you are a student with physical, educational or other disability-related needs, please make me aware of any accommodations you require.  I am more than happy to work with you in any way necessary.  All discussions of this nature will be confidential.

Required Books

Davidson and Olezak.  Congress and Its Members.
Weisberg et al.  Classics in Congressional Politics
Mayhew.  Congress: The Electoral Connection.

Readings and Lectures

Aug 28                   Introduction                                                  Start reading Mayhew
 
PART I: CONGRESSIONAL ORGANIZATION: THE BASIS OF REPRESENTATION AND POWER
Aug 30               NO CLASS

Sept 4               The study of Congress                                      Chapter 1: Weisberg

Sept 6                Developing a definition of representation          Chapter 1: Davidson/Olezak

PAPER: Turn in a list of the names of those in your group if you chose the group option.

Sept 11 thru 13 Institutionalization                                             Chapter 2: Davidson/Olezak
                                                                                                Chapters 2-4: Weisberg

PAPER: Turn in (1) the state and district number of your congressperson (one for each member of the group), (2) the name and party of your legislator, and (3) a general summary what your district is like economically, socially, and politically.

Sept 18 thru 20  Representation Theory                                    Chapter 5: Davidson/Olezak
                                                                                                Chapters 5-7: Weisberg

   PAPER: Turn in a biography of your legislator and a list of his/her major Issues in the last campaign. If you are in a group, explain what issues your legislators have in common.
 

Finish Mayhew by February September 25th


Sept 25           Elections                                                          Chapters 3-4:Davidson/Olezak
                                                                                              Chapters 8-11: Weisberg

Sept 27           Procedure                                                      Chapter 8: Davidson/Olezak
                                                                                             Chapter 15: Weisberg.

PAPER: What legislative issue are you going to make the centerpiece of your time in this session of congress (NOTE: if you are in a group, it must be the some issue that all your members have in common).  Give some brief background on the issue and explain why you are focusing on this particular policy area.

Oct 2            Committee Structure                                         Chapter 7: Davidson/Olezak
                                                                                             Chapters 16-19: Weisberg

Oct 4 thru 9  Decision making                                               Chapter 9: Davidson/Olezak
                                                                                            Chapters 24-27: Weisberg

PAPER: Given the issue you have decided to focus on, which interest groups have contributed money to your legislator?  How much money has s/he received relative to other legislators?  Do you think this will have an impact on your decisionmaking in regards to this policy area?

Oct 11 thru 16  Leadership & Political Parties                    Chapter 6: Davidson/Olezak
                                                                                         Chapters 20-23: Weisberg

PAPER: Are your constituents interested in this issue area?  Why or why not?  How will this affect your activity/strategy on your legislation?

Oct 18 thru 23  DISCUSSION & MIDTERM
 

PART II:  THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CONGRESS AND THE OTHER PLAYERS IN THE POLICY PROCESS
Oct 25 thru 30   Congress & Interest Groups                    Chapter 12: Davidson/Olezak

  PAPER: Is the president likely to support your legislation?  Why or why not?  How might this help or hurt you?

Nov 1               Congress & the President                        Chapter 10: Davidson/Olezak

Nov 6              Congress & the Bureaucracy                    Chapter 11: Davidson/Olezak

Nov 8              Congress & the Courts

PAPER: Are you likely to get the support of your party leaders for your legislation?  What about the opposition party leaders?

Nov 13           Issue and Reforms

Nov 15 thru 20  DISCUSSION AND MIDTERM
 

PART III:  POLICY MAKING AND SPECIAL TOPICS


Nov 22          THANKSGIVING--NO CLASS

Nov 27           Domestic Policy Making and the Budget      Chapter 13: Davidson/Olezak

Nov 29           Foreign Policy Making                                 Chapter 14: Davidson/Olezak

  PAPER: What special tools does your legislator have to see his/her legislation through the process?

Dec 4           Special Topics: Careerism and Term Limits

 Dec 6          Special Topics: The Impact of Bicameralism  or  The Role of Legislative Staff
 

YOUR PAPER IS DUE TODAY, December 6th


Dec 11  DISCUSSION