The American Congress

Catalog description

This course examines the structure, rules, and procedures of Congress: the foremost national institution of political representation in American democracy. The course also explores the place of Congress place in contemporary American politics; its often-contentious relationship with the other parts of the national government, including the Presidency and Courts; and key theoretical approaches to the study of Congress as a deliberative body designed to produce national policy outcomes. Finally, the course will develop students' understanding of individual members of Congress: their relationship to constituents, their differing styles of representation, and the effects of race, gender, ideology, and money on their legislative work.