Legislative Politics

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

An understanding of the US Congress is critical for any student seeking to comprehend American government and politics. This course will examine the origins, history and development of Congress as an institution. It will investigate what drives legislative decision-making, and the evolving roles played by committees, party leadership and outside forces in the process. The course will look at procedural issues and the material impact they have on policy-making. It is impossible to understand US legislative politics without discussing the issue of polarization in the United States and the way it has changed politics and the institutions of governance. We will include a discussion of the role played by the President in the legislative process. Finally, we will look at some of the internal matters members deal with, from staff, budgets, constituent communications and ethics rules, to external issues such as campaigns, fundraising and interest group pressure. Please note that this course is offered through the Washington Program.