Political Science 3312
Congress and the Legislative Process
Professor David R. JonesOffice: B-5278; 646-312-4418
Section TV24 2:30-3:45, VC 4180Hours: Tu, Th 12:30-1:30
Fall 2010e-mail:
Learning Goals for this Course
Students will learn the factors that influence who wins election to Congress, the role this electoral process plays in the behavior of its members while in office, the institutional features, organizational structure and norms of Congress that influence the lawmaking process, and the dynamics of interbranch relationships between Congress and the executive branch as well as between Congress and the courts.
Course Requirements
- Attendance is mandatory and you must be on time. Students who are consistently late or have excessive unexcused absences will be dropped from the course.
- Arrive prepared for discussion. Complete the readings (listed below)before the class for which they are assigned and be ready to participate in class discussions.
- Be respectful in class. Do not have any private conversations once class begins. Turn off all mobile phones and texting devices. In general, no electronic devices are allowed to be on without my prior permission.
- Check the course’s Blackboard site regularly for updated class notices, dates, readings, and grades.
Grading
Class participation will count as 10% of your grade. The remainder of your grade consists of several short homework assignments totaling 10% of your grade, two research papers each worth 20% of your grade, a midterm worth 20% of your grade, and a final exam worth 20% of your grade. The exams will be closed book and will cover readings, lectures, and classroom discussions. If you miss an exam or a paper deadline you will automatically fail the course. Makeup exams will not be given, unless approved before the exam. Same policy for homeworks and papers: NO LATE HOMEWORKS OR PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED, AND YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO. Specifics regarding the writing assignments will be discussed in class and posted on the Blackboard website. If you have any disabilities that need to be accommodated, you must contact the Disability Services Office: 646.312.4590.
Academic Honesty
BaruchCollege’s policy on Academic Honesty is rigorously enforced in this class. For details on what constitutes academic dishonesty—including cheating and plagiarism—see the school website: If questions remain, ask me. Ignorance is not an acceptable excuse. My policy is to give a failing grade for the entire course if you plagiarize any assignment or cheat on any exam. In addition, I am required by College policy to submit a report of suspected academic dishonesty to the Dean of Students office. This report becomes part of your permanent file, and you may be expelled from Baruch.
RequiredReadings
Davidson, Roger, Walter J. Oleszek and Frances E. Lee. 2009. Congress and Its Members. 12th edition. Washington, DC. CQ Press. [DOL]
Additional required readings will be made available on the Blackboard [BB] website.
Blackboard Contents
On our Blackboard site you will find many materials useful to you in this class. These include:
- A copy of the course syllabus
- Updates regarding the course schedule and relevant due dates (“Announcements”)
- Advice for note taking and studying for this class (“Course Documents”)
- Recommended news sources for current events information (“Course Documents”)
- Recommended resources for research on congressional topics (“Course Documents”)
- Grades posted after each assignment and exam (“Course Documents”)
- Additional recommended readings for each topic (“Course Documents”)
- Homeworks, after they are assigned (“Assignments”)
Questions
I welcome all of your questions related to the class and congressional politics in general. Please feel free to raise your hand with a question during class, visit me in my office, email me during the week, or speak with me briefly before or after class.
Course Schedule(All dates are subject to change)
8/26Introduction to the course; background and overview
8/31Theories of representation and elections
Readings:DOL, ch. 1,2
9/2Who represents New York in Congress?
Readings: [BB] Read the 3 profiles of Gillibrand, Schumer, Rangel
HW due: Know your district
9/7Introduction to congressional elections: “Can Mr. Smith Go to Washington Anymore?”
Readings: DOL ch 3: pp. 59-69
[9/9 No classes at Baruch]
[9/14 Classes follow a Friday schedule (this class does not meet)]
9/16 Elections: Rules; paper assignmentgiven
Readings:DOL, ch. 3: pp. 39-59
9/23Elections: Candidates & Incumbency
Readings:DOL, ch 3: pp. 59-69; ch. 5: pp. 147-155
9/28Elections: Campaigns and Information
Readings:DOL, ch 3: pp. 70-85; ch. 4: 91-104
9/30Elections: Voters
Readings:DOL, ch. 4: pp. 104-117
10/5National Forces in Congressional Elections
Readings:DOL, ch. 4: pp. 117-123
10/7Campaign Strategy
Readings:DOL, ch. 4: pp. 87-91
10/12Election outcomes: representativeness and responsiveness
Paper assignment due
10/14Midterm exam
10/19Introduction to legislative politics: “Obama’s Deal”
Readings: [BB] Cohn 2010, “How They Did It”
10/21Freshman orientation in Congress
Readings: [BB] Sidlow 2007, “Setting Up Shop”
10/26Organization: Parties and Leaders
Readings:DOL, ch. 6
10/28Organization: Committees
Readings:DOL, ch. 7
HW due: Committee politics
[11/2 class cancelled—Election Day—VOTE!]
11/4HouseProcedures
Readings:DOL, ch. 8: pp. 237-259
11/9Senate Procedures
Readings:DOL, ch. 8: pp.259-266
Readings:[BB] Packer 2010, “The Empty Chamber”
11/11Resolving Bicameral Differences
Readings:DOL, ch. 8: pp. 266-269
11/16Legislative Behavior
Readings:DOL, ch. 9, 13
11/18Presidential-Congressional Relations; paper assignment given
Readings:DOL, ch. 10
11/23Foreign Policy
Readings:DOL, ch. 15
11/30Oversight
Readings:DOL, ch. 11
12/2Congress and the Courts
Readings:DOL, ch. 12
12/7Budget Process
Readings:DOL, ch. 14
12/9Conclusion / evaluations / papers due
Readings:DOL, ch. 16
12/21Final exam3:30-5:30pm (same room as class)