PSC 304 Legislative Process Spring 2007 Instructor Dr David Damore Location WRI C237 Time MW 8 30 9 45 e mail david damore unlv edu Office WRI B213 Phone 895 3217 Office Hours MW 10 00 11 30 Scope and Purpose This course provides an examination of the legislative process with particular attention given to the United States Congress The course is divided into four parts Part one examines congressional elections and how election outcomes affect representation and congressional organization and procedures Part two assesses the formal power allocated to Congress by the Constitution the institutionalization and development of Congress over time and differences between the House and Senate Part three addresses the nuts and bolt of congressional operations e g the role of parties and leaders committees and other formal procedures as well as individual and collective decision making Part four examines the relationship between Congress and other actors in the political environment e g the president the federal courts the bureaucracy interest groups the media and the public Readings Davidson Roger H and Walter J Oleszek 2006 Congress Its Members 10th ed Washington D C Congressional Quarterly Jacobson Gary C 2004 The Politics of Congressional Elections 6th ed New York Longman Polsby Nelson W 2004 How Congress Evolves New York Oxford University Press Students also are expected to ready a daily national newspaper Requirements 1 Exams 90 Four in class exams consisting of multiple choice identifications and essays each exam counts for 22 5 of course total 2 Classroom Contribution 10 Determined by students attendance attentiveness and contribution to class discussions Policies and Miscellaneous 1 The honor code is strictly enforced Any evidence of collaboration plagiarism or other violations of the honor code will be immediately referred for investigation 1 2 UNLV requires all members of the university community to be familiar with the honor code and to follow copyright and fair use requirements You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws UNLV will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws To familiarize you with copyright and fair use policies visit the UNLV copyright web page http www unlv edu committees copyright 3 Make ups are granted for documented illnesses or deaths in the immediate family documented as well If the assignments for this course conflict with other obligations either adjust your schedule or study habits accordingly If you need to miss class because of observance of a religious holiday or because you represent UNLV at any official extracurricular activity you must notify me no later than week three of the semester 4 Lecture begins at 8 30 and ends at 9 45 If you choose to attend lecture plan to do so for its duration Do not disrupt class by showing up late leaving early or talking Repeated interruptions including ringing cell phones and pagers and text messaging will adversely affect your final grade It is your choice to take this course if the subject matter is not of interest to you or you are unable to meet its expectations do not enroll 5 It is expected that assigned reading will be completed prior to lecture 6 The successful completion of course assignments require more than simple regurgitation of material presented in lecture and readings Rather students are expected to synthesize course material in a coherent and succinct manner that demonstrates both the depth and breadth of their understanding e g you will need to think and apply yourself to do well in this course 7 If you have a documented disability that requires assistance you need to contact Disability Service DS for coordination of your academic accommodations the DS is located within the Learning Enhancement Services office in the Student Services Complex Room 137 895 0866 www unlv edu studentlife les 8 Cut offs for final grades A 100 93 0 A 92 9 90 0 B 89 9 87 0 B 86 9 83 0 B 82 9 80 0 C 79 9 77 0 2 C 76 9 73 0 C 72 9 70 0 D 69 9 67 0 D 66 9 63 0 D 62 9 60 0 F 59 9 0 Course Calendar and Reading Assignments Date January 17 Topic Reading Course Overview Davidson and Oleszek Preface Part I Congressional Elections and Representation January 22 The Context of Congressional Elections Davidson and Oleszek chapter 3 Jacobson chapters 1 and 2 January 24 Micro and Macro Level Explanations of Congressional Elections Davidson and Oleszek chapter 4 Jacobson chapters 4 5 and 6 January 29 The Incumbency Effect Jacobson chapter 3 January 31 The Impact of Elections on Congress Jacobson chapter 7 February 5 Representation in Washington and at Home Davidson and Oleszek chapters 1 and 5 February 7 Catch up and Review February 12 Exam 1 Part II The Institution of Congress February 14 Congress in Historical Perspective Polsby chapter 1 February 21 The Formal Powers of Congress Davidson and Oleszek chapter 2 February 26 House and Senate Differences Polsby chapter 2 February 28 Institutionalization of Congress Polsby chapter 3 March 5 Congressional Organization and Institutions Polsby chapters 4 and 5 March 7 Exam 2 March 12 14 Spring Break Part III Internal Dynamics and Decision Making March 19 21 Rules and Procedures Davidson and Oleszek chapter 8 3 March 26 28 Parties and Leaders Davidson and Oleszek chapter 6 April 2 4 Committees and Subcommittees Davidson and Oleszek chapter 7 April 9 Decision Making Davidson and Oleszek chapter 9 April 11 Policy Making Davidson and Oleszek skim chapters14 and 15 April 16 Exam 3 Part IV Congress and the Political Environment April 18 Congress and the President Davidson and Oleszek chapter 10 April 23 Congress and Organized Interests Davidson and Oleszek chapter 13 April 25 Congress and the Federal Bureaucracy Davidson and Oleszek chapter 11 April 30 Congress and the Federal Courts Davidson and Oleszek chapter 12 May 2 Congress the Media and Public Opinion Davidson and Oleszek chapter 16 May 9 Exam 4 8 00 10 00 This syllabus provides a general plan for the course deviations may be necessary 4