PSC 304 Legislative Process Fall 2009 Instructor Dr David Damore Location WRI C235 Time MW 2 30 3 45 e mail david damore unlv edu Office WRI B213 Phone 895 3217 Office Hours M 4 00 5 30 W 10 30 12 00 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 congressional organization and procedures and how members of Congress represent their constituents 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 Walter J Oleszek and Frances Lee 2007 Congress Its Members 12th ed Washington D C Congressional Quarterly Jacobson Gary C 2009 The Politics of Congressional Elections 7th ed New York Longman Mann Thomas E and Norman J Ornstein 2006 The Broken Branch New York Oxford University Press Polsby Nelson W 2004 How Congress Evolves New York Oxford University Press Students also are expected to ready a daily national newspaper such as the New York Times or the Washington Post online additions will suffice Requirements 1 Exams 70 Two in class essay exams Higher exam score counts for 40 of course total and lower exam counts for 30 of course total 2 Quizzes 4 x 5 each 20 Four in class quizzes 3 Classroom Contribution 10 Determined by students attendance attentiveness and contribution to class discussions 1 Learning Outcomes 1 Increase substantive understanding of the legislative process 2 Motivate increased participation in the political process 3 Increase newspaper readership 4 Sharpen critical thinking and information gathering skills Policies and Miscellaneous 1 Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty trust respect fairness responsibility and professionalism By choosing to join the UNLV community students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV s function as an educational institution An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism Using the words or ideas of another from the Internet or any source without proper citation of the sources See the Student Academic Misconduct Policy located at http studentlife unlv edu judicial misconductPolicy html Any evidence of collaboration plagiarism or other violations of the honor code will be immediately referred for investigation 2 UNLV requires all members of the university community 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 The Disability Resource Center DRC coordinates all academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities The DRC is the official office to review and house disability documentation for students and to provide them with an official Academic Accommodation Plan to present to the faculty if an accommodation is warranted Faculty should not provide students accommodations without being in receipt of this plan UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 offering reasonable accommodations to qualified students with documented disabilities If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex SSC Room 137 and the contact numbers are Voice 702 8950866 TDD 702 895 0652 fax 702 895 0651 For additional information please visit http studentlife unlv edu disability 4 Any student missing class quizzes examinations or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up 2 missed work The make up will apply to the religious holiday absence only It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the last day at late registration of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the university which could not be avoided Beyond observance of religious holidays make ups are granted for documented illnesses or deaths in the immediate family documented as well only 5 The Academic Success Center ASC provides tutoring and academic assistance for all UNLV students taking UNLV courses Students are encouraged to stop by the ASC to learn more about subjects offered tutoring times and other academic resources The ASC is located across from the Student Services Complex Students may learn more about tutoring services by calling 702 895 3177 or visiting the tutoring web site at http academicsuccess unlv edu tutoring 6 Lecture begins at 2 30 and ends at 3 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 7 It is expected that assigned reading will be completed prior to lecture 8 The successful completion of course assignments require more than simple regurgitation of material