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1 GVPT 473: THE AMERICAN CONGRESS Professor: Frances E. Lee Fall 2010 TA: Ms. Heather Creek [email protected] Lectures: M/W 10:00-10:50 in TYD 2106 [email protected] 3140N Tydings Hall 1155 Tydings Hall 301-405-4339 Section 101: F 1:00-1:50 in TYD 1132 (301) 405-3696 Office Hours: M 3:30-4:30, Section 102: F 2:00-2:50 in TYD 2123 Office Hours: M: 2:00-3:00 W 1:00-3:00 Section 103: F 3:00-3:50 in TYD 1102 W 10:00-12:00 COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is a comprehensive introduction to the workings of the contemporary U.S. Congress. We will examine who runs for and who wins seats in Congress, the lawmaking processes in the House and Senate, and the roles of parties and leaders in the two chambers. We will take stock of the changes in the operation of the House and Senate, especially problems associated with extended debate in the Senate. We will focus on Congress’s role as a policymaker. How does Congress make public policy? What factors inhibit legislative productivity? Who has input into the process? Finally, we will assess the performance of Congress. Is policymaking too partisan? Is the public’s disapproval of Congress justified? REQUIRED TEXTS: Davidson, Roger H., Walter J. Oleszek, and Frances E. Lee. 2010. Congress and Its Members. 12th ed. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. Fenno, Richard F., Jr. 1978. Home Style: House Members in Their Districts. Boston: Little, Brown. Gilmour, John B. 1995. Strategic Disagreement: Stalemate in American Politics. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press. Hibbing, John, and Elizabeth Theiss-Morse. 1995. Congress as Public Enemy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Selected readings available on the McKeldin Library’s electronic course reserves and other online locations. For information about how to use electronic course reserves (www.elms.umd.edu), please consult the document on e-reserves listed under the “library services” link on this webpage: http://www.lib.umd.edu/UES/library_guides_research.html. As needed, other web links are also provided in the schedule of readings in this syllabus. ASSIGNMENTS: Midterm examination: 25% Group project: 10% Reading Quizzes (6): 15% Term Paper: 20% Final examination 30%2 READINGS & READING QUIZZES Reading assignments are specified on a calendar in this syllabus. Students will be expected to have completed the assigned reading before coming to class. Reading quizzes will be given at the beginning of class on the days we discuss some of the most important readings for the course. Quiz dates are noted on the attached schedule. These quizzes will be short and should be completed within the first 5 minutes of class. Students’ lowest quiz grade will be dropped. EXAMINATIONS Examinations will include both objective components (short answer or multiple choice) and essays. Students will be provided with review materials to aid in preparation for the exams. A make-up exam will only be given if justified by a written excuse accompanied by appropriate documentation. The following are legitimate reasons for requesting a make-up exam: illness (self or dependent), religious observance, participation in university sponsored activities, or compelling circumstances beyond a student’s control. If none of these apply, no make-up exam will be granted. ATTENDANCE Course grades will be adversely affected by lack of attendance. 0-3 absences.......no penalty on grade 4+ absences........3 points subtracted from course grade for each unexcused absence after 3. (An excused absence requires written documentation verifying the reason for the absence—e.g., a doctor’s note or letter describing your participation in university-approved activities. A phone call or e-mail to the instructor is not enough to excuse the absence.) Furthermore, you are expected to be attentive in class and section even when you are not directly participating. Any student who is found to be using their cell phone, sending text messages, reading the newspaper, holding side conversations or otherwise not paying attention will not be counted as present for class or section that day. GROUP PROJECTS Students will be assigned to a one of the group projects listed below. Communications Strategy Project—September 24, 2010 Students assigned to this project will be divided in two teams. Each team will act as consultants to advise a member of Congress—Joseph Cao (R-La.)—on how to improve his communications with constituents. The communications strategy should do three things: 1) diagnose problems in his current communications strategy, 2) identify the key groups he needs to target and ways to reach them, and 3) articulate the major message(s) he needs to communicate. Each team will have 15 minutes to make its "pitch." Feel free to use whatever bells and whistles (handouts, multimedia, etc.) in your presentation that might help you sell your strategy. The team can allocate presentation responsibilities in whatever way makes sense, provided that each student speaks to the class at some point. The class will be asked to "role play" as Rep. Cao. After each presentation, the class will pose questions to the teams of consultants. At the end of class, they will also vote on which team developed the better communications strategy.3 Legislative Strategy Project—October 29, 2010 Students assigned to this project will be divided into two teams. Each will be asked to act as consultants hired to advise Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) on developing a legislative strategy that will raise his profile both in the Senate and at home. A legislative strategy should: 1) Identify and explain one major legislative initiative that will draw favorable attention in Congress and the state, 2) Articulate an argument for pushing the issue (Why is it timely now? How does it fit in with or develop the senator’s image?), and 3) Provide advice on what the senator can do to push the issue in the current congressional environment. Each team will have 15 minutes to make its "pitch." Feel free to use whatever bells and whistles (handouts, multimedia, etc.) in your presentation that might help you sell your strategy. The team can allocate presentation responsibilities in whatever way it chooses, provided that


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