PSC 304LEC—Legislative Politics

This course provides an overview of the scholarship on legislative politics, with a focus on the U.S. Congress. In this course, students gain a deep understanding of how Congress has evolved since its founding (and why it has evolved the way it has), who chooses to run for Congress (and why), who gets elected to Congress (and why), how members of Congress represent their constituents, how Congress is organized (and why it is organized the way it is), how legislation is enacted, and how Congress interacts with other actors such as the President and the bureaucracy. We will also explore several topics especially relevant to contemporary legislative politics in the U.S, such as the rise of partisan polarization and legislative gridlock, the incidence and impact of filibusters and obstructionism, the intricacies of the budgetary process (including debates surrounding the debt ceiling and government shutdowns), and Senate confirmations of presidential appointees. This course is the same as SSC 304 and course repeat rules will apply. Students should consult with their major department regarding any restrictions on their degree requirements.