Class Orientation: This course introduces students to the study of the United States Congress. In representative democracies the legislature is the focus of popular sentiment. The legislature is intended to be the institution most responsive to the changing demands of the whole of society; the legislature is the keystone of a democratic system. As such, the study of legislatures has a long and distinguished history in the study of political science. In fact, one of the most famous books in the study of legislative politics was written by-then academic, soon to be president-Woodrow Wilson in the late 1800s. Today the study of legislatures is, arguably, the largest single area of study in the field of American politics. On the other hand, "Congress bashing" has a long and respected career. Mark Twain once quipped, "It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress." Will Rogers once said, "Congress is the best money can buy." Most presidents seem to believe that if Congress just went home, the country would run much better. Indeed, this may be the attitude of many Americans.

The primary focus of the class is on issues of theoretical and substantive importance to the study of the U. S. Congress. More specifically, the course focuses on the tension between the individual motivations of legislators, and the external demands of democratic governance. Although the U.S. Congress is the institutional focus of the course, discussion of state and foreign legislatures will be used to augment our discussion of legislatures in general.

The secondary focus of this class is to demonstrate to students what political science is all about, and how political scientists approach the study of politics. I hope to convince you of two things: 1.) that political science is not what you read in TIME magazine or NEWSWEEK, and; 2.) that political science is a worthwhile endeavor that is worth further consideration.

Given the theoretical and substantive focus of this class, students should be made aware that this is not a course on current affairs. Nevertheless, current events will be incorporated into the class to illustrate theoretical points. Therefore, I strongly encourage students to keep up with current affairs through the newspaper, the radio, and/or the television news. By remaining current, students will be able to make substantive contributions to class discussion, and aid themselves in concretizing concepts that, at times, may seem abstract.

Policies: All University policies are in effect for this course. Familiarize yourself with these policies especially in regards to incompletes, drop/add, withdrawal, etc. Students are expected to attend all classes, do all reading prior to the class and take all exams at the appointed times. No make-up exams will be given. There will be no extra credit given.

If you have any problems with the college, the course, the material or me, please come see me. If there is anything I can help you with please come see me. I am here to help.

Finally, it would not be an understatement to say that this course is challenging. As an upper-division course in political science it is bound to be. There is more reading in this course than you may be used to and, almost assuredly, more writing than you are used to doing. Rest assured that my expectations are reasonable, and that students who make an honest effort to do well will find their time well spent. The study of legislatures, and especially the Congress, is interesting and exciting; my goal for this class is to demonstrate that to you. Good luck!

Required Readings: Below are the required books for this course. These books are available in the UMC bookstore and the Colorado Bookstore on the Hill:

   Roger Davidson and Walter J. Oleszek, Congress and Its Members, 5^th edition, CQ Press, 1995 ISBN 1-56802-343-X

   Richard Fenno, Homestyle: House Members in Their Districts Addison-Wesley, 1987 ISBN 0673394409

   Morris P. Fiorina, Congress: Keystone to the Washington Establishment, Second Edition, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1989. ISBN 0-300-04640-5

   David R. Mayhew, Congress: The Electoral Connection, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1974. ISBN 0-300-01809-6

   Burdett A. Loomis The Contemporary Congress 2nd Ed., New York, St. Martin’s Press, 1998. ISBN 0-312-15395-3

    Weisberg, Hebert and Campoli Classics in Congressional Politics Longman 1999. ISBN 0-8013-2030-5
   Additional Assigned Readings

Course Requirements: Attendance is mandatory. All students are required to complete the assigned reading before class, and contribute to class discussion. While participation is not an explicit element of the course grade, participation will be considered if a student finishes the class with a borderline grade.

Grading: The class grade will be determined by three exams.
Midterm Exams (2): Students will be given questions that will require that they attempt, to the best of their abilities, to synthesize the information that has been presented in the class and in the readings. All exams will be in-class exams. You must bring a "Blue Book" to all Examinations. No Make up exams will be administered.
Final Exam: The final exam will be comprehensive in the sense that topics that come later in the class are based on prior material. Continuing Education exam's are on the last night of class.

E-mail list: Each student must subscribe ot the class's E-mail list. For more info visit: http://www.colorado.edu/ITS/emaillists/faq.html

I. The History and Context of Congress: The American Political System

              A. Politics, Government and Social Science

              B. The American Political Culture

              C. The American Republic- Madisonian Foundations

              D. American Constitutionalism & Congress

II. Institutional and Electoral Dynamics: Approaches to the Study of Congress
               A. The Micro Level--Individual Members

              B. Congressional Elections; Political Parties in Congress

III. The Middle Range
              A. The Problem of Congressional Leadership

              B. Committees

              C. Subcommittees

IV. The Congress and the Executive:
              A. The Presidency

              B. The Executive

              C. Divided Government

V. Theoretical Foundations and Institutional Change
              A. Theoretical Perspectives on Congressional Change

              B. Dynamics of Congressional Change

VI. Bringing it All Together: The Present and Future of Congress

              A. The Contemporary Congress

              B. The Future