PLAP 3500: Policymaking in a Polarized Congress
Gridlock. Chaos. Dysfunction. You’ve probably heard these terms used to describe Congress—because, well, they often ring true. Today, we see Congress failing to legislate, check executive power, and fulfill its most basic constitutional duties. But why? And what implications does congressional dysfunction have for the future of American democracy?
In this course, we’ll tackle big questions about how the U.S. Congress functions, with a particular focus on whether and how party polarization has hampered its ability to govern effectively. We’ll examine questions such as: Who runs for office—and who actually wins? How do laws get made (or stalled) in a deeply polarized legislature? How do legislators’ identities influence policymaking? Does Congress work well with other branches of government? Why is Congress so unpopular? And is there any hope for reform? Expect to come to class prepared and ready to share your thoughts. The big ticket assignments you're responsible for in this course include a midterm, final, and paper.
[Syllabus]
Introduction to American Politics
Welcome to Introduction to American Government! This course offers a broad survey of American politics, beginning with the nation's founding and ending with current-day political issues. This course is divided into five parts: (1) Designing America, (2) Liberties and Rights, (3) Political Behavior, (4) Campaigns, Elections, and Political Parties, and (5) Political Institutions. Within each section, lectures and readings will focus on answering “key questions." Some questions we will consider this semester include: How did 55 guys hammer out the Constitution? Can the government regulate your sex life? What is the electoral college anyways? And is the federal government hopelessly broken? Class meetings will consist of lecture, discussion, and group activities. There are three major assignments that you will complete throughout this course: a midterm exam, a final exam, and two critical response essays.