Policymaking in a Polarized Congress (Undergraduate)
Gridlock. Chaos. Dysfunction. You’ve probably heard these terms used to describe Congress—because, well, they often ring true. Today, we see Congress struggling to legislate, check executive power, and fulfill even its most basic constitutional duties. But why? And what are the consequences of this dysfunction for the future of American democracy?
In this course, we’ll tackle big questions about how the U.S. Congress functions—and sometimes doesn't—with a particular focus on whether and how party polarization has hampered its ability to govern effectively. Along the way, we’ll ask: Who runs for office, and who wins? What incentives shape legislators' behavior? How do they represent their constituents? How do laws get made—or stalled—in a polarized legislature? How does Congress interact with the other branches of government? Why is Congress so unpopular? And is meaningful reform possible? Throughout the course, we’ll revisit the claim that party polarization is crippling Congress—evaluating whether this is an overblown narrative or a fair diagnosis of institutional decline. Major assignments will include a midterm and final exam, a scaffolded research paper, and a congressional simulation.
Introduction to American Politics (Undergraduate)
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.