U.S. Congress and Lawmaking
M/W 11:30-1:00, Fall 1999

• Faculty: David King

• Audience: Open to MPPs and MPAs interested in "working with legislatures" as elected officials, staffers, bureaucratic liaisons, or lobbyists. International students, especially ones expecting to work in Washington someday, are encouraged to attend. There is also a Ph.D. section for Government Department doctoral students. Ph.D. students (and only Ph.D. students) should sign up for the course under the Gov 2322 course number.

• Objectives: Students become effective in dealing with legislatures. Graduates of this course go on to work as lobbyists and legislative staffers. Several are currently running for public office. Students learn how legislatures work (and why they sometimes do not work) from two perspectives: the "inside" as a legislator or a staffer, and the "outside" as a lobbyist, reporter, or member of the executive branch. The workings of legislatures -- particularly the U.S. Congress -- will no longer be a mystery to anyone taking this course.

• Outline: (1) Theory (Why Legislatures? Nuts and Bolts). (2) Working the Inside (Personal Staff, Committee Staff). (3) From the Outside (Lobbyists, Bureaucrats). (4) Legislative Simulation (runs throughout the term). The first third of the course is taught in the traditional style, with lectures, readings, and papers. The second third is case intensive, and the legislative simulation begins to build. The final part of the class is primarily built around the simulation, as students take on the lives of legislators, staffers, and lobbyists.

• Grading:

1. 30%   Written exercises
2. 30%   Case Discussion & Participation
3. 40%   Legislative simulation