This research seminar is intended as a broad survey of the literature on legislative
politics.  The central focus of the course will be the U.S. Congress, but much of
what we discuss will have direct relevance for the study of legislatures more
generally.  As such, we will focus on the origins and development of the U.S.
Congress, congressional elections, the committee system, the legislative process, the
role of political parties, and inter-branch relations.  Throughout the course, we
will pay attention to current political and scholarly controversies (as well as some
“classics”) in terms of identifying important research questions as well as examining
and improving upon existing research designs.  By the end of the course, you should
have a better understanding of the nature of congressional research, even though it
would be impossible to cover all facets of legislative politics in a single graduate
seminar.

The Electoral Connection in Congress
Congressional Elections
The Institutional Development of Congress
Theories of Legislative Organization
Parties and Leaders in Congress
The Congressional Committee System
Congressional Roll Call Voting
Historical Perspectives on Congress
Perspectives on the U.S. Senate
Congress and the President
Congress and the Courts

All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty."  
Students are responsible for informing themselves about these standards before 
performing academic work.  The penalties for academic dishonesty are severe and 
ignorance is not an acceptable defense.  Also note that the course syllabus is a 
general plan for the course and that deviations announced to the class by the 
instructor may be necessary.  (www.uga.edu/ovpi/academic_honesty/academic_honesty.htm)