Course Description
The United States Congress with emphasis on leadership, procedures, and the role of parties and interest groups. Recent changes in Congress will be examined in light of theories of representation.
Athena Title
LEGIS PROCESS HON
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in POLS 4600
Prerequisite
(POLS 1101 or POLS 1105H) and permission of Honors
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This honors research seminar is intended as a broad survey of the literature on the legislative process and will involve greater levels of participation and more writing among the students. The central focus of the course will involve an introduction to the American legislative process by examining the electoral and internal politics of the U.S. Congress. Among the various topics to be covered in this course include the institution’s place in American government, the election of its members, parties and leaders in Congress, congressional committees, rules and procedures, and the legislative process. The course will be conducted more like a seminar where the Honors students are responsible for presenting weekly readings after the initial weeks of class. Also, the students will be required to write several shorter papers along with a final research paper to justify honors credit for the course. Overall, it will not involve traditional lectures like the non- honors version of the course, but instead more direct participation where the honors students will learn from each other in addition to input from the instructor.
Topical Outline
Congress: A Uniquely American Institution Apportionment and Redistricting Homestyle: Politics Back in the District Congressional Elections Interest Groups and Congress Understanding the Rules Leaders and Parties Members in Committees Policymaking Interactions with the President The Georgia General Assembly