2010 Spring POLSCI 166-01
Bulletin Course Description Critical interpretations of public policies and institutional practices to better understand the United States system of divided government. Special attention to understanding the consequences of cooperative and adversarial goals of the executive branch and the Congress. Features of this institutional balance of power in policy-making; institutional and political origins of laws and regulations. Instructor: Munger
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT Department POLSCI Course Number 2010 Spring 166 Section Number 01 Primary Instructor Rohde,David W Prerequisites
Synopsis of course content
Policy in the US system of divided government represents the cooperative and
adversarial roles of the Executive Branch and the Congress. The Executive
controls the implementation of policy, with the power to make appointments
to government departments and regulatory agencies. The Congress holds the
purse strings, controlling the budgets of agencies and having the final say in
political appointments. This course investigates the features of this balance
of power in policy-making, and gives students insight into the institutional
and political origins of laws and regulations.
Because the relation between Congress and the President is the key to
understanding the process of policy formation in the U.S., this course will be
useful for anyone interested in the policy process.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a demanding course, in terms of the reading and
writing requirements.
THIS COURSE FULFILLS A WRITING REQUIREMENT.
Textbooks
Not yet determined.
Assignments
1.Presentation in Class during last few weeks, based on one of the writing
assignments. Based on a paper, but graded separately.
2. Four short papers during the semester. Each of these will be graded as
rough drafts, and then resubmitted for another draft, and then resubmitted in
final form.
Exams
Final (essay format)
Term Papers
Four short papers, some on policy topics, some analyzing political aspects.
Grade to be based on
Tentatively:
Final: 30%
Papers: 40%
Presentation: 15%
Class participation: 15%
