Congress
Samuel T. Bassett (sbasse2@uic.edu)
Class Meeting
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 4:00-4:50
Stevenson Hall 309
POLS 228 – Spring 2015
Syllabus
Office Hours
2:30-3:30 Mondays, Fridays and by appointment
BSB 1177
Introduction
This course is designed to provide students a glance at the legislative branch within the larger context of
the United States government. This course will examine the basic operations, structure, power dynamics,
and politics of the United States House of Representatives and Senate.
We will use several texts throughout the course. Students should acquire copies of Aldrich’s Why
Parties? (0-226-01272-7) Fenno’s Home Style (0-321-12183-X) and Nownes’ Total Lobbying (0-52154711-3). Luckily, these books are relatively commonly used, and used copies should be available at
discounted prices for students on a budget. Several additional readings will supplement the course and
will be available online or through college resources.
Grades at a Glance
Quizzes (16 points, 2 each)
Legislative Simulation (21 points)
Midterm Examination (36 points, 18 each)
Final Examination (27 points)
Attendance / Participation
This course will be run in a quasi-seminar format. I will provide brief presentations concerning the
material, followed by discussion from students in the class. It is essential that you are prepared to
participate at all times in the class. As a result, students should complete reading assignments before
class begins, and class attendance is strongly recommended.
Please note that I will neither accept late papers nor administer make up exams, except in cases of
documented emergencies. If you know that you will be unable to attend an exam, it is your responsibility
to arrange taking the assessment before the assigned date. I will only accept digital copies of papers or
projects. All papers should have Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced with default kerning
and margins. Incomplete, excessively short, or rough drafts will be heavily penalized.
Blackboard will be the hub for information throughout the course. Check Blackboard for syllabus
revisions, course announcements, assignment information, and lecture notes. A running tally of grades
will be available on Blackboard.
If you are a student with a disability requiring some accommodation for participation in this class, please
let me know as soon as possible. Students with disabilities who require accommodations for access and
participation in this course should contact with the Office of Disability Services (312.413.2183 voice,
312.413.0123 TTY). Additional information may be found at
(http://www.uic.edu/depts/oaa/disability_resources/faq/accommodations.html.)
This syllabus is subject to amendment as deemed necessary by the instructor. Students will be informed
in writing (most likely electronically) of any changes.
University Legalese
Class attendance is strongly encouraged. If you must miss class, then please contact me in advance.
Excessive absences (more than three, without cause) may be the cause of a grade decrease; see below. If
you must miss class, please provide notice in advance if possible. This procedure is not meant to be an
impediment; it is established to open a channel of communication for students who may have legitimate
need to miss class. Students who wish to observe their religious holidays shall notify the faculty member
by the tenth day of the semester of the date when they will be absent unless the religious holiday is
observed on or before the tenth day of the semester. In such cases, the student shall notify the faculty
member at least five days in advance of the date when he/she will be absent. The faculty member shall
make every reasonable effort to honor the request, not penalize the student for missing the class, and if an
examination or project is due during the absence, give the student an exam or assignment equivalent to
the one completed by those students in attendance. If the student feels aggrieved, he/she may request
remedy through the campus grievance procedure.
(http://www.uic.edu/depts/oae/docs/ReligiousHolidaysFY20132015.pdf)
Students should take all necessary steps to avoid the appearance of plagiarism, plagiarism, or any other
form of dishonorable academic conduct. Plagiarized assignments could be the cause for failing an
assessment or the course. This course will follow the university’s plagiarism policies. As an academic
community, UIC is committed to providing an environment in which research, learning, and scholarship
can flourish and in which all endeavors are guided by academic and professional integrity. All members
of the campus community – students, staff, faculty, and administrators – share the responsibility of
insuring that these standards are upheld so that such an environment exists. Instances of academic
misconduct by students will be handled pursuant to the Student Disciplinary Policy:
(http://www.uic.edu/depts/dos/studentconduct.html)
UIC is committed to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and
human dignity involving students and employees. Freedom from discrimination is a foundation for all
decision making at UIC. Students are encouraged to study the University's “Nondiscrimination
Statement”. Students are also urged to read the document “Public Formal Grievance Procedures”.
Information on these policies and procedures is available on the University web pages of the Office of
Access and Equity: www.uic.edu/depts/oae.
University Resources
If you find yourself having difficulty with the course material or any other difficulties in your student life,
don’t hesitate to ask for help! Come to me, or if it is about an issue beyond this class, please contact your
college advisors, or get help from any number of other support services on campus. You can get a referral
to the right place, or help on the spot, from concerned advisor in the Undergraduate Success Center
(USC) at usc@uic.edu.
The Writing Center, located in Grant Hall 105, offers one-on-one consultation with student writers who
need help developing ideas, or need advice, guidance or additional instruction on any aspects of writing in
any class. Tutors are prepared to spend fifty minutes per appointment, and there is no limit to the number
of tutoring sessions you can have each semester. Make an appointment and be on time! Bring the paper
on which you're working, as well as any related drafts or notes, and information about the assignment. For
an appointment, call the Writing Center at (312) 413-2206, or stop by room 105 of Grant Hall. Visit the
Writing Center website at www.uic.edu/depts/engl/writing for more information.
The Science and Learning Center, located in the Science and Engineering South Building (SES) 201B, is
a meeting place for students in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and
Physics. At the SLC, students can meet with graduate teaching assistants for tutoring in 100-level courses,
arrange informal group study sessions with other students, or meet up with friends to attend one of the
workshops, seminars, or other activities sponsored by the SLC during the semester. Visit the website at
http://www.uic.edu/depts/bios/facilities/science_learning_center.shtml
Public Computer Labs are available throughout campus where you may write and/or print out your work.
For a list of labs and the hours they’re open, go to www.accc.uic.edu/pclabs. NOTE: Do not wait until the
last minute to print out papers. Sometimes labs have long lines of students waiting for access.
The Academic Center for Excellence can help if you feel you need more individualized instruction in
reading and/or writing, study skills, time management, etc. Phone: (312) 413-0031.
Counseling Services are available for all UIC students. You may seek free and confidential services from
the Counseling Center, online at www.counseling.uic.edu. The Counseling Center is located in the
Student Services Building; you may contact them at (312) 996-3490. In addition to offering counseling
services, the Counseling Center also operates the InTouch Crisis Hotline from 6:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. They
offer support and referrals to callers, as well as telephone crisis interventions; please call (312) 996-5535.
Security. As a UIC student, you've chosen to live in one of the nation's largest cities. But, as at any
university, crime is a reality. At UIC, we are strongly committed to our public safety programs, and we
encourage students to be proactive in learning what programs and services are available in case of an
emergency. You are DISCOURAGED from staying in university buildings alone, including lab rooms,
after hours and are ENCOURAGED to use the POLICE/STUDENT patrol escort if you are
uncomfortable traveling anywhere on campus. You may request an escort to accompany you to your
campus destination on foot by calling 312-996-2830, and between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am you can dial the
Red Car service (312-996-6800) if you are alone and need to leave the building. Through Red Car, the
university has established a safe evening transportation service for university employees, students,
visitors, and other authorized individuals. The car travels between university facilities within the
following general boundaries: Clinton Street on the east; Western Avenue on the west; Jackson Boulevard
on the north; and, 16th on the south. This service is available only to individuals possessing a valid UIC icard. The i-card is required to ensure the safety of the driver and other passengers. Consult the following
for more information: http://www.uic.edu/uic/studentlife/campus/safety.shtml
Also you can subscribe your cell phone to receive text message alerts. An immediate SMS text alert will
be sent in case of a serious crime in progress, a weather emergency, or other urgent situation.
(http://sms.accc.uic.edu). Finally, by dialing 5-5555 from a campus phone, you can summon Police or
Fire for any on-campus emergency. You may also set up the complete number, 1-312-355-5555, on
speed-dial on your cell phone. For more information contact:
http://www.uic.edu/uic/studentlife/campus/emergency-information.shtml
Assignments
The course will be taught on a total-points system. Individual assignments will not be curved, but final
grades may be curved at the end of the semester if advantageous to the students. Otherwise, the standard
90-80-70-60 schedule will be used.
Attendance and Participation –
Attendance is mandatory. If a student must miss a session, then the student should inform the instructor
before class begins, as possible. Participation is a critical component for seminar style classes. Your
colleagues should be viewed as resources for your academic success, and you should be prepared to be a
resource as well. Students may use the Internet for background research during lecture and discussion,
however using electronics for non-class activities may severely harm a participation grade. Class
discussions require tolerance for others and their ideas. Just because you disagree with another’s
viewpoint does not mean that they are wrong. Unruly or absent students may face a one point deduction
from their final grade per day.
Quizzes –16 points; 2 points each
Nine quizzes will be administered throughout the course, using the Blackboard applet. Quizzes will
consist of several multiple choice questions regarding the readings in that unit. Students will have until
posted deadlines to complete the online quizzes. All submitted answers are final. The lowest quiz score
will be dropped from the average. There will be no extensions to complete the blackboard quizzes.
Simulation
Students will participate in a legislative simulation as Senators attempting to pass (and block) policies.
This simulation will span most of the semester. This class will coordinate with students at other colleges
and universities. A short description and deadline for each assignment may be found below.
Simulation: State Profile – 6 points
Students will provide a short analysis of their chosen home state, including key interest groups,
key constituencies, and the political environment of that district.
Simulation: Bills – 6 points, 2 points each
Students will propose three bills on behalf of their Senator. Bills will need a title and a short
summary of the proposed actions.
Simulation: Report – 9 points
Like all politicians, student-Senators will be held accountable by simulated voters at the end of
the semester. Students must prepare a one page (single spaced) letter outlining what they have
done during the simulation and why they should be reelected.
Midterm Examination – 36 points; 18 points each
There will be two midterm examinations. Each midterm exam will provide multiple prompts, but
students will respond to only two (2) free response questions. All questions will concern material from
the previous portions of the course. Essays should include an argumentative thesis, several paragraphs
organized around the thesis statement, empirical facts, and analysis explaining how the presented facts
pertain to the thesis. The midterm exams will be a “take home” assignment. As a result, students may
access online and hardcopy resources; however, care should be taken to provide proper citations and
prevent any potential plagiarism.
Final Examination – 27 points – Tuesday, May 5, 2015
There will be one final examination. The final exam will provide multiple prompts, but students will
respond to only three (3) free response question. The final exam may concern any material throughout
the course. Essays should include an argumentative thesis, several paragraphs organized around the thesis
statement, empirical facts, and analysis explaining how the presented facts pertain to the thesis. All
questions will concern material from the previous portions of the course. The midterm exams will be a
“take home” assignment. As a result, students may access online and hardcopy resources; however, care
should be taken to provide proper citations and prevent any potential plagiarism. Responses are expected
promptly by 5:30.
POLS 228 Spring 2015 Schedule
January 12, 2015
Introduction
January 14, 2015
Federalist 10 (B)
Fear of Factions
January 16, 2015
Federalist 51 (B)
The Remedy Republic
January 19, 2015
No Class - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
January 21, 2015
The United States Constitution, especially Article I
Congressional Powers
January 23, 2015
The Theory of Legislative Dominance
January 26, 2015
Pitkin (B)
Theorizing Representation
January 28, 2015
Black (B)
The Calculus of Politics
January 30, 2015
Arrow (B)
The Arrow Problem
February 2, 2015
Schlesinger & Schlesinger (B)
Rules, Duverger’s Law and Strategic Voting
February 4, 2015
Fairvote (B)
Gerrymandering
February 6, 2015
Pitkin (B)
Return to Representation
February 9, 2015
Aldrich C1-2
Why Parties?
February 11, 2015
Aldrich C3
Party Formation, In Congress
February 13, 2015
Aldrich C4
Partisan Discipline and the Party Machine
February 16, 2015
Aldrich C5
Republican Realignment and Congressional Dominance
February 18, 2015
Aldrich C6-7
Contemporary Political Parties
February 20, 2015
Aldrich C8
Parties and Congress
February 23, 2015
Sulkin (B)
Congressional Campaigns
Midterm 1 Due
February 25, 2015
Kolodny (B)
Campaign Finance
February 27, 2015
The Prototype Candidate
March 2, 2015
Jacoby (B)
The American Voter
March 4, 2015
Norrander (B)
Campaigns and Party Primaries
March 6, 2015
Jacobson (B)
Campaign Finance
March 9, 2015
Fenno 1-2
Home Style
March 11, 2015
Presentation of Self
March 13, 2015
Explaining the Hill to Home
March 16, 2015
Home Style Over Time
March 18, 2015
Home Style and Representation?
March 20, 2015
Home, Hill and the Politics of Place
March 23, 2015
March 25, 2015
March 27, 2015
March 30, 2015
Nuts and Bolts
April 1, 2015
Simulation Day – Committee Work
April 3, 2015
Simulation Day – Committee Reports, Floor Debate
April 6, 2015
Simulation Day – Amendments from Other Chamber
April 8, 2015
Veto Players and Committees in the Policy Process
April 10, 2015
Policy, Incremental Changes and Punctuated Equilibrium
April 13, 2015
Lobbying 101
April 15, 2015
Who Lobbies Whom?
April 17, 2015
How Who Lobbies Whom
April 20, 2015
Lobbying for Money
April 22, 2015
Interest Groups and Lobbying
April 24, 2015
Lobbying over Place
April 27, 2015
Representation in Lobbying?
April 29, 2015
Who Wins?
May 1, 2015
Course Coda
May 5, 2014
FINAL EXAMINATION DUE BY 5:30 PM
Fenno 3-4
Fenno 5
Fenno 6
Fenno 7
Midterm 2 Due
No Class - Spring Break
I’m Just a Bill (B)
True & Baumgartner (B)
Nownes C1-2
Nownes C3
Nownes C4
Nownes C5
Leech (B)
Nownes Rest of Book
Schlozman (B)
Baumgartner et al (B)
NO CLASS