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P.S. 573-01
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Spring 2011
Dr. Joe Kunkel
207 C Morris Hall
http://krypton.mnsu.edu/~jak3
OFFICE HOURS
Mon
10:00-11:00 am
Tue
9:00-9:30 am
11:00-12:00
Phone: 389-6930
joseph.kunkel@mnsu.edu
Wed
10:00-11:00 am
Thurs
9:00-9:30 am
11:00-12:00
3:00-4:30 pm
Fri
10:00-11:00 am
2:00-4:30 pm
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Understand importance of legislatures and complaints about their performance.
Understand the steps in the formal bill-making process in Congress.
Appreciate the challenge of representation and how the public affects legislatures.
Be more aware of legislators as professionals and personalities.
Evaluate relationships between legislators and external participants.
Understand the role of committees and parties in the legislative process.
Improve skill in understanding politics and policy-making.
Learn about a policy issue pending in the current Congress.
Appreciate the complexity of legislative floor debate and decision-making.
REQUIRED READING
Davidson, Roger H., Walter J. Oleszek and Frances Lee. 2010. Congress and Its Members. Congressional
Quarterly Press. Washington, D.C. (12th edition).
GRADING
Course grades will be based on your percent of the total points. To calculate your final average, divide
your total points by the maximum total points.
Undergraduates: A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79
D = 60 - 69
F = below 60
REQUIREMENTS
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Text Chapter Papers
Do three of eleven.
You may do five.
First Draft of Paper
Paper
Full Points
100 points
100 points
15 points
(5 points each)
5 points
50 points
Late Penalties
-10% /day
(without permission)
3 points (-2)
(after due date but before
next exam)
Extra Credit
10 points
(5 pt. for 2 other readings,
late penalties apply.)
-5 points per day
(without permission)
Presentation
Class Participation
15 points
5 points
7 points
(.5 per day)
(.5 per day)
TOTAL
290 points
Late means without permission, after class when work is due. Day = 24 hours, MTWTF. Talk with
professor if you have legitimate reason for an extension.
EXAMS
There will be two examinations; a midterm and a final. Each exam will cover that part of the course
material studied prior to that exam. Graduate student exams will be composed of essay questions. There
will probably be a combination of a longer and some shorter essay questions. At least one week prior to
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the exam students will be informed of the exact format and given study questions.
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D2L CHAPTER PAPERS
Write a short paper on at least three of the eleven chapters in Davidson and Oleszek. . If may do two
additional for bonus points. Each paper is due on the date indicated on the calendar.
Each paper should include
1. An outline of the reading assignment.
One and one-half to two pages.
Single-spaced. Breaks between major sections.
2. An essay of several paragraphs giving your
One and one-half to two pages.
reaction, what you learned, thought important. Double-spaced
Total length: Three pages typed; about 600 words. Typed. 10 or 12 point font. One-inch margins. I will
distribute a sample. Submit your papers to the appropriate drop box on our D2L site. The D2L drop box
will be open for papers until the next exam.
PAPER - PRESENTATION
Research and write a short paper and present what you learned to the class. Begin by reading relevant
chapter(s) in Davidson and Olezek. For your paper use two of the chapters in Dodd and Oppenheimer as
your starting point. The professor will loan you the book so you may copy your two chapters. Find and
read two or three related articles or chapters in other books.
Dodd, Lawrence C. and Bruce I. Oppenheimer. 2009. Congress Reconsidered. 9th edition. Congressional
Quarterly Press.
Topic 1: Parties and Committees in the Contemporary Congress
Ch. 7. Smith, Steven and Gerald Gamm. The Dynamics of Party Government in Congress. and
Ch. 10. Aldrich, John H. and David Rohde. Congressional Committees in a Continuing Partisan Era.
Topic 2: The Two Chambers Today
Ch. 1. Sinclair, Barbara. The New World of U.S. Senators. and
Ch. 2. Dodd, Lawrence & Bruce Oppenheimer. The Politics of the Contemporary House, from Gingrich to
Pelosi.
The presentation should be about 15 minutes long (10-20 minutes). You may use Power point or other
visual aids. A first draft of the paper is due at the time of the presentation.
The paper should be about 6 pages long (5-8 pages). It should be typed, with 1 inch margins, 10 or 12
point font. Use APSA Style Manual for Political Science.
PARTICIPATION
Graduate students are expected to participate in class, asking questions, joining discussions and articulate
their thoughts. The professor will note when you speak. A certain minimum of participation is built into
the point scheme for the course (10 days). Fuller participation is encouraged with bonus points (14 days).
SYLLABUS CHANGES
Minor changes in the syllabus may be made as needed. It is your responsibility to attend class is to be
aware of any syllabus changes. The updated syllabus will be posted at our D2L site under Content.
STUDENT CONDUCT
Students must fulfill their responsibilities under the university’s Statement of Student Responsibilities
(http://www.mnsu.edu/conduct/studentresources.html). This statement covers academic honesty and
other aspects of appropriate conduct. The professor will strictly enforce any university policies in this
regard. According to this Statement, “individuals will fulfill their academic responsibilities in an honest
and forthright manner.” Plagiarism, submitting course assignments that are not your own, cheating, and
other dishonest activities are violations of your responsibilities. The university outlines a process for
dealing with alleged conduct violations. In case of a violation the professor would make an allegation,
and give the student the opportunity to present their side. If appropriate the professor would determine
the sanction (eg. lowering the grade for an assignment, for the course, failing the course, dismissal from
the program). In cases of serious violation the likely sanction in this course would be to fail the course.
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The professor would refer serious violations to the Office of Student affairs, for a hearing and possible
further academic sanctions (academic probation or suspension).
ASSISTANCE and ACCOMODATIONS
The professor is employed by the university to help students learn. Too often students wait until they are
in academic trouble before seeking assistance. You are encouraged to visit with the professor as soon as
you need help. This goes for everyone. However, if you are a student with a disability who will need
academic accommodations, please visit the Office of Disability Services to discuss what is appropriate. I
permit extra time on examinations for students for whom English is their second language.
COURTESY
Open and free discussion is encouraged in our class.
 Use of cell phones and hand-held communication devices is prohibited in class.
 Laptops may be used to take notes in class. Do not use them for any other purpose.
 Please do not use profanity or coarse language.
 Be respectful of your fellow students and professor.
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CALENDAR
Tuesday
January 11
Course Introduction
Ch. 1 Two Congresses
January 18
D2L Paper #1 ch. 2 Evolution of
Congress
Thursday
January 13
Two Congresses
January 25
D2L Paper #2 ch. 3 Recruitment &
Candidacy
January 27
Recruitment & Candidacy
February 1
D2L Paper #3 ch. 4 Electoral Game
February 3
Electoral Game
February 8
D2L Paper #4 ch. 5 Hill & Home Styles
February 10
Hill & Home Styles
February 15
D2L Paper #5 ch. 6 Leaders and Parties
February 17
Leaders and Parties
February 22
MIDTERM EXAM
February 24
Committees
D2L Paper #6 ch. 7 Committees
March 1
Presentation 1: Parties and Committees
First Draft due
March 8
Spring Break
March 3
No Class
March 15
D2L Paper #7 ch. 8 Rules and Procedures
March 17
Rules and Procedures
Presentation 2: House and Senate
First Draft Due
March 24
Deliberation
March 22
D2L Paper #8 ch. 9 Deliberation
January 20
Evolution of Congress
March 10
Spring Break
March 29
D2L Paper # 9 ch. 10 Congress &
President
April 5
D2L Paper #10 ch. 11 Congress &
Bureaucracy
March 31
Congress & President
Paper Due
April 7
Congress & Bureaucracy
April 12
D2L Paper #11 ch. 13 Organized
Interests
April 14
Organized Interests
April 19
April 21
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FINAL EXAM