Political Science 3200 Dr. Jay A. DeSart
Fall 2009 E-Mail: JDeSart@uvu.edu
Room: LA 124 Office: LA 030f (801) 863-6314
T : 6:00 - 9:00 PMOffice Hours:T,Th   10:00 - 11:00 AM
http://desart.us/courses/3200/             1:00 -   2:00 PM


U.S. Congress

I. Course Objective

        This course is designed to explore the operation of the United States Congress. An understanding of this institution entails more than simply an overview of its constitutional powers, therefore we will examine the processes of democratic accountability and the impact they have on the decision-making/ policy-making process. You will develop an understanding of:


II. Required Textbooks

        Two textbooks have been ordered for the course and are available for purchase at the campus bookstore:

Davidson, Roger H. and Walter J. Oleszek, and Francis E. Lee.  Congress and its Members.  12th Edition.  CQ Press.

Mayer, Kenneth R. and David T. Canon.  The Dysfunctional Congress?  Westview.




III. Expectations of Students

        Students are expected to keep up with assigned readings and participate in class discussion. Lecture and discussion will be much more meaningful if the students come to class prepared.
        With respect to class attendance and participation, I direct you to your academic responsibilities as stated in the Student Code in the College Catalog:
    Each student is expected to take an active role in the learning process by meeting course requirements as specified in the written syllabus.
An "active role" includes regular attendance.  I will regularly take attendance, but whether or not you choose to attend is entirely your choice. However, you should be aware that missing class will hinder you in meeting course requirements.  By failing to attend class, for whatever reason, you assume the responsibility of your choice.  Class attendance and participation will factor into a student's grade when they are on the borderline between two grades.

       The Student Code also states that it is your responsibility to "maintain academic ethics and avoid dishonesty in all its forms". No academic dishonesty will be tolerated in this course. The penalty for a first offense is an "F" for the assignment or exam. A second offense will result in a failing grade for the course and you will be reported to the Department Chair and Student Advising for further action. For more information on the Student Code and for definitions of what constitutes "academic dishonesty" please refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities section of the College Catalog.

IV. Grading

        The grade for this course will be based upon three examinations. Two of the exams will occur at approximately the 6th and 12th weeks of the term. Specific dates of these examinations are listed in the following pages. The final exam is scheduled for:
Tuesday December 15, 2009 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The approximate weights of each of these items in the calculation of the course grade will be:

First Exam 30%
Second Exam 30%
Final Exam 40%

        There will be absolutely no make-up exams except in situations of dire circumstances of which you should inform me in advance. Official documentation (i.e. note from a doctor, your own obituary, etc.) for the reason for missing the exam will be required, and such documentation should be very specific indicating your inability to be in class a the time of the exam. In other words, you better be sick enough to warrant a trip to the doctor if you are going to miss an exam.  Make-up exams will be scheduled in the Testing Center, and you should be aware that it is their policy to impose a $3.00 charge for this service.



V. Student Needs


        Students with questions are encouraged to meet with me during scheduled office hours. If you have conflicts with scheduled office hours see me so we can make an attempt to make an appointment at another time convenient to both the both of us. You are also encouraged to contact me via e-mail at: jdesart@uvu.edu or via AOL Instant Messenger at screenname DrDeSart.
        Should any student experience a disability which might require special accommodations, the student is encouraged to contact the Accesibility Service Department [ASD], BU -146, (801) 863-8747, so that appropriate arrangements can be coordinated.  Special accomodations cannot be given unless and until the student has coordinated them with ASD.



VI. Reading Assignments

Date Topic Readings
Davidson, Oleszek, & LeeMayer and Canon
9/1      
9/8 Congress: Nature and Change 1, 2 Introduction, 1
9/15 The Electoral Connection:
Redistricting and Nomination		 3
 2
9/22 The Electoral Connection:
General Election		 4
  
9/29 Members, Leaders & Parties

First Exam Review		 5, 6  
        First Exam   Tuesday   October 6
10/13 Committees and Interest Groups 7, 12
3
10/20 The Decision-Making Process 8, 9
 4
10/27
Congress and the President:
Introduction to the Conflict

Second Exam Review		 10  
Second Exam   Tuesday  November 3
11/10 The Bureaucracy: A Pawn in the Conflict 11  
11/17 Policy Outputs: Domestic Policy 13  
11/24 Policy Outputs: Foreign Policy 14  
12/1 Congressional Reform: Prospects and Consequences   5
12/8 Congress: Individual Incentives and Collective Action

Final Exam Review		 15
  
Final Exam   Tuesday December 15, 2009   6:00 - 9:00 PM