Congress & Presidency
Political Science 166
Spring 2000

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Syllabus
 
Michael C. Munger 
munger@acpub.duke.edu 
Office:   Perkins Library, Room 301b 
Office Phone:  966-4342 
Home Phone:  781-0338		 TTh, 10:55AM- 12:10 
East Duke, room 204D
Office Hours:    1:30 -2:30 pm, T, Th
       and by appointment
Policy in the United States is made within a framework of “divided government”:  Some powers the Constitution awards to the President, and others are controlled by the Congress.  The two branches have a relationship that can be characterized as both adversarial and cooperative.  In particular, the executive controls most of the machinery of implementation and enforcement, and has the power to make appointments to government departments and regulatory agencies.  Congress controls “the purse,” with power over agencies’ budgets, as well has having final say over who can be appointed.  Further, Congress can pass legislation the creates, or destroys, agencies and departments.

Understanding this tension between Congress and the President is fundamental to understanding the U.S. policy process.  In this course, we will look at the two branches in detail, and examine both theories and case studies of how they interact.

I encourage you to read a newspaper every day, at least for the duration of the class.  We will  often talk about “current events” in class, and try to place these events in the context of the larger political system we are studying.

PAPER:
You will be asked to write a 10 page paper, which you will present in class at the end of the semester. This paper should be a specific policy recommendation for change, or continuation, of an actual policy being considered by Congress, or advocated by the President. Your main task is to persuade the rest of the class that your argument works. This is NOT a term paper; you will be making a real world policy argument, and are welcome to use whatever evidence, or materials seem relevant.  I will ask questions, and so will the rest of the audience, to try to ferret out weaknesses in your argument.  A 1 page outline of your paper is due the last class period before spring break, on Thursday, March 9.

GRADES:
Grades for this class will be derived from the students performance on a midterm exam, a final exam, and four two-page papers, as well as class participation.   These will have the following weights:
 
ITEM
WEIGHT
1.  Midterm
In class, 60 minutes, combination multiple choice & short answer.
20% 
2.  Final Exam
Essay format, in scheduled exam period (5/1, 9 am - noon).
35%
3.  10-page policy paper and Presentation
These papers will be graded on both content and style.  Must be typed.
35% (20% paper, 15% presentation)
4.  Class Participation
10% 
TOTAL
100%

TEXTS:
The main texts for the course are:

In addition, there are occasional handouts and other assignments that will be distributed as the semester progresses.

READING SCHEDULE:

Organizational Meeting:  January 13

Week 1 (Jan 18 and 20):  The Rules of the Game
Reading:

Week 2 (Feb 1 & 3):  President:  The Power to Persuade
Reading: NOTE:  No class on Sunday, Feb 6...I can't make it.

Week 3 (Feb 8 & 10):  Congress I:  Organization and Structure
Readings:



Make up class (Saturday, Feb. 12, 3:55 - 5:10 p.m.)
Readings:

Week 4 (Feb 15 & 17):  Congress II:  Decision Making and Delegation
Reading:

Week 5 (Feb 22 & 24):  Review for Midterm, and Midterm Exam

Week 6 (Feb 29 & March 2):  Policy Case I:  The Tax Reform Act of 1986
Reading:

Weeks 7-8 (7, 9, & 21):  The Organization of the Executive Branch
Reading:  NOTE:  1 page outline of paper topic due on March 9!!!!
 NOTE:  No class on March 14, or 16:  Spring Break!

Week 9 (March 23):   Policy Case II:  The Deficit Reduction Act of 1993
ELECTION AND TRANSITION…
Reading:

Make up class (Saturday, March 25, 3:55 - 5:10 p.m.)

Week 10 (March 28 & 30):   Policy Case II (continued)
AGENDA AND STALEMATE…
Reading:

Week 11 (April 4 & 6)  The “Investment” Theory of Politics
Reading: Week 12 (April 11 & 13):  Impeachment
Reading: Week 13 (April 18 & 20):  Paper Presentations (15 Minutes, Maximum)

Week 14 (April 25):  Finish Paper Presentations, and Course Review


Reading Period:  April 27 – 28

EXAM FOR THIS CLASS:   Monday, May 1, 9 am - noon