4: Congress- To the Republic
- Page ID
- 23440
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 4.1: Module Introduction
- This page covers the foundations and organization of Congress, emphasizing its creation during the 1787 Constitutional Convention and the powers outlined in Article I, Section 8. It discusses current challenges like executive orders and partisan gridlock that impact Congress’s legislative effectiveness. Learning outcomes include comprehension of individual roles in society, critical thinking about political institutions, and understanding the historical context of contemporary issues.
- 4.2: Lecture Content
- This page discusses congressional term limits and their ramifications, referencing Alexander Hamilton's views in Federalist No. 72, which caution against potential corruption and stress the value of experience. It examines the apportionment of Congressional representation post-census, addressing historical malapportionment and descriptive representation issues. The summary concludes on a hopeful note about future changes in representation that may better reflect demographic shifts.
- 4.3: Reading- The Powers of Congress
- This page outlines the powers of Congress as defined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution, highlighting its role as the legislative branch responsible for lawmaking, budget control, and management of commerce and defense. It specifies the distinct powers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, including the initiation of tax bills and war declarations.
- 4.4: Reading- A Bicameral Legislative Branch
- This page explains the structure of the U.S. Congress as a bicameral legislature designed to balance power. It contrasts the House of Representatives, characterized by its larger size, shorter two-year terms, and democratic nature, with the Senate, a smaller, elite body with six-year terms that operates with fewer rules. Additionally, it notes differences in media focus and electoral dynamics between the two chambers.
- 4.5: Reading- Congressional and Other Elections
- This page discusses the importance of congressional elections, focusing on House and Senate races, midterm elections, gerrymandering, and ballot measures. Congressional elections, held biennially, significantly affect party control and public policy, with midterms often indicating presidential approval ratings. Gerrymandering manipulates district boundaries for electoral gain.
- 4.6: Reading- Parties in Congress
- This page discusses the essential role of political parties in Congress, noting that most members are either Democrats or Republicans, which fosters ideological alignment and lawmaking. Parties use caucuses to elect leaders, approve assignments, and enhance loyalty. Factional groups within Congress also influence legislative agendas. Since the 1970s, party voting has increased, frequently aligning members with party positions, sometimes at odds with constituents' views.
- 4.7: Reading- The Legislative Process
- This page outlines the complex legislative process in Congress, which involves multiple steps such as debate, voting, and reconciliation of bills. A bill must pass both the House and Senate and receive presidential approval to become law, though it can be vetoed. The budget process similarly requires cooperation among various entities. C-SPAN plays an important role in public access to congressional proceedings and government information.
- 4.8: Reading- Congress in the Information Age
- This page analyzes the portrayal of Congress in media, noting that film often presents members as flawed and corrupt, which contrasts with more positive local coverage that focuses on individual representatives. The evolution of media interactions highlights a shift towards direct engagement through digital platforms, while public trust in Congress has declined due to perceptions of dysfunction.
- 4.9: Putting It Together
- This page highlights Congress as the legislative branch established in Article I of the Constitution, featuring a bicameral structure with the House and Senate. Political parties impact operations and leadership, while committees are crucial in the legislative process. Despite greater diversity in membership, Congress still largely represents older, white males. Members prioritize constituent relations and media outreach, highlighting the complex dynamics within this legislative body.
- 4.10: Module 4 Assessments
- This page outlines a political issues course featuring discussion forums on congressional term limits, a collaborative team project with a comprehensive paper, and a quiz assessing prior knowledge. Participants engage in peer responses, and grading criteria for each component are provided.