Congress, Elections, and the Presidency

Fall 2016 UCDC Syllabus Dr. Demessie Congress, Elections, and the Presidency

Wednesdays, 6:30PM – 9:30PM, Room 318 Fall Semester 2016, September 28 – December 7

Instructor: Dr. Demessie Email: [email protected] Room: 318 Phone: 734-834-1403 Office Hours: 1:00pm – 2:00pm & by appointment

** This course provides students with an exclusive opportunity for publication and student presentation to policy panel of experts**

Course Instructor

Dr. Menna Demessie is the Vice President of Policy Analysis and Research at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation where she leads the foundation’s policy initiatives in the areas of education, economic opportunity, public health, and environmental sustainability as it affects the global black community. She received her joint PhD in political science and public policy from the University of Michigan where she conducted the first and only empirical and qualitative study of African congressional caucuses in the U.S. House of Representatives and received the highly competitive Congressional Research Award from the Dirksen Congressional Center. Her research areas include American government and legislative behavior, U.S.-Africa Foreign Policy, International Relations, and Race and Ethnic Politics. She is a passionate scholar who was one of only five political scientists chosen in 2011 for the prestigious American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and worked for Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13) in the 112th Congress in the areas of unemployment legislation, poverty, and foreign affairs. In 2013, Dr. Demessie established the DC African Coalition with a few likeminded activists, and successfully lobbied the DC City Council to authorize independent grant making authority for the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs for the first time in its history along with an increased budget to better serve the African immigrant communities in the District of Columbia. She has spoken and published on the critical importance of mobilization and representation of black ethnic groups and the need for the U.S. government to recognize the value of working in partnership with Diaspora communities in addressing domestic and international policy.

Since 2000, Professor Demessie has tirelessly served as the National Youth Coordinator for the Society of Ethiopians Established in the Diaspora (SEED), a nonprofit aimed at empowering Ethiopian American youth in academic excellence, community service, and professional development. She also serves as an advisory board member for the Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN), the APSA Congressional Fellowship Advisory Committee, and as a board member for the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy Alumni Board at the University of Michigan.

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Course Description:

This course will focus on the fundamental roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Congress and their interactions with the executive branch as it relates to the policymaking process. Additionally, given the presidential election of 2016, close attention will be paid to current events, media influence, policy issues, and campaigning leading up to and beyond the November 2016 election. Students will also gain further insight into the electoral process and hear first-hand from legislative staffers, policymakers, and others on the realities of campaigning, policymaking, and representation during an election year.

A key feature of the class will involve the analysis of legislative behavior and executive action on policy areas being discussed and debated in the 2016 election cycle. Other topics include the committee system and lawmaking, presidential powers, House and Senate rules/procedures, political parties, the budget process and campaign finance, lobbying and interest groups, foreign policy, the Courts and the Bureaucracy.

Guest speakers will include congressional staffers, lobbyists, activists, and others who will give timely insight into current policy and political debate. Special attention will also focus on the historic election of President Barack Obama and his presidency, party dissension, and public opinion under his tenure.

Seminar requirements include class participation, a research brief, applied writing assignments, and opportunities for publication.

Course Objectives

1. To broaden and deepen students understanding of the interactions of the U.S. Congress, elections, and the Executive Branch and its subsequent impact on policy, public opinion, and legislative behavior.

2. To develop the theoretical, analytical and methodological skills to help students think critically and strategically about the role and impact of the American government with respect to public policy, procedures, process, and representation.

3. To engage and apply the theories and analytical skills to real world policy problems and solutions. Students will be encouraged to share their internship experiences with respect to the issue topics discussed in class. Furthermore, students will be provided with opportunities to engage guest speakers working on the topics they will be studying in an effort to maximize their internship and learning experience. Finally, the publication opportunity with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation will offer the opportunity to analyze or collect quantitative or qualitative data to be shared and disseminated to the broader communities of interest across the country.

Grading Standards and Measurement

Individual assignments in this course will be worth various points but converted to a 100 point scale such that an A=100-93%, A-=92-90%, B+=89-87, B=86-83, B-=82-80, etc. You should understand that only excellent work will earn an A. If the work is good, it will earn a B, and satisfactory work will earn a C. You will earn Ds and Fs if your work is less than satisfactory or of poor quality. If you fail to complete the work, you will earn a 0 for the assignment. Incompletes will be allowed only under the most exceptional circumstances.

Final course grades will be proportioned as follows: Participation------15% Research Outline (2-3 pgs.)------Due Oct 12 before class------15% Policy Brief (2-4 pages)------Due Nov. 9 before class------15% Floor Presentation of Final Paper----Dec 7 in class------10% Final Research Paper (15-20 pgs)---Due Dec 9 by midnight------45% *Check with your university on requirements for length of research paper* According to general university policies, final course grades earned in this class will be worth the following points: A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, C+=2.3, C=2.0, C-=1.7, D=1.0, F=0.

Participation (15%): Your participation grade depends on your attendance and participation and will be based on Q&A and class discussion. Everyone’s opinion should be respected whether you agree or disagree with a comment. Additionally, your grade will never depend on whether you agree with the professor or not. Instead, your participation will be based on your knowledge and facilitation of the readings, understanding of the issues discussed in the class, and the ability to clearly articulate your thoughts and ideas. Short quizzes on readings may be included at instructor’s discretion.

Policy Brief (15%): Students will have the opportunity to develop an issue brief (2-4 pages) to be considered for publication with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Students should thoroughly review the homepage, www.cbcfinc.org, the mission and vision, and the New Horizons Research Initiatives. Upon selection of the public policy topic (i.e. Education, Public Health, Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability), students will conduct research and analysis and produce an issue brief for a targeted audience. Students with similar interests will coordinate with another so as not to duplicate efforts. Further information will be distributed in class, but the brief will still be 15% of your grade regardless of whether it gets published or not. Please note, for those issue briefs that receive a publication opportunity, further revisions maybe requested, but it is up to the student to choose to accept the offer or not and would not affect their grade in any way.

Research Outline (15%): Students will produce a research outline (2-3 pages) for their research paper. The components will include a working title, research question, argument, background summary and significance, data sources to be consulted, and methodology for making the argument.

Final Research Paper (45%): Students will write a research paper (15-20 pgs) on a bill, public policy or federal program/initiative that should be expanded, eliminated, or modified for the better. Review five previous or current related bills in this area, relevant academic studies, media/public opinion articles, and government reports. The paper should focus on your specific proposal relating to your policy topic of choice and explain how it differs from and improves on the status quo. The research outline will help guide the student’s writing and each paper will have the following components: significance of topic, review of the relevant literature, discussion of existing merits based on some original research, an analysis of five related bills, a structured methodology of analysis, and incorporation of the likely political prospects and strategy for passage in today’s current political climate.

Floor Presentation of Paper (10%): Similar to one minute or special order speeches from members of Congress, students will conduct a 2 minute floor presentation advocating for the proposal in their research paper. Students will recite their speeches to a panel of policy/Hill experts. The top three presenters will receive two additional points to their overall grade as scored by the professor.

Course Rules and Regulations

Tardiness: Students are expected to be in class on time. If you are unable to attend class, make sure to discuss the reason with me before class time. Otherwise, the following penalties are in order: 1 unexcused absence = 5% overall grade reduction, 2 unexcused absences= 10% overall grade reduction, 3 unexcused absences = failing grade.

Policy on Weather Emergencies

In the event of a weather emergency, UCDC follows the federal government’s decisions about delays and closures.

Policy on Academic Misconduct

UCDC has a zero-tolerance policy for cheating, plagiarism, and any other form of dishonesty. Students should refer to their home campus Student Code of Conduct for the regulations that apply to them. The burden is on each student to know what behaviors constitute cheating and plagiarism. Ignorance of these behaviors is not an adequate defense. Academic integrity requires you to be responsible students with your research, writing, and scholarship. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and you are encouraged to talk with me if you need clarification on citations with regard to writing assignments.

Statement on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence

The following language is the current UC Policy on Sexual Harassment and the process by which sexual misconduct is reported at UCDC. have hyperlinked the Statement to the policy here. The link is http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SHSV.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Every member of the community should be aware that the University prohibits sexual harassment and sexual violence, and that such behavior violates both law and University policy. The University will respond promptly and effectively to reports of sexual harassment and sexual violence, and will take appropriate action to prevent, to correct, and when necessary, to discipline behavior that violates this policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence.

Students who wish to speak confidentially about an incident of sexual misconduct should contact UCDC’s Counseling Services at [email protected]. To report sexual misconduct to ask questions about UCDC policies and procedures regarding sexual misconduct, please contact the UCDC Title IX administrator, Josh Brimmeier (202-974-6214 or [email protected]). Because the University of California is legally obligated to investigate reports of sexual misconduct, the confidentiality of reported misconduct cannot be guaranteed.

Statement on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

The following language is the UC Policy on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability. We have hyperlinked the Statement to the policy here. The link is http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/2710534/PACAOS- 140. In compliance with the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Public Law 93- 112) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336), University of California policy prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of disability in its programs, services, and activities.

If you require accommodation for class, please let me know at our first meeting (if not earlier) so the necessary arrangements can be made.

Course Communication Tools (Email and Blackboard)

All readings will be made available on Blackboard. Most communication with students involves an email address and usually students have more than one address. Students are asked to identify their primary email address (campus, gmail, whatever) when they register for classes and it is this email that is included on class rosters and entered into Blackboard. To avoid communication difficulties, remind students that you will be using their primary address; if they want to be emailed at a different address, they must change it in the system and let you know. They bear the burden of receiving class communications.

Email: [email protected]

Week 1 (Sept 28): Course Introduction and Overview: A Theoretical Approach to Congress and Legislative Behavior

Davidson, Roger H. and Walter J. Oleszek and Frances E. Lee, Congress and Its Members: Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 2: “Evolution of the Modern Congress,” p.15-41.

Oleszek, Walter, Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process, Chapter 1: “Congress and lawmaking,” p.1-40.

Arnold, R. Douglas, The Logic of Congressional Action, Chapter 4: Electoral Calculations and Legislators’ Decisions, p.60-87

Week 2 (Oct 5) : Political Parties and Legislative Behavior and Procedure in the House and Senate

Oleszek, Walter, Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process, Chapter 5: “House Floor Procedure,” p.176-210.

Oleszek, Walter, Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process, Chapter 7: “Senate Floor Procedure,” p.248-283.

Week 3 (Oct 12) : Committees, Courts, and Congressional Reform Research Outline Due

Rieselbach, Leroy, Congressional Reform: The Changing Modern Congress, Chapter 4: “The Impact of Congressional Reform,” p.94-135.

Davidson, Roger H. and Walter J. Oleszek and Frances E. Lee, Congress and Its Members: Twelfth Edition, Chapter 12: “Congress and the Courts,” p. 345-369.

Schneider, Judy,“The Committee System in the U.S. Congress,” Congressional Research Service Report, p.1-9.

Week 4 (Oct 19): The American Voter, Voting Rights, and the 2016 Elections

Campbell, Angus et. al, The American Voter: Unabridged Edition, Chapter 1, “Setting,” p. 3-18 and Chapter 2, “Theoretical Orientation,” p. 18-37.

Berman, Ari. Give Us the Ballot, Chapter 10: “After Shelby,” p. 286 – 314.

Clayton, Dewey M, The Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama, Chapter 4, “Demographic Groups that Supported Obama, p. 67-88 and Chapter 6: “The Campaign for the White House,” p. 104-133.

Week 5 (Oct 26): Policymaking and Presidential Powers

Davidson, Roger H. and Walter J. Oleszek and Frances E. Lee, Congress and Its Members: Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 10: “Policymaking and the Change in the Two Congresses,” p.281-312.

6 | P a g e Fall 2016 UCDC Syllabus Dr. Demessie Davidson, Roger H. and Walter J. Oleszek and Frances E. Lee, Congress and Its Members: Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 11: “Congress and the Bureaucracy,” p.315-343.

Carson, Jamie. New Directions in Congressional Politics, Chapter 10: Congress and the Executive: Unilateralism and Legislative Bargaining,” p.183-200.

Week 6 (Nov. 2): Representation, Racial Group Interest, and Congressional Caucuses

Clayton, Dewey M. The Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama: A Critical Analysis of a Racially Transcendent Strategy, Chapter 2: “Descriptive and Substantive Representation,” p.25-45.

Singh, Robert. The Congressional Black Caucus: Racial Politics in the U.S. Congress, Chapter 3: The CBC: Caucus Origins and Organization,” p. 51-72.

Walton, Hanes Jr. and Robert Smith. American Politics and the African American Quest for Universal Freedom. Chp 11: “The Congress and the African American Quest for Universal Freedom” p.168-188.

Week 7 (Nov. 9): Elections and Campaign Finance Policy Brief Due

Davidson, Roger H. and Walter J. Oleszek and Frances E. Lee, Congress and Its Members: Thirteenth Edition, Chapter 4: “Making It: The Electoral Game,” p.69-106.

Clayton, Dewey M, The Presidential Campaign of Barack Obama, Ch 6: “ The Campaign for the White House,” p. 104-133.

Garrett, R. Sam. “The State of Campaign Finance Policy: Recent Developments and Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service Report, p. 1-28.

Week 8 (Nov. 16): Polling, Public Opinion, and Policy

Asher, Herbert, Polling and the Public: What Every Citizen Should Know, Chapter 6: “The Media and the Polls,” p.104-123 and Chapter 7: “Polls and Elections,” p.125-157.

Hutchings, Vincent. Public Opinion and Democratic Accountability. Chapter 1: “Issue Importance, Political Context, and Democratic Responsiveness,” p. 1-17.

Sulkin, Tracy, Issue Politics in Congress, Chp 1: “Electoral Challenges and Legislative Responsiveness,” p. 1-18 and Chp. 2: “A Theory of Issue Uptake,” p, 19-43, and Ch 9: “Elections, Governance, and Representation,” p.167-177.

Week 9 (Nov. 30) : The Budget Process

7 | P a g e Fall 2016 UCDC Syllabus Dr. Demessie Oleszek, Walter, Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process, Chapter 2: “The Congressional Budget Process,” p.46-87.

Saturno, James. “The Congressional Budget Process: A Brief Overview,” Congressional Research Service Report, p. 1-6.

Week 10 (Dec 7) : Floor Speeches, Presentations, Special Guest Speaker Panel Floor Presentation Students will deliver floor speeches on their research brief to a guest panel comprised of Capitol Hill legislative staff and administration officials. The top

Research Paper Due Friday, December 9, by midnight to [email protected]

*********** In addition to the readings listed for each topic, additional materials may be provided in advance of class. This syllabus is subject to modification by the instructor.

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