Description
Book SynopsisLearn by doing with Bell's THE U.S. CONGRESS: A SIMULATION FOR STUDENTS, Second Edition, where you step into the role of House of Representatives member and engage in role-playing activities to understand the inner workings of Capitol Hill. As you join a political party, write legislation, craft strategies to shepherd legislation through committee hearings, participate in floor debates and report back to your constituents at home, you experience Congress through a range of intellectual, emotional, political and strategic connection points. Applying class readings to your simulation role-playing brings chapter concepts to life, and working through real-world challenges gives you unique insight into the role of Congress in the American political system.
Table of Contents1. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SIMULATION. Simulation Goals. The Congress Then and Now. 2. THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. The Textbook Legislative Process. Unorthodox Lawmaking. 3. THE SIMULATION. Who Are the Members of the Current Congress? Simulation Assignment 1: Selecting a Member of Congress. Where Can I Find Information About Members of Congress? Simulation Assignment 2: Member Profile. How Members Organize Themselves. Party Caucuses. Simulation Exercise: Party Caucuses. Writing Legislation. Simulation Assignment 3: Writing Legislation. Simulation Assignment 4: Dear Colleague Letter. Simulation Assignment 5: Bill Justification. Simulation Assignment 6: Adding Cosponsors. Committees. Simulation Exercise: Committee Meetings. Simulation Exercise: Second Party Caucuses. Floor Debate and Voting. Communicating with Constituents. Simulation Assignment 7: Constituency Newsletter. Conclusion. Member Selection Sheet. Member Profile Worksheet. Legislation Worksheet. Cosponsor Form. Rules Committee Worksheet (Optional). Floor Debate Worksheet. 4. RESOURCES FOR FUTURE STUDY. Biographies/Autobiographies of Members of Congress. Books About How Congress Works. Scholarly Books About the Congress and the Legislative Process. Notes. References. Appendix I: Sample Bills/Resolutions. Appendix II: Sample Dear Colleague Letters. Appendix III: Getting a Job or Internship in the Congress. Index.
