The U.S. Capitol. (Image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey.)
Instructor(s)
Prof. Charles Stewart, III
MIT Course Number
17.261 / 17.262
As Taught In
Fall 2005
Level
Undergraduate / Graduate
Course Description
Course Description
This course analyzes the development of the United States Congress by focusing on the competing theoretical lenses through which legislatures have been studied. In particular, it compares sociological and economic models of legislative behavior, applying those models to floor decision-making, committee behavior, political parties, relations with other branches of the Federal government, and elections. Graduate students are expected to pursue the subject in greater depth through reading and individual research.