POLI2309 · Political Science
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
Americans are habitually fierce critics of Congress even as they like (and usually reelect) their own representatives. In this course, we try to explain this paradox by investigating the ways in which the structure and organization of Congress allows members to cultivate personal popularity despite rampant disapproval of the institution in which they serve. Among other topics, the course addresses the nomination and election of congressional candidates, the roles of congressional parties and leaders, and the influence over the legislative process of the committee system, rules and procedures, lobbyists and interest groups, and other branches of government.
Course experience
Averages use the original five-point historical evaluation scale.
Organization
4.8 / 5
How well the course was organized
Challenge
4.4 / 5
How intellectually challenging students found it
Attendance
4.5 / 5
How necessary attendance was
Assignments
4.3 / 5
How helpful assignments were
Weekly effort
~3
hours per week
Estimated from the original workload response buckets. Individual sections may differ.
Instructor options
Ratings below reflect only recovered evaluations connected to this course.
Student perspective
Recovered and new anonymous comments are shown as written and may reflect different course formats.
May 14, 2026 · Historical comment
Definitely an intelligent academic and passionate guy. However, lectured the entire class and only 3 assignments: 2 papers and final. No review, no resources. Provided little feedback on assignments and wasn't too helpful in office hours. Grading expectations seemed high as well.
Across time
Section-level results available in the recovered archive.
Fall 2023
1 sectionFall 2022
1 sectionFall 2021
1 sectionFall 2020
1 section