Current Debates in American Political Institutions

Each week of this class will focus on a recent debate in the American political institutions literature, with the term institutions being broadly defined. Topics will span elected officials' behavior, including by congressional members, the president, and state and local actors; judicial decisionmaking; representation and accountability; campaign finance; the administrative state and policy implementation; and other issues that involve institutional actors. Although the graduate field seminar on institutions is not officially a prerequisite, the class will not repeat this material and therefore for some topics, background readings will be recommended for those will no prior exposure.