Women in Congress (Tentative Syllabus) GOVT February 08-09, 2003 Ward 5

Transcription

1 Women in Congress (Tentative Syllabus) GOVT February 08-09, 2003 Ward 5 Instructor: Sarah Brewer Office: Ward 237 Phone: sbrewer@american.edu The Course: This course will examine the history of women in the U.S. Congress. It will explore the history and work of the Congressional Caucus for Women s Issues, the relationship between the media and women members, the impact of women members of Congress on public policy, and the increasing role of women in congressional leadership. Class Policies: Attendance for this class is absolutely mandatory. In order to receive credit for the course you must arrive on time and be present for both Saturday and Sunday. A series of speakers have been invited to speak to the class. They have taken the time out of their schedule to come and speak to you, please be courteous and engaging. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Readings: There are reading requirements that need to be accomplished before class begins on Saturday. It is important that you do the reading prior to class, as many of the speakers will be addressing topics that have similar themes as the assigned literature. There is one required text for the class; copies are available in the campus bookstore. O Connor, Karen Women in Congress: Running, Winning, and Ruling. New York: Haworth Press. Levy, Tien, and Aved. Do Differences matter? Women Members of Congress and the Hyde Amendment. p Shogun. Speaking Out: An Analysis of Democratic and Republican Woman-Invoked Rhetoric of the 105 th Congress. p Niven and Zilber. How Does She Have Time for Kids and Congress Views on Gender and Media Coverage from House Offices. p Swers. Research on Women in Legislatures: What have We Learned, Where Are We Going? p The White House Project Whose Talking? An Analysis of Sunday Morning Talk Shows. This is available in the Women & Politics Institute office, Ward 235.

2 Assignments and Grading: Member Profile (20%): You will be assigned a woman member of Congress and create a profile for that member to be used in the in-class simulation scheduled Sunday morning. Details for the member profile are found in your course packets. Class Simulation and Class Participation (30%): It is imperative that all members of Congress (and as a result, so must you) participate in the class simulation. In addition, students must engage the speakers with thoughtful questions and participate in class discussions. Policy Briefing (50%): You will be a Legislative Director for your woman member of Congress and write a 5-7 page policy briefing on a policy item from the Women s Caucus agenda. This policy briefing will outline a specific piece of legislation that your Congresswoman will sponsor in the 108 th Congress and will include a discussion of the history of the legislation, co-sponsors for the bill, interest groups that support the legislation, anticipated opposition to your legislation, and a media strategy to highlight the importance of the issue. Please note that these policies need to be approved by all caucus members. A sample briefing is included your packets.

3 Saturday February 8, :00-10:00 AM Class Introductions and Course Descriptions 10:00-10:15 AM Break 10:15-11:45 AM History of Women in Congress Sarah Brewer 11:45-12:00 PM Break 12:00-1:00 PM Lunch: Video: Jeanette Rankin: The Woman Who Voted No. 1:00-2:00 PM The History of the Congressional Caucus for Women s Issues Lynsey Morris Staff Assistant, Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY-28). 2:00-2:15 PM Break 2:15-3:15 PM Political Science Research on Women in Congress: What s Been Done and Where is it Going? Sarah Brewer 3:00-3:15 PM Break 3:30-4:30 PM The Rise of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi The First Female to Lead a Major Party in Congress. 4:30-5:00 PM Discuss Congressional Caucus for Women s Issues Simulation

4 Sunday February 09, :00-10:30 AM Congressional Caucus for Women s Issues Simulation 10:30-10:45 AM Break 10:45-11:45 AM Women s interest groups and women members of Congress: Working together to advance public policy - Afghani Women Farida Azizi Senior Advisor, Support for Afghan Women program, Vital Voices Nora O Connell Legislative Director, Women s Edge (invited) Norma Gattsek Director of Policy and Programs, Feminist Majority Foundation (invited) 11:45-12:00 PM Break 12:00-1:00 PM Gender in the Institution: Working with women members of Congress Claire Coleman Chief of Staff, Rep. Nita Lowey (NY-18) Shannon von Felden Legislative Aide, Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV-1) Kathleen Strottman Deputy Legislative Director, Senator Mary Landrieu (LA) 1:15-2:15 PM Congresswomen and the Media Research Analysis Who s Talking? Analysis of Sunday Morning Talk Shows Sharon Kolling Polling Analyst, Lake Snell Perry & Associates 2:15-2:30 PM Break

5 2:30-3:30 PM The Relationship Between Congresswomen and the Press: Insights from Press Secretaries Brian Shubert Press Secretary, Rep. Nancy Johnson (CT-5) Amanda Molk Press Secretary, Rep. Grace Napolitano (CA-38). 3:30-3:45 PM Break and Teaching Evaluations 3:45-4:45 PM Women and Congress Film