Study Outline
Political Science 2302

Chapter 1: The Democratic Republic

  1. The Study of Politics
    1. Conflict over resources and values
    2. Resolve conflict through collective-decision making institutions
  2. Concepts associated with the study of American Government
    1. Politics
    2. Power
    3. Government
    4. Constitution
    5. Political System
    6. Public Policy
    7. Democracy
  3. The Political System Model
    1. Definition and description
    2. Component parts of political system model
      1. Inputs - demands and supports
      2. Outputs - public policy
      3. Linkage institutions - parties, interest groups, media, elections
      4. Feedback
      5. Environment
  4. American Democracy
    1. Distinguish between representative democracy and direct democracy
    2. Core Values of Democracy
      1. Universal suffrage
      2. Political Equality
      3. Guarantee basic freedoms
      4. Majority Rule
      5. Protection of Minority Rights
      6. Economic Freedom & Property Rights
  5. Political Ideology versus Political Culture

Chapter 12: The Congress

  1. Introduction - A Policymaking Institution
  2. Presidential and Congressional Elections
    1. Elections of 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008
    2. Congressional Elections of 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010
  3. The 112th Congress
    1. Social and Demographic Characteristics
    2. Religion in Congress
  4. Congress as an Institution
    1. Qualifications for Service in Congress
    2. Congress as a bicameral institution
    3. Congressional Apportionment and Redistricting
      1. Malapportionment
      2. Gerrymandering
      3. Case law
        1. Wesberry v. Sanders
        2. Reynolds v. Sims
        3. Kilgarlin v. Martin
        4. Davis v. Bandemer
  5. Who gets elected to Congress?
    1. The Legislator
    2. Power of Incumbency
  6. Nature and Functions of Members of Congress
    1. Lawmaking
    2. Service to constituents
    3. Representation
    4. Oversight
    5. Public education
  7. Structure of Congress
    1. Leadership roles
    2. Committee system
    3. Congressional staff
    4. Support agencies
    5. Differences between the House and the Senate
      1. Filibuster
      2. Cloture
      3. House Rules Committee
  8. The Legislative Process
    1. Steps of Lawmaking
    2. Difference between the House and Senate

Texas Politics

Chapter 24: The Texas Legislature

  1. Comparison of the Texas Legislature to the U.S. Congress
  2. General Characteristics of the 82th Texas Legislature
    1. Bicameral Structure
    2. Sessions
    3. Demographic
    4. Membership
  3. Issues Pertaining to Representation in the Texas Legislative
    1. Reapportionment and Equity Representation - Relevant Case Law
    2. Gerrymandering
      1. Relevant Case Law
        1. Shaw v. Reno
        2. Lulac v. Perry
      2. Racial Gerrymandering
      3. Partisan Gerrymandering
      4. Political Gerrymandering in the 2000s
      5. Role of Tom DeLay
  4. Organization of the Texas Legislature
    1. Leadership of Texas legislature - powers of the presiding officers
    2. Committee system
  5. The Legislative Process - How does a bill become law?
    1. Committee action
    2. Floor Action
  6. Influence on the Legislative Policymaking
    1. Legislative leadership
    2. Factors that affect the legislative process
    3. Roles of legislators in representing the interests of their constituents?