Prerequisites: None

Exam Type: No HLS Exam

The United States Congress is the “board of directors” for the Federal Government, and it plays the central role in most national policy decisions. Yet how it works – the real story of how it works – is largely unknown, even among people who have worked in policymaking for a long time. Taught by the faculty chair of Harvard’s Bipartisan Program for Newly Elected Members of Congress, this course puts students in the midst of legislative politics through academic readings and real-world cases. The course begins with the theory and history of legislatures and ends with a simulation involving lobbyists, journalists, and would-be legislators. It is ideal for anyone considering working with the Congress or state legislatures.

Note: This course is jointly-listed with HKS as DPI-120. It will meet at HKS in Belfer 200 Starr Auditorium according to the HKS Academic Calendar.