POSC 361 - Federal Policy Design and American Energy Policy

This course examines the legislative process whereby Congressional-Executive action creates national policies of significant effect upon American citizens. The lens used to examine the creation of such policies is the Congressional procedure utilized over several decades which constructed laws promulgating American Energy Policy. The course is structured around several themes. Initially the Constitutional foundation for legislative process is explored through understanding the significance and role of Article 1 as the matrix for law making. The construct and effect of the bicameral nature of the Congress working in conjunction with the Executive is then studied. Changing over time Majority - Minority composition of the Congress and its effect on the committee and hearings outcomes is examined. Throughout the course segments energy resource data and statistics are examined and compared to the debate occurring during the policy development process. (Offered fall semester, alternate years.) 3 credits