Learning Objectives
- Understand how questions of representation involve political and institutional considerations as well as questions of identity.
- Describe how the Constitution created Congress, including its structure and powers.
- Describe the rules, institutions, and processes that Congress itself has created to carry out its constitutional role.
- Explain the steps of the legislative process and how it can diverge from traditional “textbook” descriptions.
- Understand the factors that influence an individual’s decision to run, and the resources and skills that successful candidates need.
- Connect the issues surrounding the representation of women in Congress to the challenges involving representation of other individuals in America.