This course provides participants an in-depth and practical understanding of national legislative bodies. Through a comparative approach that utilises both the US Congress and the German Bundestag as case studies, this workshop is a holistic and interactive offering for prospective practitioners interested in influencing the policymaking process. The curriculum incorporates complementary lectures, simulations and discussions with a focus on drafting legislation and amendments, committee hearing and voting procedures, legislative negotiations, lobbying, parliamentary coalition agreements and the impact of elections and campaign contributions. Participants will also garner a stronger aptitude for analysing contemporary political trends and their effects on democratic institutions.
After participating in this workshop, students will be able to:
- Draft legislation and amendments and utilise key legislative procedures;
- Negotiate legislation and coalition agreements with ideologically diverse actors;
- Understand the intersections between politics and policy and the role public and private institutions play in influencing the policymaking process;
- Develop strategies to shape legislation to ensure one’s preferred policy outcome.
