This course examines the nature of the modern Congress. Topics covered will include Congressional campaigns and elections, the nature of Congressional careers (what it's like to be a Representative or Senator), the institution's relations with other important political actors and institutions (e.g., the President), and the politics of the legislative process. Ultimately, our concerns will be with the representativeness of legislators (individually and collectively), and the viability of the institution as a legislative body. That is, do Congress and our representatives act as we would like?, and can the modern Congress avoid gridlock?