how representative is congress?

“The 113th Congress last year was arguably one of the least productive bodies in history.”

112th Congress (2011-2012): 283 111th Congress (2009-2010): 383110th Congress (2007-2008): 460109th Congress (2005-2006): 482108th Congress (2003-2004): 498107th Congress (2001-2002) : 377

113th Congress (2013-2014): 142 public laws (as of July 31, 2014)

Examining the work of Congress

Could you be a political analyst?

How accurate is this statement?

Enquiry Question: How representative of US society is Congress?

Learning Objectives

• To investigate the composition of both Houses of Congress

• To produce a revision aid and presentation explaining the composition of Congress

• To evaluate to what extent Congress can be described as representative

Composition of Congress Project

YOUR TASK:• You are going to complete a project, in

groups of 3, looking at the composition of BOTH Houses of Congress.

• You need to;- find and analyse statistics- assess if Congress is representative- examine whether Congress should be a microcosm of society

• You will then present your findings to the rest of the class.

How representative is Congress?

“The 113th Congress is the

most demographically diverse one yet.”

• Socio-economic background (education, “class”) & Age

• Race and ethnicity, and Religion

• Sexual orientation, Disabilities & Gender

Composition of Congress ProjectHow representative is Congress?

HINT: Find national statistics and compare these with Congress e.g. % of women in population compared with % of women in House, % of

women in Senate, % of women in Congress overall

Composition of Congress Project

YOUR TASK:• You have this lesson and any

extra time you want to spend on this project outside of lessons.

• Next lesson you will be presenting your findings to the class.

How representative is Congress?

“The 113th Congress is the

most demographically diverse one yet.”

Learning Objectives

• To investigate the composition of both Houses of Congress

• To produce a revision aid and presentation explaining the composition of Congress

• To evaluate to what extent Congress can be described as representative

Enduring QuestionsTo what extent is Congress representative of US

society?

Should Congress be a microcosm of US society?

Enduring QuestionsTo what extent is Congress representative of US

society?

Evidence showing Congress is Representative

Evidence showing Congress is not Representative

To what extent can Congress be

described as “representative”

?

Key Question

NO AT ALL

COMPLETELY

LARGELY NOT

LARGELY

FAIRLY

SOMEWHAT

Learning Objectives

• To investigate the composition of both Houses of Congress

• To produce a revision aid and presentation explaining the composition of Congress

• To evaluate to what extent Congress can be described as representative

“The 113th Congress is the most demographically diverse one yet.”

Examining the composition of Congress

Could you be a political analyst?

How accurate is this statement?