As
the core experiential learning tool, the Model Congress seeks to educate students
about the legislative process. We use the U.S. House of Representatives
as a basis for our committees. Students then simulate the duties of a Member
of Congress, highlighting the pressures, limitations, and complexity surrounding
policy-making in America. By choosing topical committees, students may debate
the most prominent issues of the year.
Preparation:
To prepare for the Model
Congress, you should familiarize yourself with the operations of the US Congress
and it's committee structure by visiting several of the links below. Following
this introduction, you should study the Timeline and Rules of the Model Congress.
As many past participants will tell you, the more familiar you are with the rules
the more easily you can pass the legislation of the committee. Lastly, you should
read the Constitution and How a Bill Becomes a Law. Both will give you the context
of the responsibilities of Congress and the process they go thorough to pass laws.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via phone:
(800) 368-5688, or e-mail: info@workshops.org.
The
total number of committees will depend on the size of each session, with no more
than 5 per session. The ideal committee size ranges from 15-20 seminar participants.
Possible committee topics for the 2004 program year are as follows:
Each evening, students
meet with their fellow committee members to discuss the various issues in the
preparation of their model bill. On Thursday evening; the final night of the seminar,
all seminar participants will convene on Capitol Hill for the final Model Congress
debates. To get a better idea of how the Model Congress debate functions
during your seminar week, please click on the following link:
Model
Congress Timeline and Rules
If you do not already have
the free Acrobat Reader, download it here:
As
you prepare for the Model Congress, we suggest that you read How our Laws are
Made, a pamphlet available at http://www.house.gov/house/HOLAM.TXT
or from your congressional offices. We also suggest that you read Article One
of the U.S. Constitution, which deals with the operation of Congress. The Constitution
is available at http://www.house.gov/house/Constitution/Constitution.html.
We look forward to seeing you in
Washington, D.C.
for your seminar!
