This course examines and compares state legislatures and Congress. It includes topics on legislatures such as institutions, the legislator, legislative organization, legislative process, house leadership, influence of outside actors, and policy making. The course investigates legislatures because they are at the heart of what it means to be a representative democracy, and they are the first branch of government in a republic based on laws. They are also studied because they are one of the least trusted institutions in America and students will probe the reasons why this is the case.