Politics 30: The United States Congress
Pomona College
Prof. David Menefee-Libey

Simulation strategy memo (Paper 3a)

On Monday evening, before the simulation begins, you must submit to me a very brief memo outlining your plans for the simulation.  Assume that the content is confidential; I will not tell any other participant what you have written.

The memo should be no longer than one page (single-spaced), and it must include the following headings.  Be brief and specific.  Give me lists as bullet points.

Issues and strategy:
1.  What are your top three policy priorities in this simulation?  What should I watch for in legislation to find out if you were successful?
2.  What strategies will you use to attain those goals?  Be specific.  What information do you need?  Whom will you work with?  Who is likely to be your biggest problem?  How will you know whether things are going well?
3.  What are your chances of success and why?

Your place in the division of labor:
1.  Which colleagues are you working with now and why?  How have you helped your colleagues prepare for the simulation?  What tasks have you been assigned, and by whom?
2.  Which colleagues do you expect to work with during the simulation?  What tasks will you be responsible for?  What should I watch for to see if you are doing good work?

Optional questions, to set up Paper 3b:
1. What procedural matter do you expect to be most unlike the textbook, and why?
2. Which substantive matter do you expect to be most unlike the real Senate, and why?

© David Menefee-Libey
Last modified: January 21, 2013, the day of Barack Obama's Second Presidential Inauguration.