COURSE SYLLABUS - Spring 1997

Political Science 430 (01) - The American Presidency
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-1:45 PM, Diloreto 11

INSTRUCTOR:   Prof. Paul Petterson
OFFICE:   015 Diloreto Hall
OFFICE PHONE:   832-2969
OFFICE HOURS:   Monday      2:00-4:00 PM
                                Tuesday      3:15-4:30 PM
                                Wednesday 2:00-3:00 PM
                                Thursday     11:00 AM-12:15 PM, 3:15-4:00 PM
                                And by appointment

COURSE OVERVIEW

This course will be a historical and contemporary study of the institution of the Presidency. To understand the nature of the Presidency, the initial course lectures will examine its constitutional origins, its evolving role and structure, and the range of intellectual approaches that have been employed in studying presidents and the Presidency.

The remainder of the course will focus on the following aspects of the Presidency:

The Presidency And The Public: The presidential selection process; Presidents and public opinion; the role of parties, pressure groups and the media.
The Presidency And National Institutions: Relations with Congress and the federal judiciary (particularly the U.S. Supreme Court).
The Presidency And Policy: Focus on domestic policy, economic policy, and foreign policy.
The President On The World Stage: The impact of international pressures on presidential policymaking.

Though they will be discussed separately, all of these aspects are intertwined in practice, and reflect the dependency of Presidents on cooperation from other political institutions and forces. As the current debates over balancing the federal budget demonstrate, the President does not govern or make policy in a political vacuum.

The major goal of the course is to convey an understanding of the place of the Presidency in the processes of American politics, while also familiarizing you with the spectrum of social science literature on the Presidency. Since this is the spring of a new presidential term, you will be expected to keep up with current events through the news media. My hope is that you will participate actively, and take both knowledge and empowerment from this course. Enjoy!

TEXTS (Available at The Other Bookstore and Campus Bookstore)

Edwards, George C., and Wayne, Stephen J. Presidential Leadership: Politics and Policy Making, 4th edition (1997).

Jones, Charles O. The Presidency in a Separated System (1994).

Patterson, Thomas E., Out Of Order (1994).

REQUIREMENTS

In class exam - March 6	30% of grade
Presentation on Readings	10% of grade
Research paper - due April 17 (15 pages minimum)	20% of grade
Presentation on Research	10% of grade
Final Exam - May 15, 11 AM	20% of grade
Class participation	10% of grade

Students are expected to attend lectures and do assigned readings on time. Each student will have to do one oral presentation on assigned readings, summarizing and critiqueing the material presented (5-10 minutes). Times will be assigned. The topic for the research paper is open, but you will need to have your topic approved in advance. You will be expected to give a 5-10 minute oral presentation on your findings. Late work must be approved-emergencies only!

SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND ASSIGNMENTS

1/28	Introduction: Course overview Contemporary issues and the Presidency.
1/30; 2/4, 6	Origins And History Of The Presidency Constitutional debates Evolution of the Presidency Readings: Edwards, Chapter 1 and Appendix C
2/11	Studying and Understanding The Presidency Presidential personality Historical and institutional approaches Readings: Edwards, Chapter 8 and Appendix A Jones, Chapter 1-2
2/13, 18, 20	The Presidential Selection System Nomination and Election Who runs for President? Campaign strategies Parties and the selection process Other forces: PACs, consultants Readings: Edwards, Chapters 2-3 Begin reading Patterson, Out of Order (finish by 3/6)
2/25, 27; 3/4	Presidents, Media, and the Public Media and the selection process The 1992 and 1996 campaign processes Presidents and public opinion Readings: Edwards, Cahpters 4-5 Patterson, Out of Order Jones, Chapter 4-5
3/6	IN CLASS EXAM
3/11, 13	The Presidency and The Executive Branch #1 White House Staff/EOP/Cabinet Readings: Edwards, Chapter 6; Jones, Chap. 3
3/18, 20	The Presidency and The Executive Branch #2 Executive Departments/ the "Bureaucracy" The President as executive: powers, techniques Readings: Edwards, Chapters 7, 9
3/25, 27	NO CLASS - Spring Break
4/1, 3	The Presidency and Congress Development of legislative role Historical patterns Readings: Edwards, Chapter 10
4/8, 10	The Presidency and Congress Tools of influence, linkage Future of the relationship Readings: Jones, Chapters 6-8
4/15	The Presidency and The Judiciary Appointments Questions of Executive Authority Readings: Edwards, Chapter 11
4/17, 22, 24	The President and Domestic Policy Institutions Role of state governments Issues: Health, Welfare, Crime, Economy Readings: Edwards, Chapter 12 - 13 RESEARCH PAPER DUE 4/17
4/29; 5/1, 6	CLASS PRESENTATIONS ON RESEARCH PAPERS
5/8, 13	The President and Foreign Policy Institutions Presidential authority National security/defense issues The Presidency and The World in the 21st Century Readings: Edwards, Chapter 14
5/15	FINAL EXAM - 11 AM