PSCI 218 The American Presidency (Same as Leadership Studies 218) (Not offered 2006-2007; to be offered 2007-2008)
To study the presidency is to study human nature and personality, constitution
and institution, strategy and contingency. This course will examine the problems
and paradoxes that attend the exercise of the most powerful political office in the
world's oldest democracy: Can an executive office be constructed with sufficient energy to govern and also be democratically accountable? How much do
we attribute the shaping of politics to the agency of the individual in the office
and to what extent are politics the result of structural, cultural, and institutional
factors? Are the politics of the presidency different in foreign and domestic
policy? How are national security concerns balanced with domestic priorities
such as the protection of civil liberties? How is the office and purpose of the
presidency affected by an economic order predicated on private capital? Exploration of these questions will lead us to examine topics such as presidential
selection, the bases of presidential power, character and leadership issues, congressional-executive relations, the media, and emergency powers. Attention will
focus largely on the modern presidency, though older historical examples will
also be used to help us gain perspective on these problems.
Format: lecture/discussion.
Requirements: one exam, two short to medium length papers, small group projects, and class participation.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 24 (expected: 24). Open to first-year students with Advanced Placement credit in American politics. Preference will give
given to Political Science majors.
American Politics Subfield