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PS 230 - 1 & 2: The Stud of Politics Winter Trimester 2007 Instructor: Randall D. Smith Office: GDH 211B E-mail: rdsmith@knox.edu Office Phone: (309) 341-7380 Webpage: http://www.oocities.org/randall_d_smith Description: This course presents a study of the American presidency in historical perspective. It seeks to convey the evolution of the institution over time. PS 306 is designed to provide an understanding of the constraints placed on the individuals that hold this office as well as the manner in which the behavior of these individuals irrevocably change the institution itself. Within this context, the traditional aspects of, elections, personality, power, public opinion, and relations between branches are discussed alongside the “institutionalization” of the office itself. This course is primarily a seminar style course. Students are expected to read the assigned readings before the course meets and to be prepared to discuss the topics covered in the readings. These discussions will serve to inform the instructor of student interest and will allow for specialization of the coursework at the end of the term (noted by TBA on the syllabus). Topics garnering the most interest will be further scrutinized during this in-depth study and will be supplemented with directed readings. The intended result is to ensure students have a solid grasp of the basics of the study of the American Presidency, but also more thorough knowledge in areas that they deem interesting. It is likely that the topics covered in this course will stem heated debate, which is welcomed by the instructor. Texts: Pfiffner, James P.. 2008. The Modern Presidency, 5th Ed.. Belmont, CA. Thomson/Wadsworth. ISBN-10: 0-495-18994-4; ISBN-13: 978-0-495-18994-7 Milkis, Sidney M. and Michael Nelson. 2003. The American Presidency: Origins and Development, 4th Ed.. Washington DC. Congressional Quarterly Press. ISBN-10: 1-56802-739-7 ISBN-13: 978-1-56802-739-5 Various items placed on reserve in the Seymour (Knox College) Library and/or available via the web at JSTOR (available free through the Library). Objectives and Outcomes: 1. To acquaint students with an historical understanding of the evolution of the American Presidency. 2. To increase knowledge of the various methods employed in the study of the presidency. 3. To offer students the opportunity to apply this knowledge. 4. To impart to students the background necessary for making informed judgments about the current and past administrations. 5. To encourage students to participate actively as global citizens and researchers. Course Methodology: This course utilizes several different teaching techniques to explain the substantive material: 1. Lecture Session – The instructor shares his knowledge, thoughts, and ideas with you on the various topics, books, and articles. He welcomes your input on this material. 2. Discussion Session – This portion of the course provides students a chance to voice their opinion about the American Presidency in a free and open manner, which comprises the participation portion of the students’ grades. 3. Audio-Visual Aids – The instructor utilizes items such as the overhead projector, maps, films, videotapes, computers, musical recordings and other items where appropriate. Examinations and Grading: Your performance determines your course grade in the following manner: 100 points possible = Test I 100 points possible = Test II 100 points possible = Final Paper 100 points possible = Participation 400 points possible = Total Test Grades: This course involves two non-cumulative examinations. These exams cover the textbook readings, the classroom lectures, and class discussions. The exams are closed book, closed note. Final Paper: One paper is required for this course. It should be approximately 10-15 pages in length. This assignment essentially combines all that you have learned this term into one final product. This paper should be written as a “Confidential Memo” to your chosen candidate in the 2008 presidential elections. It should detail 1) your recommendations successful win of the 2008 election, 2) your recommendations for the new administration upon taking office. Remember that delivering on campaign promises can be a very useful tool for a new administration. Thus continuity (or an appearance thereof) should resound throughout the proposal. How should your candidate proceed to win the election? How should they proceed with the legacy left by the Bush administration? This paper should discuss the theories presented in this course and should be supplemented by additional research as well. Participation Grade: The determination of the participation portion of your grade first involves attendance. The necessity of attending every class session thus reflects in this portion of your grade. This participation portion also involves your active contribution to class discussions. Class participation provides the opportunity of receiving an “A” in this course. Therefore, I establish some guidelines for discussion. Concern your comments with the topics concerning the American Presidency. An open manner conducts this discussion. Feel free to disagree with me, the readings, the institutions and political actions discussed, and with your classmates. However, this discussion reflects the collegiate atmosphere in that it unfolds in an intelligent manner and you must support your opinion with facts (that may mean research). Interruption, use of slurs and making fun of other students encounters strict prohibition. |
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PS 306: American Presidency Spring Trimester 2007 |
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| All work requires standard grammatical English and prompt attention to due dates. I cannot grade what I cannot read. If I cannot read an assignment I ask you once to rewrite it, and after that first warning you either receive a reduced grade or no credit. Cheating and plagiarism also encounter strict prohibition and require that I deal with them according to Knox College policy and procedure. |
| Course and Topic Outline:
Wednesday, 3/21/07 Introduction Friday, 3/23/07 His Excellency, I mean, Mr. President Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapters 1 & 2. Monday, 3/26/07 Making Presidents Out of Paper, Competing Perspectives Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 3 & 4. Wednesday, 3/28/07 To the Victor Go the Spoils, the Jacksonian Way Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 5. Friday, 3/30/07 A Glimpse of the Future, Lincoln as Politician Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 6; Read also: Riker, William H.. 1986. “Chapter 1: Lincoln at Freeport.” in The Art of Political Manipulation. New Haven. Yale University Press. pp. 1-10. (On Reserve) Monday, 4/2/07 Rhetoric Fails, Then Returns, Speaking Softly and Carrying a Big Stick Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 7 & 8. Wednesday, 4/4/07 Impediments to Vision, that Pesky Congress Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 9. Friday, 4/6/07 The Presidency Under a “Return to Normalcy” Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 10. Monday, 4/9/07 The Benchmark of Modernity, and Review Read: Pfiffner, Chapter 1. Wednesday, 4/11/07 TEST I Friday, 4/13/07 No Class – Instructor Must Attend MPSA Annual Meeting. Monday, 4/16/07 The Consolidation of “The Modern Presidency” Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 11. Wednesday, 4/18/07 Personality and the Power of TV Since Kennedy Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 12. Friday, 4/20/07 A Rhetorical Climax? – The Great Communicator Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 13. Monday, 4/23/07 Politics as Politics, The Slick Willy Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 14. Wednesday, 4/25/07 The Power of “W” Read: Milkis and Nelson, Chapter 15. Friday, 4/27/07 Sending Your Vote to College Read: Pfiffner, pp. 19-43; Read also: Polsby, Nelson W. and Aaron Wildavsky, 2004. “Chapter 3: Rules and Money.” in Presidential Elections: Strategies and Structures of American Politics. Boulder. Rowman and Littlefield. pp. 51-86. (On Reserve) Review: Milkis and Nelson, pp. 505-411. Monday, 4/30/07 Keeping the Ball Rolling Read: Polsby, Nelson W. and Aaron Wildavsky, 2004. “Chapter 4: The Nomination Process.” in Presidential Elections: Strategies and Structures of American Politics. Boulder. Rowman and Littlefield. pp. 89-136. (On Reserve) Read also: Graber, Doris A.. 1997. Mass Media and American Politics. CQ Press. Washington, DC. Chapter 8 (pp 228-268). (On Reserve) Wednesday, 5/2/07 What a Campaign … Read: Polsby, Nelson W. and Aaron Wildavsky, 2004. “Chapter 5: The Campaign.” in Presidential Elections: Strategies and Structures of American Politics. Boulder. Rowman and Littlefield. pp. 137-191. (On Reserve) Friday, 5/4/07 Checking the Polls Read: Pfiffner, pp. 45-54; Read also: Mueller, John E.. Mar. 1970. “Presidential Popularity from Truman to Johnson.” The American Political Science Review. Vol. 64, No. 1. pp. 18-34. (Available Through JSTOR) Monday, 5/7/07 The Who? Read: Pfiffner, Chapter 3. Wednesday, 5/9/07 Institutionalized Bureaucracy Read: Pfiffner, Chapter 4 & 5. Friday, 5/11/07 Domestic Policy Relations With Congress (Leader v. Led). Read: Pfiffner, Chapter 6. Monday, 5/14/07 Foreign Policy Relations With Congress (Leader v. Led) Read: Pfiffner, Chapter 7. Wednesday, 5/16/07 “Oops I Did it Again” vs. “25 or 6 to 4” Read: Pfiffner, Chapter 8. Friday, 5/18/07 TEST II Monday, 5/21/07 TBA – There will be reserve readings Wednesday, 5/23/07 TBA – There will be reserve readings Friday, 5/25/07 TBA – There will be reserve readings Saturday, 5/26/07 Reading Day Sunday – Tuesday, 5/27-29/07 Final Examination Period |
| This syllabus remains subject to change at the instructor’s discretion, without prior notice.
Students with disabilities who require accommodations for access and participation in this course must be registered with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Please contact CTL at (309) 341-7151. Please also inform the instructor so that appropriate accommodations may be made. |
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