POLS 672 The U.S. Presidency
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Semester: Spring 2007 http://www.csuchico.edu/~ct65/syllabi/presidencyspring07.html |
Instructor: Dr. Charles C. Turner Thursday
9:30-11am |
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Scope and
Purpose
This is a graduate course on the American Presidency. We will begin with a thorough examination of the role the presidency has played in American constitutionalism. Then we will focus on the problem of consistency and change in the institution over time. Our final focus will be on the variety of approaches scholars have taken to studying the presidency. Throughout, we will be examining both the content and the form of arguments about the presidency in an effort to enhance both our knowledge of the office and our understanding of political science as an academic discipline. In other words, this is not a course on "Anecdotes About Presidents" but rather a graduate seminar on the development and dynamics of presidential scholarship. Some of the questions we will explore include: How do we assess presidential success and failure? What are the most effective ways of studying the presidency? Is presidential behavior best explained by the institutional and temporal context, individual character and personality, the formal rules of the office, or some combination of these? In addition to class discussion and shorter writings, you will have an opportunity to address these questions more formally in a seminar/research paper that assesses a presidential crisis.
The format of the class will emphasize and encourage student involvement. Most weeks will consist of a short lecture by the instructor, presentation of one or more book reviews, and discussion and critique of the week's readings. Discussion questions will be generated through short writing assignments. You should expect to come to class each week having completed the assigned reading and prepared to discuss its merits and the questions it raises.
We will be discussing a wide range of issues in this class. Sometimes you will have questions: feel free to ask them. Sometimes you will disagree with a classmate. Sometimes you will disagree with me. That's okay! The political process is about deliberation and reasonable people often disagree.
Course
Readings
The following seven books are required for the course and are available at the Associated Students Bookstore (underlined titles are links to publisher web pages--you are welcome to purchase the books from whatever source you like):
Barber, James David. 1992. Presidential Character: Predicting Performance in the White House, 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 0-13-718123-X.
Ellis, Richard J. 1999. Founding the American Presidency. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 0-8476-9499-2.
Greenstein, Fred I. 2004. The Presidential Difference. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 0-691-11909-0. (any edition is fine)
Kernell, Samuel. 2007. Going Public, 4th ed.. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 1-56802-899-7.
Schumaker, Paul D. and Burdett A. Loomis. 2002. Choosing a President. New York: Chatham House/CQ, 1-889119-53-9.
Skowronek, Stephen. 1997. The Politics Presidents Make. Cambridge: Belknap/Harvard, 0-674-68937-2.
Strong, Robert A. 2005. Decisions and Dilemmas, 2nd ed. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 0-7656-1578-9.
These books will be supplemented with reading from other sources. These additional readings are available on the internet (see below). You will need to access this syllabus on the web on a regular basis in order to complete the readings and other class assignments.
Course Requirements and Grading
For the University grading guidelines, consult the University
Catalog.
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Your grade for the course will be based on the following: |
These are the outcomes: |
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Weekly Précis: On each of five weeks over the course of the semester (beginning February 6th at the earliest) you should come to class with a 1-2 page (typed, double spaced) précis of the week's assigned reading. The précis should succinctly summarize the main points of the reading, comment on the strengths and weaknesses of the author's argument(s), and raise questions for class discussion (these questions will be used to form part of the class discussion of that reading). Your first one should include a printed and signed copy of Chico State's Policy on Academic Integrity. Sign it to indicate that you understand what plagiarism is, staple these two things together and bring them to class. These are worth 20 points each for a total of 100 points. Only the first two pages will be read.
Book Review: On February 6th you will sign up for one additional reading in order to write a book review. You will be responsible for writing a thorough review (about 5 pages) of the additional reading you select, due the day indicated below. Your review should thoroughly describe the form and content of the author's argument, assess and critique the book’s contribution to our understanding of the presidency, assess and critique the book’s organization and method, and discuss appropriate audiences for the book. You are responsible for bringing enough copies of the summary for distribution to the entire class and the professor (preferably double-sided). You are also responsible for leading a brief discussion on the book’s topic during class. Since your book might not be readily available at Meriam Library (meaning that you might need to use inter-library loan), you need to get started on this early. We will discuss this assignment in more detail in class and look at some examples.
Research Paper: On May 8th you will turn in a research paper (about 15-20 pages) that investigates a presidential crisis. While you are not required to use one of the topics from this list, you do need to have your topic approved by the instructor. Your bibliography must include at least 8 academic sources, including at least 2 articles from scholarly journals. Your paper should thoroughly describe the crisis (demonstrating independent research) and should thoroughly address how each of the following factors played a role in the outcome of this crisis: the Constitution, the president's personality and leadership style, and the time period (demonstrating an understanding of assigned class readings). Your paper's thesis should make an argument about how scholars should interpret the president's actions.
Participation: Class attendance and participation are vital elements of a graduate seminar. You should come to each class prepared to discuss the week's readings. We will be learning a lot through active participation in discussions--working though our ideas and interpretations out loud, with our classmates. I will call on you to answer questions if I have to, but would prefer that you all participate voluntarily. I'm not expecting "right" answers--sometimes there isn't a right answer; I am expecting thoughtful and intelligent answers that demonstrate you have done the reading and are paying attention.
Other Details
You must make arrangements with the instructor ahead of time if you cannot
attend a class session or complete an assignment on time. Late assignments
will be assessed a full one letter grade penalty (10%) for each class period
they are late. Students are expected to complete their own work.
Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on the assignment and formal charges
with Student Judicial Affairs. For
questions or concerns about plagiarism, please ask me or consult the University Catalog's section
on Academic
Honesty and the University's Policy on Academic
Integrity. The instructor reserves the right to submit papers turned in for
this class to Turnitin.com to test for
plagiarism. If you are unhappy with a grade you receive on an assignment, do
not understand my comments, or believe that I have mis-interpreted your
writing, come talk to me. It is always possible that I have erred. This
syllabus is subject to change and/or revision during the academic term.
Reasonable alternative assignments will be developed for students with
documented learning disabilities. Turn off cell phones and other distracting
devices during class. If your cell phone rings during class you will be
expected to leave the classroom for the remainder of the period.
If you have a documented disability that may require reasonable accommodation,
please contact Disability Support Services (DSS) for coordination of your
academic accommodations. DSS is located in Building E, adjacent to Meriam
Library and Bell Memorial Union (BMU). The DSS phone number is 898-5959 V/TDD
or Fax 898-4411. Visit the DSS Web site at http://www.csuchico.edu/dss/
Since even graduate students are not perfect writers 
, you are encouraged to take advantage of
Chico State's University Writing Center.
Indeed, there are writing assignments every week, so you should look at this
class as an opportunity to enhance your writing skills. Writing well is a
lifelong learning process, so don't feel like you have to be a "bad"
writer to take advantage of student writing services, or that there is no need
for help once you are a "good" writer. There is always room for
improvement! Also, if you do not already own one, a writing guide/manual is an
invaluable tool. Our library has several print
examples and several
web sites that provide citation guides. Some good print examples are:
Hacker, Diana. A
Writer's Reference. Fourth Edition, St. Martin's Press. 1999.
Lunsford, Andrea, and Robert Connors. EasyWriter:
A Pocket Guide. Bedford/St.Martin's Press. 1998.
Scott, Gregory M., and Stephen M. Garrison. The
Political Science Student Writer's Manual. 5th ed., Prentice Hall. 2006.
Strunk, William, Jr. Elements
of Style.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
The faculty union is in the midst of contract negotiations and there is a possibility of a work interruption. Updates on this situation will be provided throughout the course.
Semester
Schedule
- Part 1: The Constitutional Presidency: history and development
- Week 1, January 23
- Introduction of class and syllabus
- Watch video on constitutional presidency (or State of the Union Address).
- Week 2, January 30
- Debating a Presidency
- reading: Ellis, ch.1-5
- discussion of weekly précis assignments
- Additional readings:
- The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, particularly the debates on the presidency: May 29, June 1, 2, 4, 18, July 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, August 6, 14, 17, 20, 24, September 4, 6.
- Thomas E. Cronin, ed., Inventing the American Presidency.
- Michael Nelson, ed., The Evolving Presidency.
- Gary L. Gregg II, Thinking About the Presidency.
- Week 3, February 6
- Creating an Institution
- reading: Ellis, ch.6-11; find a book review in a political science journal, print it out, read it, and bring it to class.
- We will sign up for book reviews in class and discuss the book review assignment.
- Additional readings:
- Charles C. Thatch, Jr., The Creation of the Presidency.
- Sidney M. Milkis and Michael Nelson, The American Presidency--Origins and Development.
- Week 4, February 13
- Historical Perspectives
- Discuss and select research paper topics
- reading: Strong preface and chapters 1-2, King handout.
- Additional readings:
- Joseph M. Bessette and Jeffrey Tulis, eds., The Presidency in the Constitutional Order.
- Russell L. Riley, The Presidency and the Politics of Racial Inequality.
- Richard F. Fenno, The President's Cabinet.
- Part 2: Assessing The Modern Presidency
- Week 5, February 20
- Presidential Power, the Modern Presidency, and Leadership Style
- reading: Greenstein, all.
- Additional readings:
- Richard E. Neustadt, Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents.
- James MacGregor Burns, Running Alone.
- Theodore J. Lowi, The Personal President.
- Robert S. Hirschfield, ed., The Power of the Presidency.
- David K. Nichols, The Myth of the Modern Presidency.
- William W. Lammers and Michael A. Genovese, The Presidency and Domestic Policy.
- Steven A. Shull, Policy by Other Means.
- Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., The Imperial Presidency.
- Aaron Wildavsky, The Beleaguered Presidency.
- Week 6, February 27
- Presidential Personality and Character
- reading: Barber, all.
- Additional readings:
- Stanley Renshon, The Psychological Assessment of Presidential Candidates.
- Jerrold M. Post, The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaders.
- George C. Edwards III, John H. Kessel, and Bert A. Rockman, eds., Researching the Presidency.
- Richard Rose, The Postmodern President.
- Phillip G. Henderson, ed., The Presidency Then and Now.
- David Abshire, ed., Triumphs and Tragedies of the Modern Presidency.
- John H. Kessel, Presidents, the Presidency, and the Political Environment.
- Michael A. Genovese, The Presidential Dilemma.
- Week 7, March 6
- The Use and Abuse of Presidential War Powers
- reading: Strong chapters 3, 6; Wildavsky (handout); The National Security Strategy of the United States of America.
- Watch video "Eisenhower's Farewell Address"
- Additional readings:
- Louis Fisher, Presidential War Power.
- Louis Fisher, Constitutional Conflicts between Congress and the President.
- Theodore C. Sorensen, Decision-Making in the White House.
- Supreme Court: Ex parte Milligan, 71 U.S. 2 (1866), Korematsu v. United States, 323 U.S. 214 (1944), Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, 343 U.S. 579 (1952).
- Peake, Jeffrey S. 2001. "Presidential Agenda Setting in Foreign Policy." Political Research Quarterly, 54 (1): 69-86.
- Robert Jervis. 2003. "Understanding the Bush Doctrine." Political Science Quarterly, 118 (3): 365-388.
- Week 8, March 13
- Presidential Power and Assessments of the Contemporary Presidency
- reading: Strong, chapters 7-9.
- Additional readings:
- Colin Campbell and Bert A. Rockman, The George W. Bush Presidency.
- Bob Woodward, Plan of Attack.
- Justin Frank, Bush on the Couch.
- Bill Sammon, Misunderestimated.
- John Podhoretz, Bush Country.
- John W. Dean, Worse Than Watergate.
- Louis Fisher. 2003. "Deciding on War Against Iraq: Institutional Failures." Political Science Quarterly, 118 (3): 389-410.
o Week 9, March 19-23—SPRING BREAK! NO
CLASS.
- Part 3: Studying the Presidency: patterns and problems
- Week 10, March 27
- Predicting Presidencies: The study of institutions and behavior
- reading: Skowronek, p.1-464.
- Additional readings:
- Marc Landy and Sidney M. Milkis, Presidential Greatness.
- Mordecai Lee, Institutionalizing Congress and the Presidency.
- Hult, Karen M., Charles E. Walcott, and Thomas Weko. 1999. "Qualitative Research and the Study of the U.S. Presidency." Congress & The Presidency, 26 (2): 133-152.
- Week 11, April 3
- Presidential Elections
- reading: Schumaker and Loomis, all.
- we will discuss the candidate field for the upcoming presidential election.
· Additional readings:
o James W. Ceaser, Presidential Selection.
o James W. Ceaser and Andrew E. Busch, The Perfect Tie.
o Rhodes Cook, The Presidential Nominating Process.
o Bruce Buchanan, Presidential Campaign Quality.
o William G. Mayer, ed., The Making of the Presidential Candidates 2004.
o Garvin Karunaratne, The Administrative Bungling that Hijacked the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election.
o Jack N. Rakove. 2004. "Presidential Selection: Electoral Fallacies." Political Science Quarterly, 119(1): 21-37.
o Judith A. Best. 2004. "Presidential Selection: Complex Problems and Simple Solutions." Political Science Quarterly, 119(1): 39-59.
o John R. Petrocik, William L. Benoit, and Glenn J. Hansen, 2003-04. "Issue Ownership and Presidential Campaigning, 1952-2000." Political Science Quarterly, 118 (4): 599-626.
o Robert S. Erikson. 2001. "The 2000 Presidential Election in Historical Perspective." Political Science Quarterly, 116 (1): 29-52.
- Week 12, April 10
- Presidential Crises
- reading: Strong chapters 4-5; Lincoln's Message to Congress in Special Session--July 4, 1861; Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- watch short video: "Mario Cuomo on Lincoln"
- Additional readings:
- Graham T. Allison, Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, All the President's Men.
- Clement Fatovic. 2004. "Constitutionalism and Presidential Prerogative: Jeffersonian and Hamiltonian Perspectives." American Journal of Political Science, 48(3): 429-444.
- Pious, Richard M. 2001. "The Cuban Missile Crisis and the Limits of Crisis Management." Political Science Quarterly, 116 (1): 81-106.
- Week 13, April 17
- The Presidency, Media, and the Public
- reading: Kernell, all.
- watch video: State of the Union Address, 2007.
- We will also discuss progress on research papers during this session, so come prepared to give the class an update.
- Additional readings:
- Jeffrey K. Tulis, The Rhetorical Presidency.
- Stephen J. Farnsworth and S. Robert Lichter, The Mediated Presidency.
- Stephen J. Farnsworth and S. Robert Lichter, The Nightly News Nightmare.
- Colleen J. Shogan, The Moral Rhetoric of American Presidents.
- Brandice Canes-Wrone, Who Leads Whom?
- Byron W. Daynes and Glen Sussman, The American Presidency and the Social Agenda.
- Canes-Wrone, Brandice, and Kenneth W. Shotts. 2004. "The Conditional Nature of Presidential Responsiveness to Public Opinion." American Journal of Political Science, 48(4): 690-706.
- Canes-Wrone, Brandice, Michael C. Herron, and Kenneth W. Shotts. 2001. "Leadership and Pandering: A Theory of Executive Policymaking." American Journal of Political Science, 45(3): 532-550.
- Week 14, April 24
- Race, Gender and the Presidency
- reading: various polling data to be distributed in class.
- Additional readings:
- Robert P. Watson and Ann Gordon, Anticipating Madam President.
- Vanessa B. Beasley, Who Belongs in America?
- Mary E. Stuckey, Defining Americans.
- Gil Troy, Mr. and Mrs. President.
- Lois Beachy Underhill, The Woman Who Ran for President.
- Sue Thomas and Clyde Wilcox, Women and Elective Office.
- Stephen M. Nichols and Staci L. Beavers. 2002. "Revisiting Prospects for an Unconventional Presidency." Politics & Policy, 30(1): 114-139.
- Noelle Norton and Barbara Morris. 2003. "Feminist Organizational Structure in the White House: The Office of Women's Initiatives and Outreach." Political Research Quarterly, 56(4): 477-488.
- Week 15, May 1
- Evaluating the Presidency
- reading: various polling data to be distributed in class.
- discussion of the comprehensive exams.
- Additional readings:
- Fred I. Greenstein, The Reagan Presidency.
- Colin Campbell and Bert A. Rockman, eds., The Clinton Legacy.
- Todd G. Shields and Jeannie M. Whayne, The Clinton Riddle.
- Fred I. Greenstein, The George W. Bush Presidency.
- Gary L. Gregg II and Mark J. Rozell, Considering the Bush Presidency.
o Week 16, May 8
§ Researching the Presidency
§ Your final research paper is due in class on May 8.
§ New Scholarship: this week we will be sharing the results of our semester-long research projects.
Useful Links
- Preparing for Class Discussion--a useful document compiled by Dr. Matthew O. Thomas
- The White House--http://www.whitehouse.gov/
- The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787--http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwfr.html
- Supreme Court Cases from the Legal Information Institute-- http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/index.html
- Speeches and Writings of Abraham Lincoln--http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/speeches.htm
- The Center for the Study of the Presidency--http://www.cspresidency.org/
- Presidential Studies Quarterly--http://www.cspresidency.org/psq/index.htm
- Atlas of Presidential Elections--http://www.uselectionatlas.org/
- Polling Report--http://www.pollingreport.com/
- Zogby International--http://www.zogby.com/