The American Presidency Professor Julia Azari Political Science 130, Section 1001 Office: 484 WWPFall 2007, TTh 12:35-1:50 Office phone: 288-8611Email: [email protected] Office Hours: MW2-4, TTh 2:30-3:30 and by appt.Course description: This course will explore the historical development of the office of the presidency, from its development at the American founding to the current state of the office. How has the presidency changed as an institution? How do the constraints of the office, constitutional and extra-constitutional, influence the president’s relationship with Congress, political parties, and the public? What are the ways in which presidents achieve their policy goals, and how have these methods (and their effectiveness) changed over time? The course begins with an inquiry into the question of presidential greatness and measures of effective presidential leadership. What criteria have scholars used to assess presidential performance, and to what end? As we develop this theme, we look to the debates and concerns that informed the creation of the presidency at the time of the American founding, as well as more recent history as presidential leadership changed in response to the demands of the twentieth century. We will then move from the broad theme of leadership to an inquiry into more specific manifestations of leadership, such as presidential relations with Congress, the public, and the political parties. Finally, we will explore the different facets of the modern presidency: as a political institution; a source of policy; and a platform for moral leadership. Course objectives: In addition to developing a more theoretical understanding of the presidency as an American institution, you will develop your writing and critical thinking skills in this course. Political Science 130 is designated as a writing-intensive course, and as such, some class time will be dedicated to discussion and peer revision of outlines and drafts of your research paper. Assignments: Grades will be determined based on a midterm exam (take-home), a final exam (in-class), a 10-12 page research paper, and class attendance and participation. Research paper: The research paper should apply the theoretical concepts explored in the course to an actual case, or, if you wish, several cases. You should cite at least ten scholarly sources, five of which must be material not included on the course syllabus. Outlines, which will be reviewed by your peers, and paper drafts will be due in advance of the final deadline. Prior to October 11, you must come see me during office hours to discuss your paper topic. On October 11, a one-page description of your paper topic and research plan will be due. Grades will be determined according to the following formulation: Participation and attendance: 15% Midterm exam: 25%Final exam: 30%Research paper: 30% (description, outline, and rough draft of your paper will all be factored into the final paper grade)1Expectations: Attendance and participation are required. In order to participate fully in class, it is necessary to keep up with the reading assigned for reach class meeting. I expect everyone to attend class, to show up on time, and to be prepared to discuss the assigned reading. Academic dishonesty (i.e. cheating and plagiarism) is a violation of university policy and as such will not be tolerated. In written assignments, attribution of ideas that are not your own is of crucial importance. When in doubt, CITE! Week 1: Presidential “Greatness”: Measuring and QuestioningSept. 4: Schlesinger, Arthur. 1997. “Rating the Presidents: Washington to Clinton,” Political Science Quarterly. (available on D2L) Bose, Meena. “Presidential Ratings: Lessons and Liabilities” (available on D2L)Kristol, William. “Why Bush Will Be a Winner,” Washington Post, July 15, 2007. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/13/AR2007071301709.htmlWilentz, Sean. “Worst President in History?” Rolling Stone, April 21, 2006. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/profile/story/9961300/the_worst_president_in_historySept 6: Genovese, Memo to A New President, Ch 1, 6, 7, and 14 (D2L)Fine and Waterman, “A New Model of Presidential Leadership” (D2L)Week 2: Designing the Presidency Sept 11: Cronin, Inventing the American Presidency (D2L)Federalist #69, #70, #71, #72 http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/United States Constitution http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.overview.htmlSept 13: Caeser, James W. Presidential Selection: Theory and Development, Introduction, Chapters 1-2 (D2L)Week 3: Understanding Presidential leadership, theory 2September 18: Neustadt, Presidential Power, Chapters 1-5September 20: Skowronek, The Politics Presidents Make, 1-58Week 4: Understanding Presidential leadership, practice September 25: Greenstein, “Ronald Reagan: Another Hidden Hand Ike?” PS (D2L) September 27: Moe and Howell, “Unilateral Action and Presidential Power: A Theory,” Presidential Studies Quarterly. December 1999. (D2L)Week 5: The President and Congress October 2: Jones, Charles O. The Presidency in a Separated System, Chapter 1Fleisher and Bond, 1994. “The President in a More Partisan Legislative Arena,” Political Research Quarterly. 49:4 (D2L)October 4: Edwards, At the Margins, Chapters 1 and 5 Rudalevige, Managing the President’s Program, Chapters 1 and 6 (D2L)Week 6: Presidential Elections and Governance October 9: Jones, Chapter 5 Conley, Chapter 1 October 11: Dahl, “The Myth of the Presidential Mandate” Ellis and Kirk, “Presidential Mandates in the Nineteenth Century” Paper descriptions due Midterm Exam handed out Week 7: The President and the Public, part one October 16: Kernell, Going Public, 1-48, 104-134Edwards, On Deaf Ears, Chapter 4 and 5 October 18: No class – fall break  Week 8: The President and the Public, part two 3October 23: Midterm Due Canes-Wrone, Who Leads Whom?, 15-49, 131-156October 25: Gronke and Newman, “FDR to Clinton, Mueller to ?: A Field Essay on Presidential Approval,” Political Research Quarterly. Jones, Chapter 4Week 9: The President and the Parties October 30: Donald, Lincoln Reconsidered, Chapter Four (D2L)Ketcham, Presidents Above Party, Chapter One (D2L)November 1: Galvin, “How to Grow a Democratic Majority,” New York Times, June 3, 2006. (link on D2L)Milkis “The New Deal, Administrative Reform, and the