Course Description
Examination of the contemporary American presidency. Attention given to the multiple roles of the president, to the rise of the presidency in American government and politics, and to the implications of a powerful presidency for democratic government.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
Critique the president’s role in contemporary American government.
Discuss the various methods political scientists use to study the presidency.
Critically analyze a variety of texts that deal with the president as an individual and the presidency as an institution.
Construct and communicate clear, concise arguments regarding the president and the presidency.
Lead and coordinate a task force of peers in analyzing presidential policy challenges and developing evidence-based recommendations for executive decision making.
Course Grading Information:
Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
Attendance & Participation | 5% |
Reading Quizzes | 10% |
Debate Leadership | 10% |
Midterm | 20% |
Presidential Advising Simulation & Paper | 35% |
Final Exam | 20% |
Attendance/Participation:
Attendance & Participation are worth 5% of the final grade.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
Edwards, George C. III, Kenneth R. Mayer, and Stephen J. Wayne. 2026. Presidential Leadership: Politics and Policy Making, Fourteenth Edition. New York: Bloomsbury Academic.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.