POL 313: The Presidency                                   Dr. Ahern            

             This is a course designed to explore the structures, functions, and behaviors associated with the executive branch of government in the American political system. Particular emphasis is placed on the impact which those structures, functions and behaviors have upon the public policy process in the United States.                                                                                                                                                  The American presidency is probably the most observed and discussed institution in the world. It is certainly the focal point of American politics for the American people. As a focal point, immense powers and great expectations are often ascribed to both the position and the individuals who have occupied the office. What are the powers which presidents possess? From what sources do they derive these powers? What expectations do people have? What is the relationship between the powers which presidents have and the expectations which people have?                                                                                   Our faith and trust in presidents and presidential power has fluctuated dramatically over the last four decades. Two quotes from Senator William Fullbright only nine years apart demonstrate the rapidity with which perceptions and acceptance of a president's power can change: "...the price of democratic survival in a world of aggressive totalitarianism is to give up some of these democratic luxuries of the past...through the conferral of greatly increased authority on the President" (1961); and "(the American political system) has moved far along the road to an executive despotism" (1970). Changes can also be examined by the perceived successes and failures of presidents such as Carter, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton and Bush II. Our key interest is thus the notion of “presidential power”.           During the semester, we will explore "the presidential power paradigm", a systems-based analysis of the factors which expand and contract presidential power. We will explore:  1) the historical and constitutional roots of presidential power; 2) the nature of the presidential selection process and its effect upon presidential power: 3) the role which personality plays in understanding the actions of presidents and the outcomes of their presidencies; and the role of such actors as Congress, the courts, the bureaucracy and the press in expanding or contracting presidential power. We will also explore executive politics from the comparative perspective since it is impossible to critique the US approach without understanding how other systems are structured and thus order power in their societies.                         The course is set up to emphasize learning as a community endeavor which fosters critical reflection. This course is not merely a series of lectures and your responsibilities are far greater than the regurgitation of information or the explication of opinion based on readings, etc. on examinations. Distinct "learning communities" within the course will be created so that students will work cooper-atively on projects, presentations, etc. to help all involved in the class explore the nature of the contemporary American presidency. You will be "forced" to work together to explore various topics. If you think learning is a solitary experience (which it can be, of course), this is not the course for you! In this class, you will have to work together, very often outside of class.

Texts:

 

Michael Nelson,  The Presidency and the Political System

 

Richard Ellis and Michael Nelson,    Debating the Presidency

 

Grading:

2 in-class examinations (20% each) 

40%

Quizzes, group projects/ article analysis and presentations

30%

a final examination

30%

 

The in-class and final examinations are comprehensive examinations of all materials covered up to that point in the semester and are part objective (true-false/ multiple-choice) and part essay exams. There will be periodic announced quizzes on readings.  (See note in next section).  The projects include participation in class debates and round-table discussions of on-line articles.

Student Obligations

This is a class which demands a high degree of individual motivation and participation.  While I do a fair amount of lecturing, the basic objective of this class is for you to become an active student learner.  Some of your obligations involve:  1) a commitment to reading the course materials (both text and course web material) on time; 2) coming to class prepared to discuss; and 3) being committed to the group projects.  (Note:  if I believe that students are not living up to their obligations I reserve the right to give surprise quizzes on all forms of material related to the class. The grades for these will be incorporated into exam grades).

Office Hours

Office:  St. Joseph 215.  Telephone number is X94326.  Office hours for this class are: MW 2-4 and by appointment. Call (X94326) or contact me through the e-mail links on the departmental and course homepages or via:   david.ahern@notes.udayton.edu

Topical Outline of the Course

Introduction to the Course and Basic Concepts (Weeks 1-5) 

 

The 5 "Great Concepts",     The Power Paradigm

Our Fascination with Presidents,  The Presidency and Political Socialization 

The Textbook Presidency,       Approaches to the Study of the Presidency

Presidential Power Reconsidered

 

Exam #1

The Popular Connection: An Introduction (Weeks 6-10)

 

Nominations and Campaigns,   The Psychological Presidency

The President and the Media

The President, the Parties, and Interest Groups

 

Exam #2

The Institutional Connection:  Introduction (Weeks 11-15)

 

 The President and Congress, The President and the Bureaucracy,

The President and the Judiciary,  The President and Public Policy 

 

Final Exam

 

Course webpage:  http://homepages.udayton.edu/~aherndaw/index313.htm