american presidency syllabus, jackson state

7/30/2019 American Presidency Syllabus, Jackson State

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PS 351-01. Fall 2013. The American Presidency

Dr. Ray Mikell, 2:30 pm-3:50 pm, T-Th

LIB 257, Jackson State University

at: raymikell.com/jsu (after 9/1) &JSU Blackboard (after 8/27)

Texts:

Pika, J.A. and Maltese, J.A.

The Politics of the Presidency (8th Edition)

Sage/CQ, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-60871-797-2

with selections from:

Jacobs, L.R. and Skocpol, T.

Health Care Reform and American Politics: What Every American Needs to Know

Introduction:

In 2008, candidate Barack Obama ran as a politician who could bring a polarized nation together

(much like his predecessor, George W. Bush, had). He ran on a platform of change and took

office during an economic crisis. Expectations were sky high.

After his historic inauguration, Obama won several legislative victories, including passage of

landmark health care reform. Even so, his change was not as sweeping as many of supporters

expected, and partisan polarization by no means disappeared. Re-elected, Obama entered asecond term facing another likely fiscal showdown with GOP legislative leaders.

What was going on here? How did the nation and the American Presidency get to this point?

As we shall see, a mismatch between public expectations and the complexities of executive

governance has existed for decades now. To examine this, we will look not so much as Obama as

the office as an institution, and the modern presidency, as it developed over the 20th Century.

The president is now seen by the public as the central figure in American political life, a fact

reflected in an exhausting, complex election process. This is true despite the fact that the

Constitution greatly restricts the executive's movement. On the other hand, the president's

control of the executive branch and administrative reforms have allowed recent presidents to

expand their reach. Presidential control of foreign policy, always strong, has only increased.

On the whole, the presidency remains a peculiar institution, with a consideration of the lengthy

election process being only the beginning of a look into the how and why of its peculiarity.
http://raymikell.com/jsuhttp://www.jsums.edu/ait/blackboard/http://www.jsums.edu/ait/blackboard/http://raymikell.com/jsuhttp://raymikell.com/jsu


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Learning Objectives

These include, but are not limited to the following. By the time this course ends, you should have

a thorough understanding of:

How our presidents go about being elected--or, more accurately, selected--via one of the

most complicated and exhausting processes imaginable (We'll start with this!)

Why and how the modern presidency differs from the executive as envisioned by the U.S.

Constitution's framers, and how this modern institution developed over the 20th Century

How the institutional structure of the office evolved over the 20th Century, especially after

the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and how administrative reforms have

increased presidential power in domestic policy over time.

How the mass media has shaped the modern presidency, and how presidents can use

public politics as a means of exercising power, as well as be constrained by it.

Why and how the executive has almost overwhelming power in foreign policy, and howand why this power has been strengthened and evolved in recent times.

Readings, Lecture Schedule

Tuesday, August 27

Introdution

Thursday, August 29Viewing of The War Room documentary (1993)

Sept. 3, 5

Chs 11 & 2, Pika & Maltese. (Barack Obama: Challenges and Performance, Election Politics)

Sept. 10

Viewing of ads from The Living Room Candidate

Sept. 12, 17

Ch. 2, Pika & Maltese, Election Politics. Outside readings

Sept. 19-24

Ch. 3, Pika & Maltese, Public Politics

Sept. 26-Oct. 1

Ch. 4, Pika & Maltese. Presidential Character and Performance


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Oct. 3

Exam 1 Prep

Oct. 8

Exam 1

Oct. 10, 15

Ch. 5, Pika & Maltese. Legislative Politics.

Oct. 17, 22

Ch 6, Pika & Maltese. Executive Politics,

Oct. 22, 24

Ch. 7, Pika & Maltese. Judicial Politics. Exam 2 Discussed

Oct. 31

Exam 2

Nov. 5, 7

Ch. 8, The Politics of Domestic Policy

Nov. 12, 14

Jacobs & Skocpol discussion, Health care focus

Nov. 19, 21

Ch. 9, Pika & Maltese. The Politics of Economic Policy.

Dec.3-5

Ch. 10, Pika & Maltese. The Politics of National Security Policy, Final Exam Review

Final Exam (take-home, essays) and Final Project Due

Due: Dec. 7, 2013


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Course Policies

Grading

Participation and Attendance: 10 percent

Three Exams (Short Answer/Essay): 20 percent each

Quizzes/Essays: 20 Percent

Final project:10 percent

Make-Up Policy

Exams will only be given or handed out on particular dates, and it is up to you to know what

those particular dates are. Exams will be handed out at other times, in make-up fashion, only

under the most extreme circumstances.

Academic Integrity

Students must demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in academic work.

Understanding and avoiding plagiarism is particularly important in a class where writing, on

essays and a final paper, will be so important. Please note that students will be given a zero on

assignments in which plagiarism is identified. You can read more about the ins and outs of this

problem, and how it is defined and can be identified, at plagiarism.org.

Link:

http://tinyurl.com/n5n4vuk

AssistanceI will be happy to meet with you after hours, although my time at JSU will be normally limited to

course times. It would be best to catch me before or after class if you must talk to me face-to-face.

Feel free to write me via e-mail at any time. I will be busy, so you should not expect an immediate

response, but I will get back to you within 48 hours, typically.

Controversial Material

Please note that you can expect to hear about many controversial matters in this class, the

discussion of which may make you uncomfortable. This cannot be avoided in discussions of

American politics and policy. The subject matter should not be taken to reflect the opinions or

priorities of the instructor or anyone at Jackson State University. Subjects chosen for discussion

are ones carefully selectedor covered in your textto reflect ongoing debates in American

government and politics, including major policy debates.
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Talking, Mobile Devices

Talking in class will not normally be tolerated, although it will be encouraged during organized

discussions. Please remember to at least silence your mobile device notification or ringing before

classes begin. You may certainly bring your mobile devices into class. However, surfing the

Internet at length will not be allowed.

Disabilities policy

It is University policy to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable

accommodations to students who have disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in

course activities or to meet course requirements.Students with disabilities are encouraged to

contact their instructors and/or JSU Disability Services to discuss their individual needs for

accommodations.

Link:

http://tinyurl.com/lqu7lgf
http://www.jsums.edu/disability/2013/04/18/disabilities-services/http://tinyurl.com/lqu7lgfhttp://tinyurl.com/lqu7lgfhttp://tinyurl.com/lqu7lgfhttp://tinyurl.com/lqu7lgfhttp://tinyurl.com/lqu7lgfhttp://www.jsums.edu/disability/2013/04/18/disabilities-services/

american presidency syllabus, jackson state

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