The American Presidency
Samuel Kernell | Political Science 100A |
| Spring, 2002 | skernell@ucsd.edu |
| Office Hours: M 3:00-4:00 (by appt. only) | 534-4988 |
| TuTh after class until 3:30 |
This course will focus upon the emergence and development of the modern presidency. Beginning with the limited role the Constitution’s framers envisioned for this office, we shall examine how presidential authority and leadership have grown during the 20th century. However impressive the modern presidency’s responsibilities may be, they fail to match everyone’s expectations for the president’s performance. The central theme of our examination is "Presidential leadership involves the president’s success as a politician in enlisting the office’s authority."
Students of the presidency typically regard Franklin Roosevelt’s long tenure as the watershed of the office’s institutional development. The distinguishing features certainly fell into place during these years, but the office has continued to evolve so that the responsibilities, strategic considerations and even the daily work routines are far different for recent presidents. In the first "half" of the quarter, we shall concentrate on the structural (eg. legal, Constitutional) character of the office and consider the implications of the president’s limited authority when dealing with Congress. After the midterm exam, we will concentrate on the really modern changes: presidential selection; the growth of public relations in the White House; and staffing and with it efforts to centralize administration.
Course requirements consist of a midterm (25 points), a comprehensive final exam (50 points), and a 5-7 page (typed) paper (25 points). In addition to the required texts listed below, you are expected to read news coverage of presidential politics that will be sent to you via email. Be sure you have your current email account correctly listed on student link, and for those of you using student email account, be sure to maintain space in your mailbox to receive my emails. Nota bena: this will be the only source of course updates.
The tests include both short answer and essay formats; samples from past tests will be posted on the class website. The final exam will be cumulative, although class materials from the second half of the course will be emphasized. Paper topics will be announced on April 11 in class; on that date a guest will visit class to describe ucdc internship opportunities.
TOPICS AND TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
| April 2 - 4 |
The place of the executive in classical political theory and the Constitution. Readings: Machiavelli, The Prince (entire book). This is available at bookstore, online at various sites and best of all, as audio files from various sites. Also read mafia. |
| April 9-18 |
The presidency’s modest Constitutional authority and its implications for leadership.
Readings: Madison, Federalist #10 and #51 (on line) David Donald, "Lincoln, the Politician" (soft reserves) Neustadt, Presidential Power, chs. 1-8, 12 & 13 |
| April 23 | MIDTERM EXAMINATION (25 points) For sample, see midterm |
| April 25- May 2 |
The president and Congress: The party team, budgets and the veto game.
Reading: Cameron chs 1, 3; Edwards-Barrett, Sinclair (soft reserve) |
| May 7-16 |
Presidential leadership: "Going Public"
Reading: Kernell, Going Public |
| May 21-23 |
Presidential leadership: Centralized administration
Reading: Moe- Howell and Fenno (soft reserves) Another article to be announced. |
| May 28-30 |
The president, foreign policy and bureaucracy.
Reading: Allison, "Conceptual Model’s of Cuban Missile Crisis." on line Jstor |
| May 28-30 |
The president, foreign policy and bureaucracy.
Reading: Allison, "Conceptual Model’s of Cuban Missile Crisis." on line Jstor Washington Post’s "10 Days in September" series Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 2 (b) | Day 3 | Day 3 (b) | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 5 (b) | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 |
| June 4 | PAPERS DUE. Papers may be submitted in class or at the front desk of department until closing time. (Papers submitted late but on or before class, at class, on June 6 will be debited a half a letter grade; subsequent late papers will be penalized a full letter grade.) Nota bena: keep a backup copy. |
| June 11 | FINAL EXAM (50 points) 11:30 – 2:30 for sample see final |
