Presidency Syllabus 2008
10:20-11:35 Tues/Thurs., Breland Hall 179
Dr. Baker's office: Breland 345; email: nbaker@nmsu.edu; phone 646-4935. Office hours:
Wednesday 10:30-11:30, Thursday 2- 3, and by appointment.
Graduate Assistant Alison Folsom; Regents Row room 420; email: afolsom@nmsu.edu. Office hours: Monday 3- 4 p.m. and Thursday, 9-10, and by appointment.
COURSE MATERIALS
Pika & Maltese, The Politics of the Presidency, 7th edition (CQ Press: 2008)
Selected articles and news stories posted on Web CT
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of this course is to provide a comprehensive overview of the American presidency, including the evolution of the office; presidential powers; relations with Congress, the courts, the mass media and interest groups; public opinion; electoral politics; White House decision-making; and the president's impact in domestic and foreign affairs. This course will examine both individual presidents and the presidency as an institution. In addition to building a substantive knowledge base on the presidency and U.S. politics, this course will seek to enhance students' critical thinking, research skills and writing ability.
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE
August 21 Introduction to Course
Readings: Syllabus
Note: if you miss this class, you have the responsibility to read the syllabus & policies. Please contact Dr. Baker if you have any questions or concerns.
August 26 Approaches to studying the office
Discussion about the research paper
Readings: How to write a research paper, on Web CT
August 28 Historical Foundation of the Office
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 1, pp. 1-12
U.S. Constitution; Alexander Hamilton, Federalist #70 (Web CT)
Sept. 2 The Evolution and Expansion of the Office
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 1, pp. 12- 31
Due in class: Topic for term paper selected
Sept. 4 Road to the White House: The Primaries
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 2, pp. 37 - 61
Sept. 9 Road to the White House: The General Election
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 2, pp. 61 - 92
Sept. 11 Road to the White House: The General Election, continued
Readings: Readings posted on Web CT
Sept. 16 The Public Presidency and Popular Support
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 3, pp. 93 - 120
Sept. 18 Reporting on the President: The News Media
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 3, pp. 120 - 145
New stories on Web CT
Due in class: Prospectus of research paper with preliminary bibliography
Sept. 23 Personality, Psychology & Performance
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 4
Sept. 25 The President and Congress
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 5, pp. 200 - 222
New stories on Web CT
Sept. 30 The President and Congress, continued
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 5, pp. 222-239
Oct. 2 MIDTERM (bring blue book & pen)
Oct. 7 The White House & Executive Branch
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 6, pp. 246 - 270
Oct. 9 Managing the Bureaucracy
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 6, pp. 270 - 289
Oct. 14 Relations with the Judiciary
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 7
Oct. 16 Law and the Executive Branch
Readings: Posted on Web CT
Due in class: Annotated bibliography for research paper
Oct.21 Case Study in Domestic Politics & Law
Readings: Posted on Web CT
Oct. 23 Domestic Policy-Making
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 8
Oct. 28 Domestic Policy-Making, continued
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 8
Oct. 30 Economic & Budgetary Politics
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 9
Nov. 4 National Security Policy-Making
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 10
Nov. 6 National Security Policy-Making, continued
Readings: Articles posted on Web CT
Election Day- be sure to vote
Nov. 11 Case Studies in Foreign Policy-Making: Cuban Missile Crisis
Readings: Articles posted on Web CT
Nov. 13 Case Studies in Foreign Policy-Making: Vietnam
Readings: Articles posted on Web CT
Nov. 18 Wartime Presidencies & George W. Bush
Readings: Pika & Maltese, chapter 11
Nov. 20 White House Foreign Policy in Film
Due in class RESEARCH PAPER
Nov. 24 -28 HOLIDAY
Dec. 2 Presidential Legacies
Readings: Review for final examination
Dec. 4 FINAL EXAMINATION, Part 1 (Bring blue book)
Thursday, Dec. 11 10:30 - 12:30 FINAL EXAMINATION, Part 2 (Bring blue book)
COURSE GRADING
% of grade Your points*
Midterm examination 20
Final examination 30
Research Paper
Prospectus 5
Annotated bibliography 10
Final draft 25
Attendance & informed participation 10
_______________________________________________________________
TOTAL 100
• To calculate your points on each exam or assignment, multiply the % of grade by the points that you received and then strike the percentage key on your calculator. For example, if you received an 85 (B) on the midterm, multiply 20 by 85%, to determine how many points toward the course total of 100 you received. See me or Alison for assistance if necessary.
• The research paper must be 18-20 pages (not counting the bibliography), typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins. Citations and a bibliography must be included. Guidance on the prospectus, annotated bibliography and paper itself will be posted on Web CT. I am available to meet throughout the semester to help with your paper.
• "A" range is 90 - 100; "B" range is 80-89.5; "C" range is 70 - 79.5; "D" range is 60 - 69.5. Grades at or below 59.5 are an "F". I use plus and minus signs. Also please note that, under College Policy, a grade of C- or better is required to receive an S under the S/U option.
• Attendance/participation points. Note that a student may lose an entire grade through poor attendance and participation, regardless of exam scores. Participation points will be assigned on the basis of thoughtful and relevant questions or comments; simply talking a lot does not constitute "informed participation." Strong participation is defined as speaking at least once each class period. Fair is defined as speaking at least once per week. Attendance is a pre-condition to strong participation.
• Absences generally are excused only for illness, death in the family, university service, National Guard duty, or jury service. Documentation will be required (e.g., a note from the campus clinic or your physician, with the date of illness); please bring it to class either before you miss or soon after you return. If you have a question about what constitutes an excused absence, please see me.