Lehrman American Studies Center

This course is intended as an intensive introduction to the American presidency, with particular attention to historical and constitutional foundations, the history of the presidency, the scope of executive authority in a system based on separation of powers, presidential elections, and contemporary domestic and foreign policy concerns.

Course Requirements

• The final grade for the course will be based, in part, on three (3) exams and a comprehensive final exam. The exams will be a combination of both multiple-choice and essay questions, and will include material in the assigned reading which is not covered in the class lectures.

• Each student will be required to write a 15-20 page research paper critically examining the significance of a particular president.

• The final grade for the course will be calculated as follows:
  • Exam No. 1: 15%
  • Exam No. 2: 15%
  • Exam No. 3: 15%
  • Final Exam: 30%
  • Research paper: 25%

• Grading Scale

A 95-100

AB 88-94

B 81-87

BC 75-80

C 70-74

CD 65-69

D 60-64

F 0-59

Class Participation

A. All assigned reading must be completed in advance, and every student is expected to come to class, with the assigned readings for the class period, fully prepared to be active participants.

B. Although class participation is not formally calculated into the final grade, students who consistently contribute to class discussion in a meaningful way will have their final grade increased one grade level. Student contributions to class discussion should be directly relevant to the lecture and demonstrate that the student completed the assigned readings.

Class Attendance

A. According to University policy, “A student is expected to attend all class sessions. If, for any reason, a student is unable to attend classes during the first week of classes, he or she is responsible for notifying the instructor(s), in writing, of the reason for nonattendance and indicate intentions to complete the course. Failure to attend classes during the first week of the semester may result in an administrative drop by the instructor.”

B. Attendance is absolutely required, and every student is expected to come to class on time. Attendance will be taken on a regular basis at the beginning of every class.

C. Students will be allowed three (3) unexcused absences, but are responsible for getting the assignment by contacting the instructor, or another student in the class. Students who exceed the number of permitted absences will have two (2) points deducted from their final grade for each additional absence. Tardiness will be treated as half-cuts. If the student arrives late for class, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor immediately after class.

D. It is the responsibility of the student, not the instructor, to be attentive to the number of unexcused absences the student has accumulated.

E. If a student seeks an excused absence from class because of illness, written medical documentation must be obtained. Medical documentation must state, with particularity, the exact date of the class period(s) from which the student’s health care provider recommends that the student be excused from class. If a student is absent for three (3) or more class periods, due to illness, or because of a very serious reason, such as the death of a family member, written documentation must be obtained from the Dean of Students.

F. Students should consult the instructor with any questions regarding the class attendance policy.

Exam Policy

A. Makeup exams will not be administered under any circumstances unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor. In cases of illness, or because of a very serious reason, such as the death of a family member, written documentation must be obtained from a physician or the Dean of Students.

B. All exams are graded anonymously. Students who do not take an exam on the regularly scheduled day waive their right to have their exam graded anonymously.

C. Students should consult the instructor with any questions regarding the exam policy.

Academic Integrity

A. Any student who is guilty of academic dishonesty, which includes plagiarism, will receive a grade of F for the course, and the incident may be reported to the Office of the Provost, for appropriate action.

B. Students should consult the instructor with any questions regarding academic dishonesty.

Required Texts

1. McDonald, Forrest. The American Presidency: An Intellectual History. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1994.
2. Milkis, Sidney M. and Michael Nelson. The American Presidency: Origins and Development, 1776-2007. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2008.
3. Nelson, Michael, ed. The Evolving Presidency: Landmark Documents, 1787-2008. 3rd ed. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2008.

• Each class period will begin with a discussion concerning the 2008 presidential election. Students should stay particularly attuned to the policy positions and campaign strategies of Senator McCain and Senator Obama. Students are expected to come to class with an impartial analysis of regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate. The following source is highly recommended: www.realclearpolitics.com.

• Reading Assignments from the required texts may be supplemented, and substituted, at the discretion of the instructor.

Reading Schedule

• Days 1-3
• The Constitutional Convention
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 1-25.
• Creating the Presidency
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 26-67.
  • The Constitution (1787).
  • Letters of Cato, Nos. 4 and 5 (1787).
  • The Federalist Papers, Nos. 69-73 (1788).

• Days 4-5
• Implementing the Constitutional Presidency: George Washington and John Adams
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 68-96.
  • McDonald, The American Presidency, 209-244.
  • James Madison’s Defense of the President’s Removal Power (1798).
  • The Pacificus-Helvidius Letters (1793).

• Day 6: Exam 1

• Days 7-8
• The Triumph of Jeffersonianism
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 97-120.
  • McDonald, The American Presidency, 245-274.
  • Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address (1801).
  • The Monroe Doctrine (1823).

• Days 9-10
• The Age of Jackson
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 121-150.
  • Andrew Jackson’s First Message to Congress (1829).
  • Andrew Jackson’s Veto of the Bank Bill (1832).

• Days 11-12
• The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 151-172.
  • Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to Albert G. Hodges (1864).
  • The Gettysburg Address (1963).
  • Ex Parte Milligan (1866).

• Day 13
• The Reaction against Presidential Power: Andrew Johnson to William

McKinley

• • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 173-207.
  • Articles of Impeachment against Andrew Johnson (1868).

• Day 14
• Progressive Politics and Executive Power: The Presidencies of Theodore

Roosevelt and William Howard Taft

• • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 208-236.

• Day 15: Exam 2

• Day 16
• Woodrow Wilson and the Defense of Popular Leadership
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 237-257.
  • Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points (1918).

• Day 17
• The Triumph of Conservative Republicanism
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 258-279.

• Day 18
• 2008 Presidential Election

• Days 19-20
• The Consolidation of the Modern Presidency: Franklin D. Roosevelt to Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 280-322.
  • Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935).
  • United States v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp. (1936).
  • Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952).
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Court-Packing” Address (1937).

• Days 21-22
• Personalizing the Presidency: John F. Kennedy to Jimmy Carter
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 323-365.
  • Lyndon B. Johnson’s Gulf of Tonkin Message (1964).
  • The War Powers Resolution (1973).
  • Proposed Articles of Impeachment against Richard Nixon (1974).
  • United States v. Nixon (1974).
  • Gerald R. Ford’s Pardon of Richard Nixon (1974).

• Day 23: Exam 3

• Days 24-25
• Film Presentation: Watergate
  • Episode No. 3: Scapegoat
  • Episode No. 4: Massacre
  • Episode No. 5: Impeachment

• Day 26
• A Restoration of Presidential Power? Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 366-397.
  • Ronald Reagan’s First Inaugural Address (1981).
  • Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha (1983).

• Day 27
• Bill Clinton and the Modern Presidency
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 398-422.
  • Clinton v. City of New York (1998).
  • Articles of Impeachment against Bill Clinton (1998).

• Days 28-29
• George W. Bush and Beyond
  • Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, 423-450.
  • The Bush Doctrine (2002).
  • Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2006).

• Final Exam