POL 201 American Government

POL 313 The Presidency

Fall 2004

Dr. David W. Ahern

TTh 12:00- 1:15

Course webpage:

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~ahern

Email: david.ahern@notes.udayton.edu

Course Description:

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.

This course has been designed along "Learning Village" lines. For those unfamiliar with this approach, the course is set up to emphasize learning as a community endeavor which fosters critical reflection. This course is not 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 cooperatively 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, very often over the campus network. Students must thus feel comfortable with the internet and with working via Lotus Notes discussion/ documents databases.

Texts:

Cohen, Jeffrey and David Nice. The Presidency

Pfiffner, James P. and Roger H. Davidson Understanding the Presidency (3rd edition)

Grading:

a mid-term examination	35%
group projects/ presentations	30%
a final examination (December 16th, 12:00-1:50)	35%

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.

Office Hours

Office: St. Joseph 215. Telephone number is X94326. Office hours are: TTh 10;30-11:45 and 3:00-4:00. I am also available 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