The American Presidency (320-0-20)

Instructors

Daniel J Galvin
847 491 2641
601 University Place, 103 Scott Hall
Office Hours: http://www.polisci.northwestern.edu/people/core-faculty/daniel-galvin.html

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall G15: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

This course examines the structural foundations and historical development of the American presidency and explores, in depth, prominent scholarly theories of presidential power and leadership in the political science literature. We will discuss current events, but the course is not designed around contemporary politics: it aims to provide students with analytical tools and scholarly frameworks that can be used to better understand and evaluate past, present, and future developments in presidential politics.

Registration Requirements

Attendance at first class required; Auditing not permitted

Recommended: POLI_SCI 220 or equivalent

Learning Objectives

Students will develop an understanding of how institutional arrangements powerfully shape presidential behavior; they will learn key facts about the development of the presidency and its relationship to the broader political system, including Congress and the political parties; and they will gain a firm grasp of major scholarly theories of presidential power and leadership in the political science literature.

Teaching Method

Lectures and discussion sections

Evaluation Method

midterm, project, final

Class Materials (Required)

Stephen Skowronek, Presidential Leadership in Political Time: Reprise and Reappraisal, University Press of Kansas, 2020, 3rd ed. (ISBN 978-0700629435);

Richard Neustadt, Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents: The Politics of Leadership from Roosevelt to Reagan, Free Press 1991 (ISBN: 978-0029227961)

Class Attributes

Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - Annenberg Hall G31: Wed 4:00PM - 4:50PM

DIS - Annenberg Hall G29: Wed 5:00PM - 5:50PM

DIS - 555 Clark 230: Thurs 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - Annenberg Hall G01: Thurs 3:00PM - 3:50PM