Course Summary
This course will examine the strategies and institutional mechanisms that American presidents have utilized throughout history to lead the nation. The formal structure of presidential leadership (namely, the Constitution) will always be kept in mind, but this course seeks to explore less codified leadership resources.  The class begins with an examination of the historical development of the American presidency and then moves into an examination of modern executive power.  How have presidents attempted to persuade the American citizenry through rhetoric?  Have modern presidents been successful policy innovators and legislative leaders?  What is the relationship of the president with the bureaucracy and the judiciary?  Is presidential leadership possible in the 21st century?

Requirements
There will be a midterm on Tuesday June 7 (30%) and an in-class final (30%) on Thursday, June 23.  The last day of class is Tuesday, June 21.  Additionally, there will be one 5 page essay (30%) that will be due on Thursday June 16.  Topics will be provided for the paper, and additional research is not necessary, although always encouraged. Class participation and attendance count for 10% of the final grade.  You must participate and attend class.  I will keep track of attendance and participation and will assign you a grade at the end of the course.  You must also read all assignments.  Questions on the exam will come from the readings, and they may or may not be discussed in class.  You need the specified editions of these books; earlier editions will not suffice.
 

The following required books have been ordered at the GMU bookstore:

-Sidney Milkis and Michael Nelson. The American Presidency: Origins and
 Development, 4th edition

-Michael Nelson, editor. The Presidency and the Political System. 7th edition.

-David Gergen, Eyewitness to Power
 
 

Part One:  A Historical Perspective
 

May 23

Discussion of syllabus, assignments, grading, expectations, and class rules
 

Classes 1-2  (May 24 and 25)
The Crafting of the Institution

-The Constitution of the United States of America, Articles I and II
-Federalist Papers, Number 70 (online)
-Sidney Milkis and Michael Nelson, The American Presidency, Chapters 1 and 2
 

Classes 3-4  (May 26 and 31)
The Early Presidents

-Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, Chapters 3 and 4
 

Classes 5-6  (June 1 and 2)
The Party Era

-David Donald, “A. Lincoln: Politician” (will be emailed to class)
-Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, Chapters 5 and 6
 

Class 7  (June 6)
The Progressive Era

-Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, Chapters 8 and 9
 

Classes 8-9  (June 7 and 8)
The Origins of the “Modern” Presidency

-Midterm in Class (June 7)
-Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, Chapter 11
-Sidney Milkis, Presidency & the Political System, “Presidency and Political Parties”
 

Classes 10-11  (June 8 and 9)
The “Personal Presidency” and Its Shortcomings

-Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, Chapter 12
-Bruce Miroff “The Presidency and the Public: Leadership As Spectacle” in The Presidency and the Political System
-David Gergen, Eyewitness to Power, Chapter 3, “Why Nixon Fell”
 

Class 13 and 14 (June 13 and 14)
Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush (Again!)

-Milkis and Nelson, The American Presidency, Chapters 13-15
-David Gergen, Eyewitness to Power, compare Reagan (pp. 151-209) and Clinton (pp. 251-342)
 

Part Two:  Institutional Mechanisms of the Modern Presidency
 

Class 14  (June 15)
The Presidency and Other Institutions

-Matthew Dickinson “The President and Congress” in The Presidency & The Political System
-David Yalouf “The Presidency and the Judiciary” in The Presidency & The Political System
-Terry Moe, “The Presidency and Bureaucracy: The Presidential Advantage” in The Presidency & The Political System
 

Classes 15 and 16  (June 16 and 20)
Presidential Persuasion

-Essay due in class (June 16)
-Lincoln’s Second Inaugural (online)
-Clinton’s Oklahoma City bombing speech (online)
-Bush’s September 20, 2001 speech before Congress (online)
-Jeffrey K. Tulis “The Two Constitutional Presidencies” in The Presidency & The Political System
-David Gergen, Eyewitness to Power, Chapter 7 “Secrets of the Great Communicator”
 

Class 17 (June 21)
Constraints on Presidential Leadership
 
-Stephen Skowronek, “Leadership in Political Time” in The Presidency & The Political System.
 

June 23  Final in class