King's College Department of History

HISTORY 425
THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY

MR. HOWARD B. FEDRICK
SPRING 2000

OVERVIEW and OBJECTIVES of the COURSE

THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY

It has been described as "dignified slavery" by one of its occupants yet sought with creativity and cunning by many. It has been referred to as the most powerful position in the world yet shunned and avoided by some truly great Americans. A modern day analyst called it "imperial" yet its original creators were most fearful lest it become monarchical. Lord Bryce mused on the subject of why great men are never chosen for it; MacGregor Burns suggests that the exercise of its prerogatives has made men great. It has been the target of myriad criticisms in time of peace yet often the polestar in the midst of crisis, internal and external. It is a branch of government with few articulated powers yet some would say that it is possessed of all power - and, to be sure, some of its occupants have acted thusly. Some have come to it by accident; some have left it by violent means. Some have served for one term by choice; others by popular will. Some have left it at the height of their power and popularity and others at the nadir of their public lives.

In this course we will attempt an analysis of the significant developments in the evolution of the Presidency using a study of the administrations of a select group of American Presidents. Emphasis will be on an examination of the leadership roles each exercised in shaping the character of the office as well as a focus on the primary political, economic, and cultural forces of the respective historical periods. Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln and the major twentieth century Presidents will be the primary subjects of the course; however, they will not be the only subjects of our study.

While the primary character of the course will be historical it will be necessary and desirable to use the tools of the political scientist to achieve our objectives as well. And - to be sure - we will maintain an interest and study of the current Presidential election campaign.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

TEXTBOOK

Michael P. Riccards. The Ferocious Engine of Democracy: A History of the American Presidency (two volumes). Madison Books: New York. 1997

SUPPLEMENTAL READING ASSIGNMENTS

Various readings will be assigned during the semester to complement the text and lecture. These readings will be made available in class. They are to be completed prior to discussion of the material in class lectures.

WRITTEN RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS

Three (3) brief papers will be assigned. Guidelines for each assignment will be distributed as appropriate. Exploration of various research resources including print and electronic resources will be encouraged in the completion of these assignments. Students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in applying the writing and critical thinking developed in CORE 110 and CORE 100. All students will be expected to submit papers in typed or word processed form. Handwritten work will NOT be accepted. Papers not submitted on time will be severely penalized; the highest possible grade will be a "C".

WEB RESEARCH PROJECT ASSIGNMENT

It will be the obligation of each student to participate in the research for and completion of a Presidential History Web Page(s). The details of this assignment will be distributed and explained/discussed during the first week of the semester. While each student will be responsible for and receive credit for his/her individual contributions to this project, we shall work as a "committee of the whole" to accomplish the final product.

TESTS

There will be three (3) written tests given during the semester including the final examination. The first two tests will be announced in class at least ten (10) days in advance. The third (final) examination will be given according to the Registrar's examination schedule. The tests will be based on the lectures and assigned reading materials. The general structure of the tests will be essay. Each test will be non-comprehensive and will review the most recent materials covered.

CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION

Regular participation - asking or responding to questions, volunteering one's own ideas or arguments, sharing evidence - is EXPECTED from each student. Participation will be weighed positively in the overall semester grade evaluation as a growth/development factor.

ATTENDANCE

The student is expected to attend classroom lectures/discussions on a regular basis. The rules of the College regarding class attendance will be followed strictly. Students are responsible for all materials discussed in lectures and classroom discussions. It is to be assumed that it will be impossible to receive a grade which is higher than the percentage of days attended without significant reason for absences.
Absence on the day of a scheduled test will not be excused unless a serious reason has been explained to the instructor (in advance, if possible) and arrangements for a make-up test are made within five (5) class days of the scheduled test. It is the RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT to arrange the make-up with the professor. It should not be presumed that absence on a test day will automatically permit a re-test.

SEMESTER GRADE EVALUATION

The determination of the final semester grade will be based on the successful completion of all requirements for the course using numerical values as follows:
Tests: Test I, II, III - 20% each
Written Assignments - 15% each
Web Research Assignment - 10%
Participation - 5%

The professor's grading scale to be used is as follows:
A+ = 98    A = 95    A- = 92
B+ = 88    B = 85    B- = 82
C+ = 78    C = 75    C- = 72
D+ = 68    D = 65    F = 59

OFFICE CONTACT / OFFICE HOURS

Learning is not achieved only within the confines of a classroom. To that end be advised of the following:


GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE

Howard B. Fedrick

History Department

King's College

Last Updated January 4, 2000