Course Description:
This course is the second 3 hours for American government. My specialty area is American Presidency. The American Presidency can be taught in a number of ways. This semester, I have selected to teach the class through a historical approach. The presidency has changed in many dramatic and significant ways since its inception. If Barack Obama (with all his presidential powers) were to suddenly be dropped into 1789, the citizens of the day would be shocked at the amount of presidential power he wields. However, as citizens of the 21st century, most do not consider the size and scope of the presidency to be unreasonable. In fact, though some people think he has too much power, many others would be willing to grant him greater authority.
In short, the office of the presidency acted and reacted to changes in politics and society. This course will start with George Washington and end with Barack Obama. While I will likely touch on every administration, we can break them into specific eras for study. Changes in the presidency result from tumultuous events (e.g., Garfield’s assassination helped spur the creation of the civil service system in federal government) which lead to governmental growth. This is not a history course where we will learn in detail about every administration. However, we can use history to better understand why certain eras of presidency are forgettable and others unforgettable. I do not expect you to be well versed on American history (if you are getting worried) because we are looking at how the presidency drives history. The core point of most topics in this class will revolve around: How was the presidency changed? How did the presidency change society? How did the presidency increase or decrease in power?
Required Readings:
The American Presidency: Origins and Development 1776-2011, Sidney M. Milkis and Michael Nelson, 6th edition, CQ Press. (core text) ISBN 978-1-60871-281-6
I also reserve the right to assign additional readings from time to time if I feel they are needed. Any additional readings will be added Blackboard and also announced in class.
Grades:
Grades will based on the following:
Test 1 25% Test 2 30% Test 3 (final exam) 35% Paper Assignments 10%
I also reserve the right to make any changes to the grading system I see fit during the semester. This may include, but is not limited to additional paper assignments (if I determine they are needed), or moving the test dates to accommodate unforeseen circumstances (think hurricanes and natural disasters, not doctor’s appointments). I am not requiring attendance this semester, but I reserve the right to start using it if attendance gets extremely low. If I choose to use it, I will announce it in class and post on Blackboard.
Grade Scale:
This semester, the University will begin to utilize a plus/minus system. Here is the scale I will use for the class for grades. Because of the plus/minus system, grades are NOT rounded up or down You earn your grade based on performance.
A: 93-100
A-: 90-92.99
B+: 87-89.99
B: 83-86.99
B-: 80-82.99
C+: 77-79.99
C: 73-76.99
C-: 70-72.99
D+: 67-69.99
D: 63-66.99
D-: 60-62.99
F: Less than 60
Paper Assignments
You will have 2 paper assignments. Both are required. They will be on forms that will posted on blackboard prior to the due date. You will be required to turn in a paper copy of the assignment.
Because of the class size, emailed copies of assignments sent to the professor or the TAs are NOT accepted this semester. Contact the professor if you have an emergency (think hospitalization or jail).
Papers are always accepted early if you choose to turn it in. Late papers will be penalized. For every day a paper is late (including weekends), it will be penalized 5% of the total grade a day until 50%. Additional late penalties will not be assessed after 50% though you may be graded lower than 50% for quality
All paper grades can only be questioned or challenged for 2 weeks after the date it is first returned back to the class. If the last assignment is returned with less than 2 weeks of the semester left, then the last day of class is the last day to challenge a paper grade. Only the professor (not the TAs) has the authority to change a paper grade (unless it is a minor or obvious calculation error). If the grade is not questioned or challenged in this time frame, it stands as recorded. This is designed to encourage students to retrieve their papers and also to not question grades in December that were handed back in September because they decide they do not like their final class grade.
.Exams
Three tests will be given. They will be multiple choice. They will cover material presented in lectures and in the readings from the text, as well as any other material assigned/presented in class (including videos if I show any). The final exam is NOT cumulative and will only cover material presented since the previous exam. However, most of concepts in this course build upon each other so you will be expected to retain information from earlier portions of the class.
Each exam will be machine graded if multiple choice is used. I will supply the answer sheets for all tests. Students are required to bring a number 2 pencil and picture identification.
The test days are fixed and announced the first day of class. They will not be changed or negotiated. If these test days do not fit your personal schedule, do NOT enroll in this course. There are too many students in this course to work with you to make these dates fit vacations, trips, or other such matters. While I will abide by university approved absences and work with students, make up exams may be different than the exam given in class.
I do not return tests in this class though I return Assignments 1, 2. You are always welcome to come in any time during the semester to look at your tests (Yes, you can still look at test 1 after the 3rd exam if you wish). The professor will keep the copies of your tests in her office. The teaching assistants will have test information as well. They can go over your scores and what you miss from the testing output we receive from the scantrons. If you plan to attend the teaching assistant’s office hours and want to look at your physical test, email the professor and she will place the test in his mailbox. Please try to let the professor know at least a day ahead of time. The teaching assistants have a limited amount of space and I have a large filing cabinet in my office to store the tests. The mailboxes are close to my office so it is relatively simple to drop it off.
Paper Assignments
- These papers assignment days are noted on the calendar at the back of this syllabus. They will be posted to blackboard at least a week prior to their due day.
- You will be expected to fill out the form in its entirety. Incorrect information is always wrong.
- These forms introduce you to aspects of the American presidency. They are in this format this semester to facilitate grading. The course is quite large and the information collected on the forms would mirror what would be expected if you were to research and write a short paper for the course.
Papers will be graded on a 5 point scale (yes I will give quarter and half points). 1 will be the lowest and 5 will be full points.