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POL
303 Telephone:
Dr. Knippenberg: (404)-364-8341 Presupposing a basic knowledge of the principal political institutions of American national government, this course will help students acquire a rather sophisticated appreciation of the development of Congress and the Presidency, their contemporary institutional structures, and their interrelationship. To that end, we will read both primary sources and examples of the best contemporary scholarly work on these institutions. The question that will animate our inquiry is to what extent these institutions, designed in the late eighteenth century, and developed and adapted in response to particular historical exigencies, are still suited to govern our domestic and international arenas in the twenty-first century. Is "divided government," such as is only really possible in the U.S., efficient and effective? To what extent can these institutions be altered and modified within the bounds of the Constitution? How are ambiguities and "gray areas" in the Constitution to be resolved? How does the contemporary pluralistic and media-driven political arena affect the operation of Congress and the Presidency? TEXTS: Please purchase the following books: Michael
Nelson, ed., The Evolving Presidency (CQ Press) ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING: Term Test………………………………………………………………10% ACADEMIC POLICIES AND REGULATIONS: In accordance with Oglethorpe's Honor Code, all the work you hand in must be pledged: "I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid in completing this assignment." For the purposes of this course, "unauthorized aid" consists in plagiarism, which (as "The 'O' Boo" states) "includes representing someone else's words, ideas,...or original research as one's own and, in general, failing to footnote or otherwise acknowledge the source of such work." If in completing an assignment you consult secondary sources, be sure to cite them properly. Unless we announce otherwise, you may discuss any assignment with your colleagues, but the work you submit must be your own. You may find the complete text of the Honor Code in "The 'O' Book." Attendance is mandatory. I reserve the right to give the grade "FA" to students who regularly miss class. I penalize late papers two points per weekday, up to a total of ten points, after which I will not accept them. We will not reschedule exams without a medical excuse. I will, however, be pleased to help you manage your academic schedules by granting extensions on papers if you request them one week in advance. If for some reason you have to take an "Incomplete" in this course, you must arrange it with me before the end of the term. We must agree to a contract containing a schedule for the completion of the course requirements. You must then take the initiative in completing the work. You may find the grading scale, as well as the policy governing the S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) option, on pp. 67-68 of the 1998-2000 Oglethorpe University Bulletin. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF READING ASSIGNMENTS: 1/18 Introduction 1/23 First
Principles: The Constitution and the Separation of Powers 1/30, 2/1
Institutional Development in the 18th and 19th Centuries 2/6 - 13
The Growth of the Modern Preesidency 2/15 - 22
The Contemporary Presidency 2/27 - 3/6
Issues in the Contemporary Presidency 3/8 - 15
Congress: Organization and Leadership 3/27 - 4/3
Electing Congress and the President 4/5 - 17
Presidential-Congressional Relations 4/19 - 5/1
The Clinton Legacy and the Bush Future
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