The U.S. Presidency
POLS 3370
On-line Course
Dr. Joseph Corrado A&S building room 110S
Clayton State University voicemail: 678-466-4803
Spring 2009 JoeCorrado@clayton.edu
Spring office hours: Tuesday and Thursday from 12:45-1:45 p.m. and Wednesday from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Online office hours: Monday & Friday 10
a.m. -12 p.m.
Required Texts:
Pffiner, James P. and Roger H. Davidson. 2008. (5th Edition) Understanding the Presidency.
Longman: New York. ISBN: 10-205-64987-4. .
Greenstein, Fred I. 2004. The Presidential Difference: Leadership Style from FDR to George W. Bush (2nd Edition). NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN: 0-691-11909-0.
Course Description (3 credits): The U.S. Presidency examines the historical development of the presidency, constitutional powers, the personalities, the roles and the relationship with other governmental entities. The course will also have students examine the beginning of the Obama presidency and compare it to other modern presidencies.
Pre-requisite: POLS 1101 with a minimum grade of a D.
Please Plan on attending the following four on-campus meeting dates in B-11.
Course Meeting Dates:
Saturday January 10th (Mandatory Orientation) 1:15-2:15 p.m. At approximately 1:30 p.m. you will go to L200 of the library to learn how to conduct journal research with Katherine Ott. Bring your laptops with you. You will need them in the library.
1st Exam Saturday February 28th 1:15-3:15 p.m.
2nd Exam Saturday March 28 1:15-3:15 p.m.
3rd Exam Saturday May 2 1:15-3:15 p.m.
At the end of the first exam you will be given a random number in which you can use to access your scores via an email sent to the class list-serve. The scores will be in an MS excel document in an attachment. If you want to go through your exam in person email me at joecorrado@clayton.edu to set up an appointment during my office hours. You can also request comments to be sent via personal email to a csu email account.
COURSE REQUIREMENT: Access to communication between the instructor and students will require use of CSU email:
The instructor will only respond to CSU email messages from students . Go to:
http://thehub.clayton.edu and click "Service" for information on configuring your laptop computer to comply with CSU IT requirements. You MUST have your laptop computer configured to access CSU email. You will need to take your laptop computer to
The HUB, located on the ground level of the University Center. You should have your computer configured and set up for CSU email BEFORE classes begin, or as soon as possible there after.
The HUB is located in the University Center, or contact the HUB at 678-466-4357.
Email Policy:
Class listserve: POLS3370-90Spring09@lists.clayton.edu
Use this for questions that the whole class would be concerned with or general discussion questions that you want to virtually discuss with others in the class pertaining to the U.S. Presidency. Email me directly: joecorrado@clayton.edu if you have a personal question or issue.
I greatly prefer email to phone messages.Course Attendance Policy: This class will meet on the CSU campus only 4 times. It is essential that ALL students attend the course on-campus orientation and the three on-campus examinations. Please make an effort to be on time - once an examination begins you will have only the allotted examination time remaining. Examination make up opportunities are not generally available.
In selecting an online course approach to learning the course material, you have decided that an independent study approach to this course will work well for you. This class meets on the CSU campus only four times. In an online course you will be learning outside of a traditional college classroom environment. Therefore, truly extraordinary discipline must be exercised. The instructor is available to advise and assist you, but you study ALL assigned textbook chapters and other course materials in order to succeed. This approach gives you a lot of freedom to study when you choose. However, keep in mind that typically a student must devote approximately 6-8 hours a week to reading assignments in the course textbook, and studying for examinations to earn a C grade or better. Less time devoted to this course may result in an unsuccessful experience and a lower course grade than desired.
Students must abide by policies in the CSU Catalog & Student Handbook.
http://a-s.clayton.edu/BasicUndergraduateStudentResponsibilities.htm
Academic Dishonesty
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at
http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/
University Handbook is now at: http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentaffairs/StudentHandbook/foreword.htm
Disruption of the Learning Environment
Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.
The classroom is a learning space. Avoid all behaviors that disrupt others.
A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at:
Disabilities: For information about Disability Services or to obtain this document in an alternative format, contact the Disabilities Coordinator, Student Center, Room 255 - ADA/ 504 Compliance Officer at. 678-466-5445 or disabilityservices@clayton.edu
Political Science Degree Program Outcomes and Assessments:
Graduating political science majors should
Apply concepts related to the structures and principles of the U.S. Constitution to historical and current politics.
Explain and criticize U.S. political institutions and processes.
Define and distinguish how aspects of the Georgia Constitution and government differ from the U.S. Constitution and government.
Assess and compare how other national political systems and international political organizations differ from the U.S. political system and recognize the importance of political geography.
Research and compose a project report in a subfield of political science.
Successfully complete a political science related internship.
Assessments:
POLS 1101 pre and post assessment surveys & geography tests
POLS 4490/POLS 4491 Internship/Practicum Site Supervisor Evaluation
POLS 4500 Senior Seminar research paper
POLS 4500 Senior Political Science Program Exit Survey
ETS Political Science Field Test taken by graduating seniors
Course Outcomes:
--demonstrate knowledge of Modern presidents (FDR-on) in comparison to the early Obama presidency in a research paper
--demonstrate an understanding of the constitutional origins of the presidency
--demonstrate an understanding of different historical perspectives on the presidency such as the strict constructionist presidency, the stewardship presidency and the public presidency
--exhibit an understanding of the presidential mandate and campaign finance laws
--demonstrate knowledge about how the president deals with the media
--demonstrate an understanding about domestic policy leadership theories and practices such as "the hundred days" of FDR
--demonstrate an understanding of the war powers act and the battle for war powers between Congress and the president
--exhibit an understanding of abuses of presidential power such as Watergate and the Iran Contra scandal
Course Assessments:
Essay Examinations: (450 possible points) Three examinations will be taken on-campus. The dates for these three examinations are provided earlier in the syllabus. The final exam is not cumulative. Each exam is worth 150 points.
I will email you a list of possible exam questions ahead of each exam. On the day of the exam do not bring your computer. You will have two hours (the exams will end promptly at 3:15 p.m. so be on time) to complete all essay questions. You will be given an anonymous number after the first test. Scores will be sent out to the class list-serve. Use your number to access the scores. If you want comments on any assignment email me directly at joecorrado@clayton.edu to either set up an appointment to go through the assignment or to ask for comments to be sent electronically.
Research Paper: (150 points) Assess the early Obama presidency based on non-editorial newspaper articles and journal articles. Your paper should compare the next president to some of modern presidents covered in the Greenstein book. What presidents are similar to the new president, why? Do you predict success (define success and failure) or not. This paper should be 5-7 typed pages long. It should include at least 10 citations in MLA style. At least 5 citations should be journal articles covering historical presidents. At least 5 citations should be newspaper citations covering the Obama presidency. Due Date: place a stapled hard copy in my office door (G110S) by 5 p.m. on Tuesday April 21st
Helpful websites: http://www.nytimes.com, http://www.washingtonpost.com, http://www.realclearpolitics.com
EXTRA CREDIT (15 points)
MAPP (Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress) is a standardized exam administered to a select group of students during their freshman and junior years by the CSU Testing Center. This exam is used to assess the outcomes of the general education requirements at Clayton State University. You may or may not have taken this exam before. ALL students enrolled in POLS 3370 this semester are expected to take this exam. You will earn extra points added to your final score at the end of the semester if you do.
This computerized exam, standard version, will take about 2 hours and will be administered in the Testing Center on several January and February dates and times. Students should register by Friday, January 16, by calling (678) 466-4495 or by stopping by the Testing Center on the first floor of the library building.
To learn more about the MAPP and the dates the exam will be administered, please visit http://adminservices.clayton.edu/testingcenter/MAPP.htm
Course assignment: Go to the CSU library and receive training on how to do journal research and how to cite sources properly in MLA for your paper before March 16th. Students who fail to do so will be penalized 10 points.
Grading:
The Course Grading Scale - 600 Possible Points
A = 600 - 540
B = 539-480
C = 479 - 420
D = 419 - 360
F = 359 points or less
Missed Work/Makeup Exam Policy
Makeup exams are not guaranteed. In general you will be allowed to take exams before their scheduled date if a good reason is given. To take an exam after it is scheduled you need to contact the instructor via email the day before the exam and provide an important and documented reason. If I agree to grant a makeup it will be during an already scheduled exam in one of my other classes.
Late Papers: Papers are considered a day late at 5:01 p.m. on the due date. The penalty for late papers will be 20 points per day.
Regents Testing: The University System of Georgia requires that each student receiving a degree must have successfully demonstrated competence in reading comprehension and writing by passing two courses: Regents Writing Skills RGTE 0199 and Regents’ Reading Skills RGTE 0198. Students satisfy these course requirements through examination. The University System of Georgia Regents Tests are administered each semester by the CSU Testing Center. Testing dates and registration procedures are listed each semester in the Class Schedule on the DUCK. Please contact your academic advisor or the Testing Center for more information.
Grading:
The Course Grading Scale - 600 Possible Points
A = 600 - 540
B = 539-480
C = 479 - 420
D = 419 - 360
F = 359 points or less
Midterm Grades: A course midterm grade will be posted on the DUCK by midterm each semester. The midterm grade will only reflect work completed to the middle of the semester. More than half of the scored work in this course is completed after the midterm date. If you have questions, please contact the instructor.
March 6th is the last day to withdraw and receive a W grade for this course.
Keep Informed: You should incorporate relevant history and current political events into your essay question answers. Read a major daily newspaper, and/or NEWSWEEK, TIME or U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT on a regular basis. Watch a daily national news program or monitor a news website such as those maintained by ABC, CBS, CNN, MSN/NBC and/or PBS (I highly recommend the THE NEWS HOUR With Jim Lehrer on Channel 8 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Channel 30 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., M-F.); and the CNN, and Headline NEWS channels. Listen to National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" on WABE, FM 90.1, M-F.. at 6:00 to 9:00 a.m., and 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. When on campus, grab a NY Times newspaper. They are often found in the A&S building and on the 2nd floor of the University Center.
Reading Assignments
(The page numbers for the readings can be found in the table of contents p. v-viii in the beginning of the Understanding the Presidency book.)
Examination 1: Understanding the Presidency Readings 5-10 and 13, 14, 16, 17, &18.
Examination 2: Understanding the Presidency Readings 19-23, and 28-33
Examination 3: Understanding the Presidency Readings 34-37, 39-40, 42-46