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PSC 305:
Presidency and Congress
Last revised 9 Jan. 2012 with revised
learning objectives and minor editing, by Jeremy
Lewis.
Purpose:
Catalogue Language: PSC 305 Presidency and Congress.
Analysis
of the two dominant federal institutions and their processes; contrasting
methods of election, constituencies served, goals, staff and time horizon.
Characteristics and operation of government in foreign and domestic policymaking,
budgeting; and the instruments of conflict and cooperation. 200 level course
in PSC recommended.
Course objectives:
-
To offer essential knowledge and conceptual understanding
of two topics for the political science major
-
Further develop critical thinking, and oral and written
communication skills introduced at the 200 level
Student Learning Objectives, students will demonstrate
knowledge of, and critical thinking about:
-
the powers and processes and development of the modern
presidency
-
the composition, powers, processes and development
of the modern Congress
-
the contrasting methods of election and campaigning
-
the constituencies served, goals, staff and time horizon
-
the functioning of parties in Congress and the presidency
-
the characteristics and operation of government in
foreign and domestic policy, including budgeting
-
conflict and cooperation among the Senate, House and
the presidency, including congressional oversight of the executive
The style of the course will be both lecture and seminar-based.
Sometimes part of a session will be used for a film; frequently you will
be expected to contribute presentations, questions and discussion. You
may present from outline notes, but not by reading out of the book: that
is unparliamentary.
Books:
Edwards III, George C. and Stephen J. Wayne.
Presidential
Leadership: Politics and Policymaking. (NY: St. Martin's Press)
Loomis, Burdett A., and Wendy Schiller.
The Contemporary Congress. (NY: St. Martin's Press)
These books are shared among
several political science courses:
Curtis, Michael (ed).
The Great Political Theories, Vol. II
(selections) (Avon/Discus,
1983)
Nivola & Rosenbloom
(eds) Classic Readings in American Politics St. Martins 3/e 1999
0-312-08419-6 [required sections on presidency & congress]
Supplementary Materials:
Recommended but no longer required: Dodd &
Oppenheimer, eds, Congress Reconsidered. Popular anthology
of perspectives, great for term papers, frequently updated in new editions.
Behavior: you are expected to comply with
the HC Honor Code and with specific rules placed on our Requirements
page above.
Students With Disabilities, HC notice:
"Huntingdon College makes every reasonable
accommodation for disabilities that have been processed and approved through
our Disability Services Committee in accord with the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In order to request
disability-related services at Huntingdon College, students must self-identify
to the Disabilities Intake Coordinator, and provide appropriate and up-to-date
documentation to verify their disability or special needs. After the accommodations
have been approved by the Disability Services Committee, the 504 Coordinator
will notify your professor(s) of the Committee’s decision. If you
have any questions regarding reasonable accommodation or need to request
disability-related services, please contact Disability Services at (334)
833-4556 or email disabilityservices@huntingdon.edu."