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."