PSC 305: PRESIDENCY AND CONGRESS.

By Jeremy Lewis. Last revised 26 Oct. 2007 with removal of Dodd book.

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. 201 or 212 or 207 or permission of instructor prerequisite.

Learning objectives, understood at the 300 level, and assessed by the final examination:

powers and processes of the presidency
development of the modern presidency
composition, powers and processes of Congress
development of the modern Congress
contrasting methods of election and campaigning
constituencies served, goals, staff and time horizon
the parties in Congress and the presidency
characteristics and operation of government in foreign policy
characteristics and operation of government in domestic policymaking,
the federal budgeting process
congressional oversight of the executive
instruments of conflict and cooperation among Congress and the presidency

We will explore each of these two government institutions separately and in their mutual relations. We shall consider the theories of congressional and presidential action, a case study of how a bill becomes law, and the remarkable recent conflict between the Clinton administration and the first Republican congress in half a century. This course should help prepare us for further studies in political science and law; perhaps also in public administration.

The style of the course will be both lecture and seminar-based. Sometimes 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)

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: Current Affairs: order Newsweek or US News at the best available discount -- generally under $8 for the semester.

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."