LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY
PS 367 Congress and the Presidency
Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Tuesday and Thursday
10:30 AM – Noon
and by appointment
Dr. Richard Conboy
Fall 2004
215 Library
Phone: (906) 635-2339
E-mail: rconboy@lssu.edu
Course Description and Objectives
At this particular time, while the U.S. is in the midst of an election year, we have an excellent
opportunity to analyze some of the basic questions and issues concerning the structure and
operation of the U.S. Congress and the Presidency. While the problems of terrorism, health care,
the economy, taxes, educational reform, and crime control are affecting the homefront and there are
various potential crises areas around the globe, the U.S. is continues to get its bearings in a post
9/11 world.
We will use these controversies and issues as a laboratory for analyzing, with the assistance of our
texts, the relations of the Congressional and Executive branches of government. The policies that
we will focus on include, among others, the inherent Constitutional conflicts among the branches of
government, policy issues, the interplay of partisan/ideological interests and personalities, and the
structural/institutional dimensions of government. This will require you to be aware of current
national political events and follow them as reported in the national news media by means of the
internet and television, especially on C-SPAN.
The course will begin with an examination of the presidency; in the second half of the semester, we
will focus on the operations of Congress. Given the outcome of the election, this part of the course
will also study the possible changes in the relationship between the two branches of government.
Students successfully completing this course will achieve the following objectives:

demonstrate an understanding of the essential institutions and processes associated with
Congress and the Presidency and their interaction

describe and analyze some of the important contemporary issues that the two institutions are
debating

apply political science theories to the study of Congress and the Presidency through field
projects, computer simulations, writing assignments, and discussions

present some of the theories of political science in the context of Congress and the Presidency

familiarize the students with resource materials for continuing their study of Congress and the
Presidency

.
develop critical thinking techniques in analyzing issues related to Congress and the Presidency
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Textbooks
DiClerico, Robert. The American President, Fifth Edition. Prentice-Hall, 2000.
Bell, L. The U.S. Congress: A Simulation. Wadsworth, 2005.
Loomis, Burdett. The Contemporary Congress. Wadsworth, 2004.
The assigned readings in the text should be read prior to each class meeting. Other reading and CSPAN assignments will be scheduled during the semester. On Sunday evenings, C-SPAN covers
congressional and presidential campaign events.
Course Requirements
Two examinations @ 80 points
Campaign reports @ 15 points
Media reports @ 15 points
Class participation
160 points
30 points
30 points
80 points
----------300 points
Final Grade
The following scale will be used to determine your final grade:
Points
270 – 300
240 - 269
210 - 239
180 - 209
0 - 179
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Examinations and Quizzes
There will be two examinations in this course. Each exam will involve the material covered since the
previous examination. They will be essay answer examinations and the questions will be based on
the material presented in the text, handouts, and lectures. Questions will also be based on material
discussed or presented in class and from the C-SPAN programming.
The format of the quizzes will be the same as the examinations. If you have any questions regarding
the material in the text, ask them during the class periods--there will be time available for questions
during every class--or during my office hours.
If needed, make-up examinations can be scheduled. Requests for make-up examinations are to be
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submitted in writing to me. The dates for the examinations will be announced at least a week prior to
the exam. The dates for the quizzes will be announced at least one class period prior to the quiz.
No make-ups will be given for the quizzes.
If you require special conditions for taking the tests or quizzes, please contact me so a suitable
format can be arranged.
Media Reports
These reports will require you to read or view two types of media that concern either a national
politician or one of the two political institutions that we are studying in this course. Another paper
could focus on a book describing one of the presidential campaigns. Provide me with the title of
what you are going to use in your papers before you start.
The following are some examples of films, TV shows, or documentaries that you might select:
Congress
Advise and Consent
Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
The Seduction of Joe Tynan
The Candidate
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
The Senator Was Indiscreet
Presidency
Abraham Lincoln
The American President
Cuban Missile Crisis
Fail Safe
Harry Truman
In the Line of Fire
The Running Mate
Wag the Dog
Young Mr. Lincoln
Absolute Power
Angel Over the White House
Dave
Four Days in November
Kennedy
Manchurian Candidate (1 or 2)
Seven Days in May
West Wing
Air Force One
Best Man
Dr. Strangelove
George Washington
Independence Day
Primary Colors
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Woodrow Wilson
The reports must be typed. It is strongly recommended that you use a word processor in writing
these papers, since it will allow you to revise them more easily. Limit your analysis to one side of a
sheet of paper, typed, double spaced.
Your papers should include the following elements:
•
•
•
•
•
•
your name and a title for your paper
cite the title of the source material being reviewed in your paper
summarize the main topic or theme of the material
compare or contrast each book's perspective with a chapter from our texts
if there is a difference between the text and what you have selected in how they
present a topic or issue, explain which perspective you consider to be more
accurate
finally, evaluate the materials and their arguments, rate each on a scale of one
to ten (with one meaning very poor and ten meaning excellent), and explain
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why you give it that particular rating.
Campaign Reports
This requirement requires you to track a congressional campaign and a single aspect of the
presidential campaign. The internet may be the most convenient method for conducting this
research. You also may have the opportunity to attend a debate, a presentation by a candidate, or
watch C-SPAN's coverage of various campaigns.
You should prepare an explanation of which campaigns you will be examining and hand it in by
September 13th. This should also describe how you will study the presidential campaign.
Each of your papers is to be limited to three typed pages. In general it should:






explain which campaign or aspect of the presidential campaign you are studying
explain why you selected the particular congressional race and aspect of the presidential
campaign
describe the method you used to collect the information about the campaigns
describe how you have structured your paper
relate what you have observed in the campaigns to the material covered in the text and
class discussions
summarize your findings
General Comments
All of your written work will be evaluated based on both the quality of its content as well as how it is
expressed. Proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation will improve your grades.
The penalty for plagiarism is a failing grade for the course.
Your attendance in class is necessary for class participation. Attendance will be taken on a periodic
basis.
Various articles will be distributed during the term and some will also be placed on reserve in the
library. You will be responsible for reading these as part of your course assignments.
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