Cleveland State University
PSC 342, section 1
The Presidency and Congress
3 credit hours
Spring 2016
10:15-11:05 a.m. MWF
MC 306A
Instructor: David F. Ericson
Office Phone: 216-687-4513
Office Location: Rhodes Tower 1743
Office Hours: 11:10-12:00 MW; 9:50-10:30 TT; or by appointment
Email: d.ericson@csuohio.edu
Catalogue Description: Gen Ed Eng/Comp. Consideration of thought about American political
institutions and practice. Major topics include revolutionary ideas and antecedents; framing of
the Constitution and constitutional debate; 19th-century responses to slavery and large-scale
industrialism; and modern social construction of race and gender. Other topics may include
Jefferson, Paine, Melville, Jacksonianism, Progressivism, and modern liberal thought. .
Prerequisite: Must have at least sophomore standing to be eligible for this course.
Required Books
(1) Hamilton, Alexander, et. al. The Federalist Papers (Signet Classic, 2003)
(2) Storing, Herbert J. (ed.). The Anti-Federalists: An Abridgement of the Complete AntiFederalist (University of Chicago Press, 2006)
(3) Johannsen, Robert W. (ed.). The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858 (Oxford University Press,
2008).
(4) Sumner, William Graham. What Social Classes Owe to Each Other (Caxton, 1982).
(5) Dahl, Robert. A Preface to Democratic Theory: Expanded Edition (University of Chicago
Press, 2006).
[All these books can be purchased at the university bookstore]
Class Requirements
(1) Class participation (15% of grade)
This class will be heavily oriented toward discussion of our readings. You will need to complete
the reading assignments on time in order to contribute to discussion and, obviously, you cannot
contribute if you are not in class.
(2) Oral Report (10%) More details to follow.
(3) Term paper (25%)
The term paper will ask you to further explore some topic related to the class readings. Topic
must be approved by the instructor. More details to follow.
(4) Take-home midterm and final exams (25% each)
Both exams will consist of two to three essay questions that will test your understanding of the
class readings.
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Class Goals
(1) To survey the history of American political thought through several of its central debates.
(2) To consider a number of broader questions about the history of American political thought,
including: (a) what have been the recurring themes in American political thought; (b) how much
conflict and consensus appear in American political thought and what is the nature of that
consensus; (c) what is the relation between ideas and interests in American politics.
(3) To develop critical thinking and writing skills.
Assessment
Your exam answers will be graded according to the following criteria. (The term paper will, in
addition, be graded on the quality and proper documentation of your sources.)
A = shows a superior understanding of the relevant material or materials; a superior
understanding is one that not only expertly explicates the meaning of the relevant material but
also one that artfully conveys its deeper implications and (where appropriate) presents insightful
connections between materials.
B = shows a good understanding; is deficient on one of the above dimensions
C = shows an adequate understanding; is deficient on two of the above dimensions
D = shows a poor understanding; is extremely deficient on one or more dimension
F = none of the above
Your class participation will be graded according to the following criteria.
A = regularly contribute to class discussion in a meaningful way
B = frequently contribute to class discussion in a meaningful way
C = occasionally contribute to class discussion in a meaningful way
D = rarely contribute to class discussion in a meaningful way
F = none of the above
Other Important Information
CLASSROOM POLICY: All students should follow the Viking Creed:
We, the Members of the Cleveland State University community, as active citizens in a living and
learning environment, bring to our campus a shared vision where "community" means.
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Sharing a clear vision of our common purpose
Treating all people fairly, justly and respectfully
Embracing and celebrating our diversity
Collaborating toward a common goal
Exhibiting caring and trust Involving students at all levels
Connecting Cleveland State University with our Greater Community
Embracing CSU as the metropolitan educational center of Cleveland
Learning in and out of the classroom
Celebrating ourselves through traditions
Taking responsibility to lead, to listen and to serve
Sharing power and influence
Committing to life-long learning and personal growth.
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As members of the Cleveland State University community, we have an individual and a
shared responsibility to practice the Viking Community Creed in order to create a campus
of inclusion, respect, integrity and purpose.
In addition to the above general standards, all students are expected to adhere to the following
policies:
No use of cellphones or texting in class.
No working on other course assignments.
No reading of outside material in class.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS: All university work should reflect a devotion to academic honesty.
As found in The Code of Student Conduct: “The Cleveland State University Academic
Community values honesty and integrity and holds its members to high standards of ethical
conduct. Academic dishonesty is, therefore, unacceptable, and students must be prepared to
accept the appropriate sanctions for any dishonest academic behavior as outlined in this policy
on academic misconduct.” Such conduct includes cheating, plagiarism, and tampering.
EDUCATIONAL ACCESS: Educational access is the provision of classroom accommodations,
auxiliary aids and services to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students regardless of
their disability. Any student who feels he/she may need an accommodation based on the impact
of a disability should contact the Office of Disability Services at 216-687-2015. The Office is
located in UC304. Accommodations need to be requested in advance.
WRITING CENTER: Writing is an important skill for all students, teachers and professionals of
every kind. As a student at Cleveland State University you will find that classes in every
discipline use writing to help students explore, create and communicate ideas. Student writing
can take many forms, from lab reports to research papers, group projects to journal entries.
The CSU Writing Center and WAC Program have two goals: hospitality and independence. We
strive to create a warm environment because we believe that writing requires many decisions that
are best made in a peaceful and welcoming environment. The other goal of independence refers
to our desire to teach students to use writing strategies for themselves. For the past several
semesters, we have seen over 900 students and given between 2,000-3,000 appointments. Our
staff is comprised of graduate students in literature or creative writing who enjoy working with
students. We are located on the first floor of the library behind the reference desk.
LIBRARY ASSISTANCE: Frances Mentch, Social and Behavioral Science Librarian, Michael
Schwartz Library, RT 110A; (216) 687-2365; f.mentch@csuohio.edu
You can schedule a research appointment with her using the “Ask Your Personal Librarian”
service: http://library.csuohio.edu/services/librarians.html
STARFISH: I encourage you to speak with me about any issues related to this course. My office
hours are posted in Starfish (accessible via CampusNet). You can visit this system 24/7 to check
on my times of availability and make an appointment. If those times do not work for you, please
email or speak to me after class about scheduling an appointment during another time.
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Course Outline
[all assignments should be completed by the date listed below unless I announce otherwise in class;
all reading assignments except those from the five assigned texts will be posted on blackboard]
Week 1
Jan. 22
AMERICAN FOUNDING
Federalist Papers, #’s 9-10, 15, 23
Week 2
Jan. 25
Federalist Papers, #’s 47-48, 51, 62-63
Jan. 27
Federalist Papers, #’s 35, 55-58
Jan. 29
Federalist Papers, #’s 68, 70-73
Week 3
Feb. 1
Federalist Papers, #’s 78-79, 84
Feb. 3
Anti-Federalists, Pennsylvania Minority, pp. 201-223
Feb. 5
Anti-Federalists, Federal Farmer, pp. 23-65 (Letters I-V)
Week 4
Feb. 8
Anti-Federalists, Federal Farmer, pp. 65-95 (Letters VI-XVIII)
Feb. 10.
Anti-Federalists, Brutus, pp. 103-173 (Essays I-VII)
Feb. 12
Anti-Federalists, Brutus, pp. 150-191 (Essays VIII-XVI)
Week 5
Feb. 15
No Class: President’s Day
ANTEBELLUM AMERICA
Feb. 17 American Antislavery Society, “Declaration of Sentiments” (December 6, 1833)
William Lloyd Garrison, No Compromise with Slavery: An Address Delivered in the
Broadway Tabernacle, New York, February 14, 1854 (New York: American Antislavery
Society, 1854).
Feb. 19 Frederick Douglass, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July,” in The Frederick
Douglass Papers: Series One: Speeches, Debates, and Interviews, ed. John W. Blassingame
(New Haven: Yale University Press, 1979), II: 359-88 (July 5, 1852)
Term Paper Topic Statement Due
Week 6
Feb. 22 John Henry Hammond, “Slavery in the Light of Political Science” (revision of his
Two Letters to Thomas E. Clarkson written in 1845), 629-70 (Letter I)
Feb. 24
Hammond, “Slavery in the Light of Political Science,” 671-88 (Letter II)
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Feb. 26 George Fitzhugh, Sociology for the South, or the failure of Free Society (Richmond:
A. Morris, 1854), chaps. 5, 19 [through page 183]
Week 7
Feb. 29 Lincoln-Douglas, “Speech of Abraham Lincoln, Springfield, June 16, 1858” pp. 1421; “Speech of Stephen A. Douglas, Chicago, July 9, 1858” pp. 22-36.
March 2
Lincoln-Douglas, “First Joint Debate, Alton,” pp. 37-74.
March 4
Lincoln-Douglas, “Seventh Joint Debate, Alton,” pp. 286-329
Take Home Midterm Handed out
Week 8
March 7
March 9
Take Home Midterm Due
Seneca Falls, “Declaration of Sentiments” (July 19, 1848)
Elizabeth Cady Stanton “Address at Seneca Falls” (July 19, 1848)
March 11 Henry David Thoreau, “Civil Disobedience” (1848)
Spring Break
Week 9
March 14 No assignment
PROGRESSIVE ERA
March 16 Sumner, What Social Classes Owe to Each Other, introduction, chaps. I-III.
March 18 Sumner, What Social Classes Owe to Each Other, chaps. IX- XI.
Week 10
March 28 Lester Ward, Lester Ward and The Welfare State (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill,
1967), chaps. 7-8 (“Dynamic Sociology”; “The Laissez Faire Doctrine is Suicidal”)
March 30 W. E. B. Du Bois, The Soul of Black Folk: Essays and Sketches (Chicago: A.
C. McClurg & Co., 1903), chap. X (“Of the Faith of the Fathers”)
April 1
Emma Goldman, “The Psychology of Political Violence,” in Anarchism and Other
Essays (Port Washington, NY: Kennikat, 1969), 85-114
Week 11
NEW DEAL ERA
April 4
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “New Deal Speech” (July 2, 1932) & “First Inaugural
Address” (March 4, 1933), in Nothing to Fear: The Selected Addresses of Franklin Delano
Roosevelt, 1932-1945 (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1946), 1-17
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April 6
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “Campaign Address” (October 14, 1936) & “Second
Inaugural” (March 4, 1937), in Nothing to Fear, 60-69, 87-92.
April 8
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “Fireside Chat on the Plan for the Reorganization of the
Judiciary” (March 9, 1937), in Nothing to Fear, 92-104.
Week 12
April 11 Herbert H. Hoover, “The Consequences of the Proposed New Deal” (October 31,
1932), in Addresses upon the American Road, 1933–1938 (New York: Charles Scribner’s, 1938),
1-19.
April 13 Herbert H. Hoover, “This Challenge to Liberty” (October 30, 1936), in Addresses
upon the American Road, 216-27.
April 15 Norman Thomas, “Why I Am a Socialist” (1936); “Is the New Deal Socialism” (1936)
Week 13
April 18
CONTEMPORARY ERA
Dahl, A Preface to Democratic Theory, forward, introduction, afterword
April 20
Dahl, A Preface to Democratic Theory, chap. 1
April 22
Dahl, A Preface to Democratic Theory, chap. 2
Week 14
April 25 Dahl, A Preface to Democratic Theory, chap. 3
April 27
Dahl, A Preface to Democratic Theory, chap. 5
April 29 Benjamin Barber, “Neither Leaders nor Followers: Citizenship under Strong
Democracy,” in A Passion for Democracy: American Essays, ed. Benjamin Barber (Princeton,
NJ: Princeton University Press, 1998), pp. 95-110
Week 15
May 2
Catharine A. MacKinnon, “Sexuality, Pornography, and Method: Pleasure
under Patriarchy,” Ethics 99, no. 2 (January 1989): 314-46
May 4
Nancy Fraser, “Legitimation Crisis? On the Political Contradictions of Financialized
Capitalism,” Critical Historical Studies 2, no. 2 (September 2015): 157-89.
May 6
Term Paper Due; Take Home Final Handed Out
May 9
Take Home Final Due; 10:15-12:15 a.m.
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