History 743.3
The American Presidency
KC Johnson
Thursdays at 6.20pm
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This course examines the history of the American presidency, using institutional histories and presidential biographies. It will span from the immediate post-constitutional era to the present day. |
REQUIREMENTS:
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Course paper: 50% |
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Preparation of two sets of study questions: 25% |
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Participation: 25% |
BOOKS REQUIRED FOR PURCHASE: available at Shakespeare, but also online
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Kenneth Ackerman, The Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield |
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David Herbert Donald, Lincoln |
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Joseph Ellis, Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation |
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Aleksandr Fursenko and Timothy Naftali, "One Hell of a Gamble": Khrushchev, Castro, and Kennedy, 1958-1964 |
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Louis Gould, The Modern American Presidency |
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David Greenberg, Nixon's Shadow: The History of an Image |
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Kevin McMahon, Reconsidering Roosevelt on Race |
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Edmund Morris, Theodore Rex |
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Jonathan Rosenberg and Zachary Karabell, eds., Kennedy, Johnson, and the Quest for Justice |
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Stephen Skowronek, The Politics Presidents Make: Presidential Leadership from Adams to Clinton |
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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Transmit to students the foundational knowledge in the history of the American presidency |
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Analyze the importance of "figures in power" to understanding American history |
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Understand the critical role of the presidency in the development of the U.S. as a diverse democracy |