PUBPOL 3030

Presidential Power and White House Leadership

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

The seminar format places discussion at the center our learning experience. Each session combines brief framing, close reading of primary sources, and sustained analytical conversation. By the end of the course, students will be able to assess presidential power, evaluate historical legacies, and think critically about the institution's role in American democracy. Additionally, we will endeavor to meet with senior officials who have worked for an American President, a Member of Congress, a Member of the Judiciary or with luck, a former President!

Last 4 Terms Offered (None)

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the constitutional foundations of executive power and the Framers' intentions.
• Explain how presidential power has expanded (and contracted) over time.
• Analyze the relationship between the presidency and Congress, the courts, and the public.
• Evaluate competing interpretations of presidential leadership using historical evidence.
• Engage in structured, evidence-based discussion on contested political topics.

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