Master of American History and Government

Ashland University

Master of American History and Government

Ashland University

AHG 632:

The American Presidency I

Sunday, July 29 to Friday, August 3, 2007

Instructors: Marc Landy and Jeremy Bailey

Course Description:

This course is an examination of the political and constitutional development of the office of president from the Founding era through the Civil War. It focuses on how the presidency shaped American political life as the country grew and struggled with rising sectional tensions.

Learning Objectives:

The courses key learning objectives are encompassed by the following questions:

• To what extent does the presidency as described in Article Two of the Constitution serve to explain how the presidency functioned up through Lincoln? Which development is most important?
• Did the modern presidency emerge before the 20th century?
• Are there two presidencies, one domestic and one foreign?
• Is the presidency the most powerful branch?
• Is the presidency too powerful?
• What is the role of political parties in presidential affairs?
• What is presidential greatness?

Requirements:

There will be a final exam given at the end of the course. It will be based on both the readings and class discussion and will be oriented towards the listed learning objectives for the course and the focus questions for each class.

Students auditing the course as a part of a Teaching American History Grant program must complete the readings and fully participate in the seminars during the week.

Required Texts:

• Marc Landy and Sidney Milkis, Presidential Greatness, ISBN: 0700611495
• John Patrick Diggins, John Adams, ISBN: 0805069372
• Garry Wills, James Madison, ISBN: 0805069054
• Robert V. Remini, John Quincy Adams, ISBN: 0805069399
• John Seigenthaler, James K. Polk, ISBN: 0805069429
• Phillip Shaw Paludin, The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, ISBN: 0700607455

Schedule

Sunday, July 29

4:30 6:00 pm: Session 1 - Constitutional Structure and Design

Readings:

• US Constitution, Art II. (CP pg. 1)
• The Federalist Nos. 51, 68-77 (CP pg. 3)

7:30 pm 9:00 pm: Session 2 Evening Lecture.

Attendance is required.

Monday, July 30

9:00 -10:30 am: Session 3 - Constitutional Structure and Design, contd

Readings:

• The Federalist Nos. 51, 68-77 (cont.) (CP pg. 3)

10:40am-12:20 pm: Session 4 - George Washington

Readings:

• Landy and Milkis, chs. 1-2

4:30 6:00 pm: Session 5 - George Washington, contd

Readings:

• George Washington, Farewell Address (CP pg. 51)

Tuesday, July 31

9:00 10:30 am: Session 6 - John Adams

Readings:

• John Patrick Diggins, John Adams

10:40am 12:20 pm: Session 7 - Thomas Jefferson

Classes 6-7: Thomas Jefferson

Readings:

• Landy and Milkis, ch. 3

Thomas Jefferson:

• First Inaugural (CP pg. 63)
• Second Inaugural (CP pg. 67)
• Letter to Elias Shipman and Others, 1801 (CP pg. 71)

4:30 6:00 pm: Session 8 - Thomas Jefferson, contd

Readings:

US Constitution, Twelfth Amendment (CP pg. 75)

Thomas Jefferson:

• Letter to John Breckinridge, 1803 (CP pg. 77)
• Letter to John Colvin, 1810 (CP pg. 79)

Wednesday, August 1

9:00 10:30 am: Session 9 James Madison and James Monroe

Readings:

• Garry Wills, James Madison

10:40am 12:40 pm: Session 10 - John Quincy Adams

Readings:

• Robert Remini, John Quincy Adams

4:30 6:00 pm: Session 11 - Andrew Jackson

Readings:

• Landy and Milkis, ch. 4

Thursday, August 2

9:00-10:30 am: Session 12 - Andrew Jackson, contd

Readings:

• Andrew Jackson, Nullification Proclamation (CP pg. 83)
• Bank Veto Message (CP pg. 95)

10:40am-12:20pm: Session 13 - The Whigs to Polk

Readings:

• John Seigenthaler, James K. Polk

4:30 6:00 pm: Session 14 Abraham Lincoln

Readings:

• Landy and Milkis, ch. 5
• Paludin, The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln

• Lincoln
  • Lyceum Address, 1838 (CP pg. 107)
  • House Divided Speech, 1858 (CP pg. 113)

Friday, August 3

9:00-10:30 am: Session 15 Abraham Lincoln, contd

Readings:

Abraham Lincoln,

• First Inaugural (CP pg. 119)
• Special Message to Congress, 4 July 1861 (CP pg. 125)
• Emancipation Proclamation (CP pg. 135)
• Gettsyburg Address (CP pg. 137)
• Second Inaugural (CP pg. 139)

10:40am-12:20pm: Session 16 - The Constitution and Development

Review - readings for sessions 1-2

1:30 3:00 pm: Session 17 - Final Exam