Presidential Leadership

A study of theories of presidential leadership and assessments of several presidencies, including those of George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. Addresses the personal qualities and capacities as well as the situational and historical contingencies that influence the effectiveness of various presidencies. Also considers the nature of social perception and its role in appraisals of presidential performance. Special attention will be given to presidential campaigning and presidential debates. Each student will undertake the study of one or more presidents. Primary focus historical.