HomePage/ Schedule/ TextGrading/ Connect/ PresAnalysis/ WebLinks/ DiscussionForum/ Instructor/ OralReportTips/

PRESIDENTIAL lEADERSHIP

   
Political Science 436

      Professor Bob Swansbrough

COURSE OVERVIEW

This senior-level seminar explores the concept of leadership, as manifested by U.S. presidents. It will assess the dynamics of America's presidential leadership in domestic and foreign affairs, with an emphasis on the post-World War II period. The course examines historical examples of strong and weak presidential leadership, focusing upon what characteristics of leadership the President of the United States (POTUS) needs to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.  

We will analyze some inaugural addresses and other major speeches by various presidents to explore the importance of the Rhetorical Presidency (which Theodore Roosevelt called the "bully pulpit") to achieve an administration’s goals. The course involves collaborative learning through team analyses of presidential speeches and case studies. The seminar will develop your oral presentation skills through class discussions, and an oral report on your analysis of a particular President's handling of a major issue. A midterm and final exam, plus a written research paper, will hone your analytical and writing skills.

The course will create a Connected Learning Community—utilizing UTC’s Blackboard’s technological tools—to explore the dynamics of presidential leadership. Students will extensively use the Internet to locate presidential documents on various Web sites (most linked in the course syllabus) and send e-mail to the instructor and classmates about assignments and analyses. Many of the analyses of presidential addresses will occur through collaborative, asynchronous on-line forum conferencing among team members during the week, followed up by classroom presentations and discussions. The seminar seeks to familiarize you and enhance your knowledge of essential technological skills that any UTC graduate entering the 21st century workforce must master!

HomePage/ Schedule/ TextGrading/ Connect/ PresAnalysis/ WebLinks/ DiscussionForum/ Instructor/ OralReportTips/

Last updated: November 13, 2007

UTC Home PageTop of PageSwansbrough Home Page

Please e-mail comments to: Bob Swansbrough.

Mail address: Dr. Bob Swansbrough, Department of Political Science, 417 Fletcher Hall, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403. Tel: (423) 755-4635 or 755-4240.