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PIR-30117 - Module Specification
School of Social, Political and Global Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

PIR-30117 - The U.S. Presidency
Coordinator: Jon Herbert Room: CBB2.027 Tel: +44 1782 7 33539
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

The high profile of the U.S. presidency is undeniable. Whether occupied by an Obama or a Trump, the office is also perceived as one of the most powerful institutions in the world. Yet, in a political system designed around a separation of powers, the capacity to lead is not guaranteed. This module allows you to consider the different techniques presidents use to lead and whether those techniques work.
The module is taught in two-hour seminars and is assessed by two case studies to be chosen by, and researched by, the student . The case studies are an opportunity to examine presidential leadership in a series of policy areas of your choice.

Aims
This module aims to equip students with,
a. knowledge of academic studies of the U.S. presidency
b. the capacity to apply the models outlined in those studies
c. the capacity to evaluate those studies' strengths and weaknesses.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/pir-30117/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Apply political science theory to classify presidential behaviours.
: 1,2
Write short, direct reports on the results of their research.
: 1,2
Offer informed analysis on the capacity of presidents to pursue particular strategies of policy leadership.
: 1,2
Identify strengths and weaknesses in theories of presidential leadership.
: 1,2
Pursue independent research on presidential conduct in a policy area of their choice.: 1,2

Study hours

Seminars: 20 hours
Seminar Preparation: 50 hours
Case Study Preparations: 80 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Case Study weighted 40%
Research on, and analysis of, one example of presidential behaviour.
The Case Study is a 1,500 word analysis of either, a recent presidential election result or, a presidential attempt to lead legislative change in Congress. Students will be presented with a list of potential case studies to choose from. They will be asked to consider our current understandings of presidential conduct and apply their ideas in explaining recent events.

2: Case Study weighted 60%
A 1,750 Word Case Study considering presidential leadership of either public or bureaucracy.
The second Case Study is a 1,750 word analysis of either, a recent presidential attempt to lead public opinion or, a presidential deployment of executive power. Students will be presented with a further list of potential case studies to choose from. They will be asked to consider our current understandings of presidential conduct and apply their ideas in explaining recent events.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023