First-Year Seminar: The Presidency 101: From Washington to Trump

3 units

Is this your first presidential election, or are you a policy wonk? Regardless of your political experience, this course provides an opportunity for students to learn about the American presidency as a contemporary political institution with deep roots in American history. This first-year seminar introduces undergraduates to the presidency by considering the institution in its political and cultural contexts. Using the 2020 election as a point of departure, this course will explore how the current president as well as the aspiring candidates reveal broader trends and new developments in American political history. In addition to introducing students to the study of the presidency, this course will also introduce students to diverse means of studying culture, with assignments that range from political speeches to policy documents to popular media.