GOVT 320 American Executive Processes/Institutions

The office and legal powers of government executives, especially the President, including trends in the Presidency during periods of conservative and liberal dominance.

This course is an essential component of the politics and policy concentration in the Helms School of Government. It provides a comprehensive overview not only of the U.S. presidency, but also of the American tradition of executive authority. It builds on the Constitutional principles taught in GOVT 200 and GOVT 220.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. 

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 300–400 words, contain a minimum of 1 scholarly resource in current APA format, and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 125-150 words.

Essay Assignments (2)

The student will write 2 essays for the course on topics outlined within the course. Each essay must be 800–900 words, adhere to current APA format, and include 3–4 scholarly sources.

Research Paper Assignments (2)

Research Paper: Initial Assignment

The student will analyze a provided case study on the Affordable Care Act to examine the dynamic relationship between the President and Congress. The purpose of this single profound example is to help the student develop the skills necessary to further identify for themselves and explain tensions between the Congress and President in other matters for Part 2. For Part 1 of the assignment, the student will supply a 300-word minimum case study in current APA format that focuses on the passage of the Affordable Care Act. The paper must include at least 2 scholarly sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.

Research Paper: Final Assignment

The student will write a 2,400-word research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on 5 presidential relations with Congress identified within the instructions. The paper must include at least 6 scholarly sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.

Reagan Presentation Assignment

The student will complete a presentation on Ronald Reagan’s presidential style. The presentation must be 20–25 PowerPoint slides and include at least 3–4 scholarly sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. All sources must be in current APA format.

Biblical Position Paper Assignment

Accountability and sinfulness: Any executive, and any government for that matter, must be held accountable to the people it represents due to man’s fallen nature. The student will write a minimum 1,500-word research-based paper in current APA format that focuses and analyzes the structure of our Constitution, emphasizing the executive branch, which increases accountability through limitation because leaders and citizens alike are irrational due to sin. The paper will include at least 4–5 scholarly sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.

Quizzes (2)

Each quizzes will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module: Week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 1-hour and 30-minute time limit.