The Contemporary Presidency
Academic Responsibility: Dr Mark Ledwidge
This module leads on from the module on the Modern Presidency course in Year Two and deals with the Presidency from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama. It looks in detail at the 1980 Presidential election and Reagan's rise to the Presidency since his time as a Hollywood actor and leading anti-Communist in the 1950s. It then examines his presidency both at home and abroad with particular reference to relations with the Soviet Union and the Iran-Contra dispute. The Presidency of George Bush is then explored and the end of the Cold War and the onset of the first Gulf War with Iraq are discussed. The Clinton Presidency is then examined, including the failed attempt at health care reform and the later impeachment of Clinton. George W Bush's Presidency is the subject of close examination, especially 9/11 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Finally, the election of Barack Obama in 2008 is discussed and his Presidency so far is evaluated, especially health care reform and the conflict in Afghanistan.
As well as a detailed chronological approach to the Presidency consideration is given to various theories about the US Presidency such as "the Imperial Presidency", "the Two Presidencies" and the "Postmodern Presidency". Major themes and issues such as relations with Congress and the Supreme Court and national security policy since 9/11 are also discussed.
Assessment
Assessment is by coursework only - there is no examinations in American Studies.