Presidency Assignment I

ESSAY ON THE PRESIDENCY

The major assignment for the 3^rd quarter is an essay on an aspect of the Presidency.  The essay follows the guidelines set forth below, and is based on one of the topics listed.  We will spend a few days in both the library and the computer labs for guided research.  The essay should answer the following question(s) about the topic?

Your topic is an aspect of the Presidency which has grown and developed over the past 200+ years.  How the power is exercised now is far different than it was in the early years of the Republic.  What are the key aspect/events/changes in the growth and development of your subject over the years?  What is the best way to describe the current state of the topic (the way Presidents Bush and Obama have exercised this power)?  What, in your view is the single most important factor which has led to the growth and change of your aspect of the Presidency?  Why?

Topics

1.     The growth in power and influence of the Vice President

2.     The development of the President’s War Powers

3.     The development and growth President’s role in diplomacy and foreign affairs

4.     The development President’s role in the US economy

5.     The development and use of ‘executive privilege’

6.     The President’s use of the ‘bully pulpit’—the power of persuasion

7.     Another topic of similar scope created by you

            

For Friday, please

____  select the aspect of the presidency you will research

____  find two on line sources to begin research

____  have those sources be approved by me

____  send me an email with links to those sources