- Subject:
- Political Science
- Material Type:
- Module
- Level:
- Community College / Lower Division, College / Upper Division
- Provider:
- Ohio Open Ed Collaborative
- Tags:
- License:
- Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
- Language:
- English
- Media Formats:
- Text/HTML
American Government - Lumen Learning
Boundless Political Science
The American Presidency Project
Presidential Election Results - American Presidency Project
270 to Win
Video – What is the Electoral College? - CNN
Video – Does Your Vote Count? - TED Talk
The Presidency: Course Map & Recommended Resources
Overview
Learning Objectives
The resources included here are intended to map to the following learning objectives for an American Government Course:
- Discuss the theoretical ideas that shaped the structure of the presidency.
- Identify the constitutional powers of the executive branch.
- Explain how the presidency has grown and evolved over time.
- Describe some of the institutional advantages that the president has over other branches of government.
- Discuss the role of cabinet and other presidential staff in setting public policy.
- Explain the nature of the relationship the presidency has with Congress and the courts.
- Explain the factors that affect presidential success and failure.
- Describe the presidential election process and strategies pursued by presidential candidates.
Recommended Textbooks
Text: American Politics and Government in the Information Age
Chapter 13: The Presidency
Text: American Government - Lumen Learning
Module 12: The Presidency
Text: Boundless Political Science
Web-Based and Multimedia Resources
Web-Based Resources
- The American Presidency Project
- Presidential Election Results - American Presidency Project
- 270 to Win
Multimedia Resources
Discussion Questions and Key Concepts
Discussion Questions
Describe how the Electoral College works. Additionally, explain how a candidate can win the popular vote but lose the Electoral College vote, which has recently happened twice (2000 and 2016).
Outline various reforms that have been suggested to replace the Electoral College. Do you think any of them will ever be implemented? Why or why not? (Be sure to include the “National Popular Vote” plan outlined at the following website: https://www.nationalpopularvote.com)
How has the president’s role changed over the years in the areas of domestic policy and foreign policy?
Describe the formal powers of the president. Also, what informal powers does the president have?
What are signing statements? How did the use of signing statements change under President George W. Bush?
Key Terms or Concepts (Define):
Executive agreement
Executive order
Executive privilege
Going public or power to persuade
Stewardship model
Whig model
Executive Office of the President
War Powers Resolution