Political Science

Presidential Studies, Minor in

Presidential Studies, Minor in

Administered by the Department of

Political Science

Dr. Meena Bose, Adviser, 516-463-5616

About the Minor

The interdisciplinary minor in presidential studies makes use of the unique programs and resources offered by the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency. This program is designed for students with a keen interest in U.S. presidential leadership and policy-making who seek to examine executive politics from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Students who pursue the minor will take relevant courses in departments across the University and conduct primary archival research in presidential studies. The minor will help students develop the critical thinking skills necessary for advanced graduate work in presidential studies, and apply those skills to the practice of presidential politics and policy making.

In consultation with the program adviser, students will develop an individual plan of study for the minor that will identify their specific interests in presidential studies and relevant courses.

Minor Requirements – Total Semester Hours: 18

The minor requires the successful completion of 18 semester hours, distributed as follows:

A. Required Course Work – Semester Hours: 6

*Note

*NOTE: HIST 177A or 178A will be approved for the presidential studies minor when it focuses on the American presidency (and will be offered with this focus at least once annually).

B. Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Presidential Studies – Semester Hours: 9

After completing the two foundational courses, students will select 9 semester hours of elective course work in specific areas of presidential studies. A sample list of topics and courses follows. Other courses may be accepted as well, with the approval of the program adviser.

All elective courses must be approved by the program adviser. Students are responsible for meeting with the program adviser to identify the elective courses that they plan to take, and then for developing a plan of how they will focus on presidential studies in each course. In consultation with the program adviser and the course instructor, students are responsible for determining how they may incorporate presidential studies into their academic work within the existing syllabus for each elective course.

The 9 s.h. of electives must be taken in at least two academic departments.

Presidential Communication

Presidential Foreign-Policy Leadership

Presidential Policy Making

Presidential Politics

C. Archival Research in Presidential Studies – Semester Hours: 3

Chosen from the following:

Notes

Other courses may be accepted for archival research as well, with the approval of the program adviser.

As with the elective courses in B, students are responsible for meeting with the program adviser to identify the course for C in which they will pursue advanced archival research. In consultation with the program adviser and the course instructor, students are responsible for determining their research plan to complete this capstone requirement in presidential studies.

Upon completing 18 credits in presidential studies, students may be required to submit an evaluation of their research and academic development in the minor. This evaluation must be submitted to the program adviser for completion of the presidential studies minor.

No more than 6 s.h. of political science may count toward both the

political science major
 and the minor in presidential studies.

BA students should be aware that enrollment in more than 45 s.h. in any one department (course prefix) will require enrollment in course work in addition to the 124 s.h. generally required for the BA.

Students interested in declaring a presidential studies minor should consult with the

Political Science
 Department.

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