Does this situation look like a similar one faced by a President in history? And are there lessons to be learned from this prior Presidential action? How should the President want to be remembered in responding to this policy area? And why will your recommended course of action accomplish the best possible outcome for the President in the broadest sense?

Policy and action recommendation for the President

What: Recommend a policy and action for the President

This paper will give you a chance to get into some depth regarding the President’s role in the contemporary political system. You will choose a current event topic where some policy solution might legitimately involve the executive branch – foreign policy matters – it’s your choice and there are lots of great policy topics. Ask me if you want some help narrowing something down.

Now, imagine you are an advisor to the President (this one, or some imaginary other President if you prefer). It’s your job to brief the President and recommend a course of (executive) action. Detail the context of the event in question and the options for the presidential action. What part of the executive branch could act? And what could they do? And what obstacles exist to this action for the President? Think of it as an assessment of the potential opportunities available to a President and a cost-benefit analysis of any actions they might take.

Once you’ve worked through these details, offer your own recommendation of a course of action for the executive branch (or, perhaps a rationale for inaction?). Finally, since Presidents care about their legacy – put a historical trajectory on this possible action . Does this situation look like a similar one faced by a President in history? And are there lessons to be learned from this prior Presidential action? How should the President want to be remembered in responding to this policy area? And why will your recommended course of action accomplish the best possible outcome for the President in the broadest sense?

Why: This assignment is meant to give you a chance to thoroughly and completely work through the President/executive branch role in making policy in the U.S. system, while also applying some historical knowledge about how this role has shifted and changed in recent times. It should be an opportunity to apply a great deal of the course material – hopefully in a fun and interesting way.

When: Rough drafts due by the end of week 9, these will be more or less rough versions of your final paper, but unedited, and with some gaps, uncertainties or outlines still allowable. Peer editing will take place during week 10, which will be a thorough commenting on two other drafts for content and editing issues. Final drafts are due by Wednesday of Finals week.

How: Papers should be 8-12 pages, typed, double-spaced with standard fonts and margins. They should be uploaded to Canvas by the due date.

Grades for the final version of the paper will be based on three components: 1) How well you do your research and make your arguments and utilize our course material in doing your investigation ; 2) How well you write and present your findings – clear writing, well organized, proper sentence structure, etc. ; and 3) How well you followed the specific paper guidelines – proper topic, page length, margins, proper citations, etc. (about 10% of the total grade).

Textbooks to Cite from:
Ellis, J. R (2018). The development of the American Presidency. 3rd Ed.
Nelson, M. (2018). The Presidency and the Political System. 11th Ed
Skowronek, S.(1997). The Politics Presidents Make Leadership from John Adams to Bill Clinton.

NOTES FROM THE INSTRUCTOR:
When thinking about the actions you want your president to take, I encourage you to be specific and show some Module 3 course material learning. The president doesn’t just “do” things. They utilize various people and institutional structures to try and accomplish their aims. Think about the cabinet agencies. Think about the various personnel in the EOP. Think about the tools for executive action and for public appeal. If you want your president to sign an executive order, think about who the President is directing to act within the executive branch. If you want them to appeal to the public, consider what people the president relies on to help push a public message. The more nuance you can get with your recommended action, the better.

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