History Department: H389A Politicial Scandals & Political Leadership

History 389: "I Am Not a Crook":
Political Scandals & Political Leadership in
American History
CAS/Fall 2004
Sykes 222

Dr. Henry Kamerling
Office: 201 Watkins
Hours: M/W/F 9-10, 12-1
Phone: 704-337-2435
Email: kamerlih@queens.edu

Image: NY Times Headline, August 8, 1975

Course Overview: Watergate, Iran Contra, Whitewater, Monica Lewinsky; these names represent only the most recent and notable examples of scandals in the American political landscape. This course will explore examples of scandals from the salacious (Sally Hemmings and Marilyn Monroe) to the obscenely corrupt (Boss Tweed and the Tamany Hall Gang), to the merely power hungry (Lincoln’s suspension of habeas Corpus). What does the persistent nature of these scandals reveal about the fundamental nature of the American political system? What standards should we hold our politicians to? This course will probe the answer to such questions by examining various political scandals throughout the sweep of American history. In the course of our studies we will explore various models of leadership and ask the question whether the times make the leader or is the leader made by the times.

Explanation of Grading Breakdown

Attendance Policy: Attendance counts as 5% of your final grade and affects other grades you will receive in this course like class participation. There are no "free" absences. Excused absences are possible but must be cleared with me, in advance if possible. Each CAS class meets twice a week and runs an hour and fifteen minuets long. I consider each class as a class and a half. Therefore, missing one class is equivalent to 1.5 absences. If you show up late to class you may be marked as absent and it is your responsibility to see that I make the correct changes. This can only be done on the day you show up late and not after. Two "late" marks will count as one absence. Each un-excused absence will be factored in as a third off your final attendance grade. In addition, each absence will also take one point off your final grade for the course. Finally, absences, excused or un-excused, negatively impact your class participation grade.

At the start of every class there will be one five to ten minute quiz over the reading. Quizzes will be simple and are designed just to check and make sure you have done the reading. You may use a hand written 3x5 note card for quizzes. Students who show up early to class may start their quizzes early. Quiz time will not last longer than 10 past the hour. This class meets three times a week for an hour. Classes will be divided between lecture and discussion. You are expected to have read the material in advance and come to class ready to discuss the day’s assignment. Bring all your books with you to each class.

Assignment and Evaluation: Students taking this course will be evaluated on the basis of the following assignments and requirements:

Assignment	Percent	Date Due	Assignment	Percent	Date Due
Attendance	5%		Class Participation	15%
Homework	10%		Political Scandals in the News: Class Presentation	20%
Quizzes	10%		The Scandal Sheet: Journal	15%
			Final Paper	25%

Grading Homework: Homework submitted will earn only a check. If all homework is submitted, the student will earn all the points towards their final grade. Homework will earn a "check -" a "check" or a "check +." These indicate unsatisfactory work, satisfactory work, or exemplary work. Two "check -" marks on a student's homework will result in a "zero" mark in the gradebook. This is equivalent to as a failure to submit a homework assignment.

Integrated Electronic Learning: Throughout this course we will have class sessions devoted to exploring history using the emerging information technologies. You will need to obtain email accounts and it is essential to develop a familiarity with its uses. Study questions, assignments, and electronic discussion topics will regularly be posted to your account. Some assignments will also require access to WWW pages and gopher cites. You will be able to complete such projects in the school's computer lab.

Required Reading: There are no required books to purchase for this course. Instead, all of your reading will come in two forms: 1) handouts and 2) reserve readings placed in the library. Most of your readings will be placed on reserve in the library in a three ring binder under my name, titled: "Readings in Political Scandals and Political Leadership." On the syllabus reserve reading is indicated by the symbol ®. I have also placed almost all the books and journals where the reserve reading-articles come from on reserve.