Course Syllabus
Instructor: Prof. Margaret O’Mara
Main Course Syllabus: You can see and download a full course syllabus here
Teaching Assistant: Sierra Mondragón
Click here to view Friday Section Syllabus: Section Syllabus
Welcome to Autumn 2024 and to HSTAA 213! This course considers the history and cultural significance of what is now the most consequential job in the world: President of the United States. How did the American presidency evolve over time? How have the people who have occupied the office shaped the presidency's norms and expectations? What makes a "great" president? Where does myth-making end and history begin? Our class will tackle these questions and more, drawing on original sources and historians' work to understand the office, its occupants, and the broader landscape of American politics and society.
This class is also open to auditors, who are welcome to join in Q&A sessions at the end of lectures. If you are an enrolled auditor, please also review the History memo to auditors for information about policies and participation.
We meet for class lectures twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays (instructor lecture plus Q&A/discussion) and in quiz section once a week on Fridays (in-depth discussion of readings, in-class assignments and more). All meetings are in person and consistent attendance and engaged participation is expected. We will not have class on 11/27/24 (the Wednesday before Thanksgiving) to accommodate holiday travel. Lecture slides and outlines will be made available on Canvas after class.
The course's major assignments are a midterm examination (to be given during class time 10/30/24), a research presentation (taped and submitted electronically, due 11/27/24), and a final examination (to be given during class time 12/4/24). Examinations may not be rescheduled, so please do not register for this course if you believe you will have scheduling conflicts. The remainder of your class grade will come from quiz section assignments, in-class individual and group work, occasional short homework tasks, and active participation in class Q&A.
The course policy page, which includes links to writing and studying resources and a grade scale for the course, can be found here.
QUICK LINKS TO WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS