Time Schedule:
Henry D Kamerling
BIS 425
Bothell Campus
Intensive examination of a particular topic on American institutions, ideologies, movements, and social conditions.
Class description
From the critique that President Bush lied America into war with Iraq to calls for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the Bush administration appears now to be awash in scandal. However, going all the way back to Thomas Jefferson’s affair with Sally Hemmings and right up to Bill Clinton’s trysts with Monica Lewinsky, scandal emerges as a regular hallmark of the American political tradition. This course will explore political scandals and ask what the persistent nature of scandals reveals about the fundamental character of the American political system? What standards should we hold our politicians to and what do scandals tell us about leadership? This course will probe the answer to such questions by examining the major political scandals throughout the sweep of American history.
Student learning goals
Students will be able to understand criteria for evaluating pesidential leadership.
Students will be able to understand criteria for evaluating the seriousness of politicial scandals.
General method of instruction
Class discussion, occassional lectures, some interactive media.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Papers and tests.
