Syllabus

Leadership in American History

History 195S.06, Fall 2006

Gerald L. Wilson
gwilson@asdean.duke.edu
04 Allen Building
684-2865

I. FOCUS OF SEMINAR

By using examples from American History this seminar will examine characteristics of leaders and the decision-making process. Attention will be given ethical issues involved in both the process and the product of decision-making.

II. METHODOLOGY

As a seminar, student participation lies at the core of the classroom experience. Each student will be expected to contribute to class discussions daily and to lead the seminar on the day his or her paper is presented.

III. REQUIRED READING

Burns, James MacGregor, Leadership
Chafe, Williams, Private Lives, Public Consequences
Clark, Walter, Ox Bow Incident
Gergen, David, Eyewitness to Power
Machiavelli, Niccolo, Prince
Neustadt, R., and May, Thinking In Time
Warren, Robert Penn, All The King's Men
Wills, Gary, Certain Trumpets
Wood, Gordon S. Revoluntionary Characters

Additional readings as assigned

Specific reading assignments for each week will be made the preceding week.

IV. PAPER AND CLASS PRESENTATION

Each student will prepare a paper of about 20 pages either individually, or as part of a team, to be presented to the class on a designated day, examining the life of a historical or contemporary person or examining a problem or policy as it reflects leadership or the failure thereof.

Please note the following:

(1) The paper/presentation topic must be approved in advance by the instructor.

(2) On the day of the presentation at the beginning of class, student(s) will present an outline of the paper to the instructor and class.

(3) The paper is due at the end of the final exam period designated for a course if a final exam were to be given. It should be revised taking into account class criticism\comments and it should contain a section of at least 1 page at the beginning or the end responding to these criticisms (e.g. Indicated how you revised the paper or why you did not). If you wish to have a copy returned to you with the instructor=s comments, you must turn in two copies of the paper.

V. CLASS ATTENDANCE

Since this is a seminar, students are expected to attend all class sessions unless compelling reasons prevent attendance.

VI. EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE

Final evaluation of a student's performance in the class will be based on two factors:

(1) Participation in class discussions (50%)
(2) Paper and class presentation (50%)

VII. QUESTIONS/PROBLEMS

Dean Wilson will be available to students for discussion of matters pertaining to the course. Please call 684-2865 or come by 04 Allen Building and identify yourself as a member of the class to arrange an appointment.

LEADERSHIP IN AMERICAN HISTORY

History 195S.06 Fall 2006

Syllabus (Subject to modification as appropriate)

Session I Introduction: Course Requirements, Questions to be considered

Session II The Prince (Machiavelli)

Session III Leadership, (Burns)
Prologue: Part I, Chapter 1 & 2
Part III Chapters 6, 7,8,9
Part IV Chapters 10 – 14

Session IV The Ox Bow Incident (Clark)

Session V The Ox Bow Incident (Clark)

Session VI Discussion of Paper Topics

Session VII All The King’s Men (Warren)

Session VIII All The King’s Men (Warren)

Session IX Jimmy Carter – Failure or Statesman? (Handouts)

Session X Dilemmas of Leadership
(Handouts) - Jefferson and Slavery
FDR & the Jews
Kennedy and 13 Days In October

Session XI Eyewitness to Power (Gergen)

Session XII Certain Trumphets (Wills)

Session XIII Revoluntionary Characters (Wood)

Session XIV Private Lives/Public Consequences (Chafe)

Session XV Public and Private Ethnics of Leaders (Film)

Session XVI A Parable for our Times

Session XVII Thinking in Time (Neustadt and May)

Class presentations as assigned for the remainder of the semester.