The course is arranged topically, rather than chronologically, although we will proceed chronologically within the topics. I am assuming that you have a good understanding of American history. Please note that none of the required readings is a history of the American presidency. If you need such a book to assist you in understanding the chronological evolution of events and the presidency, I would suggest that you pick up Marcus Cunliffe's The Presidency, 3rd edition by Houghton Mifflin or James Pfiffner, The Modern Presidency, 2nd edition by St. Martin's Press. If you need a general American history textbook to help you, I would suggest George Tindall's America: A Narrative History, 4th edition by Norton Press. I have not ordered any of these three books for the course, but the Florida Bookstore can get them for you, and there should be lots of copies of Tindall's book at any local bookstore. The course will combine lectures and discussion in every class, so be sure to come and come prepared. We will begin each class with a general discussion of the presidency in 1999 and plans for the campaign in 2000. So you should be reading either The New York Times or The Washington Post daily and be prepared to discuss current developments in the news.