A11: The Modern Presidency: George W. Bush’s Final Year in Office (3 units)
Time: Monday 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Dates: February 11, 18, 25 & March 3
Place: Senior Center
Instructor: Ralph C. Bledsoe
Limit: 75

Ralph Bledsoe was a Special Assistant to President Reagan and the first director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. At the White House, he served as Executive Secretary of the Domestic Policy Council and of the Cabinet Council on Management and Administration, Executive Director of the Federal Property Review Board, Assistant Director for Management and Administration of the Office of Policy Development, and Associate Director of the Office of Planning and Evaluation. Bledsoe was a corporate executive and a university faculty member and a member of several national and international public administration organizations. With less than a year remaining in the current administration, this seminar will explore the transition of domestic and foreign policy matters in light of today’s presidential campaigns.

This seminar is designed to increase the participant’s knowledge of the modern presidency and institutions at the top levels of the executive branch, and the processes by which a new president will be selected and installed. Discussion will include a review of President Bush’s domestic and foreign policies, covering such topics as the relationships between the president, Congress, and the courts; the War on Terrorism; Iraq; the U. S. economy; and the formal and informal powers and authorities available to the president. Past experiences will complement current observations, in which the instructor and participants share knowledge and thoughts. Readings, research, discussions and handouts will complement brief lectures. Emphasis will be on current events, with limited repetition from previous seminars.