PSCI 225 American Political System
Paper Assignment #3
Due Friday, 30 November 2007
This is your final paper for class. Landy and Milkis suggest that there are five great
presidents. I would like you to use Landy and Milkis’ criteria for greatness and make an
argument that a president was left off the list. Your paper should seek to address the
following two points:
1. Briefly review Landy and Milkis’ criteria for greatness. What are they?
2. Argue for expanding Landy and Milkis’ list by one president. Which president
deserves inclusion in the list of great presidents and most importantly why?
3. Frame your argument in terms that either Landy and Milkis’ criteria are wrongly
applied to your president OR additional or different criteria for greatness should
be used, which would then make your president qualify as great.
Your paper will require you to go back and search out a great president. Some
presidents will be easier to include in the great list than others. Landy and Milkis may
even argue your president should not be included. Challenging their reasoning as you
make your argument would be especially impressive. In any event, please go back to
previous readings and make use of them to support your analysis.
Other requirements for your paper:
1. It should be no longer than three pages.
2. It should include a bibliography.
3. It should contain sufficient direct and indirect quotations from both readings and
should properly cite these readings using Chicago Manual style (footnotes).
4. It should be turned in on time, either in class on the due date or emailed to me
prior to class. As stated in the syllabus, papers must be turned in on time.
Absolutely no late papers will be accepted.
5. Organize your thoughts and analysis in a way that promotes (rather than distracts
from) your argument. In other words, make strong points with strong evidence.
Don’t waste your time with small and ultimately trivial observations.
6. Be sure to thoroughly proofread your papers for small mistakes and typos.
7. Please include a signed honor code statement with your paper.
