Please log in or create a free account to purchase your course.

Starting with its inception in the eighteenth century, the American presidency has faced numerous inflection points that have reshaped the office. From its constitutional roots to Washington’s precedents, Jacksonian democracy, Lincoln’s Civil War power assertions, TR's and Woodrow Wilson's creation of the “rhetorical presidency,” FDR’s Great Depression and World War II presidency, the Cold War’s impact, Nixon and Watergate, the Global War on Terror, and Trump’s unprecedented tenure, the chief executive's influence has waxed and waned depending on circumstances and presidential leadership. Using classic and new scholarship as well as primary sources, this course examines the challenges and responses of presidents when they have faced and sometimes constructed historic crossroads.

COURSE CONTENT

• Twelve lectures
• Primary source readings that supplement the lectures
• A certificate of completion for 15 hours of professional development credit

Readings:The optional readings for each seminar session are listed in the Resources tab on the course page. You are not required to read or purchase any print materials. Quizzes are based on the lectures rather than the readings.

Course Access: After your purchase, you may access your course by signing into the Gilder Lehrman website and clicking on the MY COURSES link in the navigation menu.

Questions? Please view our FAQs page or email selfpacedcourses@gilderlehrman.org.

SCHOLAR

Barbara A. Perry is the Gerald L. Baliles Professor and Director of Presidential Studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, where she co-directs the Presidential Oral History Program. She has authored or edited sixteen books on presidents, First Ladies, the Kennedy family, the Supreme Court, and civil rights and civil liberties. Perry has conducted more than 120 interviews for the George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama Presidential Oral History Projects; participated in the Bill Clinton interviews; directed the Edward Kennedy Oral History Project; and co-directs the Hillary Rodham Clinton Oral History Project. She served as a US Supreme Court fellow and has worked for both Republican and Democratic members of the Senate.