Instructor Spotlight: Jacob Ackiron and Asaf Grofman

What inspired you to teach this course?

Jacob: I wanted to share my passion for the American presidents with students—to inspire long-lasting curiosity, holistic understanding, and critical analysis of those leaders who shaped our country. Moreover, this course topic fills a gap that currently exists in the Political Science department. While there are empirical studies of the presidency and American policy classes, no course tackles who our leaders have been.

Asaf: For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with the human being behind the president. I have immersed myself in presidential biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs and discussed the presidents with everyone I know. Studying the presidency—and the individuals who have held the office—is a passion of mine. Teaching this class has been the perfect way to share that passion and encourage students to pursue their own curiosities, no matter how niche they may be.

Which president is your favorite to teach about in your class?

Our favorite president to teach has been George W. Bush. For our second week focusing on his presidency, we conducted a “war cabinet” simulation, set on September 12, 2001. In the simulation, each of our students played a principal actor in the deliberations after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Together, the students contributed their character’s perspectives, concerns, and unique expertise to our collective understanding of the gravity of that day. We were pleased with how passionately each of our students embodied their personas, and how much research they conducted to execute the simulation meaningfully.

What is the importance of analyzing presidencies during this politically turbulent time in America?

It’s important to recognize how much American politics has changed—and how much it has stayed the same. There have been moments in our history where senators physically fought each other on the Senate floor. Studying history reminds us that political turmoil and uncertainty are not necessarily new. It shows how, in many ways, things have improved over time, but it also reminds us that backsliding is always possible.

What do you hope that students will take away from your course?

We hope students come away with an appreciation for how deeply the American presidency influences their everyday lives. It has been rewarding to see them recognize the ways presidents have shaped their experiences as the class progresses, often in ways they hadn’t realized before. Ultimately, we want students to leave the course not only with a stronger academic understanding of the presidency but also as more informed, engaged citizens who work to make, in the words of President Obama, the “world as it should be, as our children deserve it to be.”