(801)626-6698Take a look at my Biographical Sketch
Take a look at some of my syllabi.
Information  and highlights: WSU
 Mock Trial Program.
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EDUCATION:

Ph.D. University of Notre Dame   (Government ) 1990
M.Div. Southern Seminary   ( Theology ) 1984
M.A. University of Wyoming   ( Political Science) 1981
B.S. University of Wyoming ( Social Sciences )   1979

HONORS & AWARDS

*Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching/Council for the Advancement & Support of Education, "Utah Professor of the Year," (2003)

*American Political Science Association, "Outstanding Teaching in Political Science," (2000, 2003, 2004)

*Weber State University, "John S. Hinckley Fellow," (2003)

*Weber State University College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, "Endowed Professor," (1999 -- 2002)

*University of Minnesota, Duluth, "Outstanding Organizational Advisor (Pre-Law)," (1995)

ACADEMIC INTERESTS:

I teach Public Law courses in the Department of Political Science and Philosophy at Weber State University. Thus, I teach Constitutional Law, the Elements of Law/Judicial Process, and have also taught seminars on the Rehnquist Court, Constitutional Theory, the First Amendment, Equality and the Church-State Debate. In addition, I have taught courses in American Politics (e.g., Introduction to American Government and The Modern Presidency) and Political Theory. Further, I have started and directed, intercollegiate mock trial programs at both University of Minnesota, Duluth and Weber State. My research interests are in Constitutional Law, Theory, Judicial Politics, and I am developing research interests in Religion and Politics and the law as it relates to Higher Education ( e.g., tenure, promotion, workload and the like ).

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Teaching:

I developed an approach in order to supplement and strengthen the usage of the "Socratic Method" in undergraduate Public Law classes. The approach, "In-Class Debating," has been used at several colleges and universities. It was recognized by the American Political Science Association and a summary was published in their quarterly journal, PS. Too, my work with appellate simulations was recently cited by the Dr. Charles Knerr, President of the American Collegiate Moot Court Association. I have been nominated for the "Crystal Crest Award" for Outstanding Teaching nine times and was recognized by the American Political Science Association for Outstanding Teaching in 2000, 2003, 2004.  In 2003, I was selected by Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching/Council for the Advancement & Support of Education as the "Utah Professor of the Year."

Service:

During the past several years I have served as: Weber State "Due Process" Officer; Pre-Law Adviser; Director and Coach of the WSU Mock Trial Team; Chair, Faculty Board of Review; Chair, Appointment, Promotion, Academic Freedom, and Tenure Committee; Chair, University Promotion & Tenure Committee; Parliamentarian Faculty Senate; Faculty Advisor: College Republicans, Baptist Campus Ministries, Pre-Law Society. In addition, I have been President of the Western Association of Pre-Law Advisers since 2001and serve the Pre-Law Advisers' National Committee. I have also served in several leadership positions within the Republican Party including Chair of the Weber County Republican Party and Vice Chair of the Utah Republican Party. In 2000, I was a candidate for the United States Senate.

Scholarship:

In addition to my book, Over the Wall: Protecting Religious Expression in the Public Square (State University of New York Press, 2000), I have published articles in the Journal of Politics, the Marquette Law Review, the Drake Law Review, the Willamette Law Review, PS, Academe; chapters in four books; and a number of essays/review essays. Please see my curriculum vitae for a more complete listing. I am currently working on a introductory textbook in American government with Dr. Thomas Kuehls (we will introduce a custom-published version during the fall semester, 2002) and a two-volume series on the Constitution's free exercise clause and establishment clause.