Political Theory
The political theory field represents a range of perspectives in the study of political theory and in the approach to political thinking engaged with contemporary problems. Our greatest strengths are in the history of political thought, contemporary democratic and liberal theory, legal theory, and continental and critical theory. Ingrid Creppell's research has focused on the origins of liberalism and arguments for toleration. William Winstead is currently completing a book on Nietzsche, education, and the aesthetic and cultural dimensions of politics.
A common predisposition, regardless of the specific approach each one of us adopts, is a strong interest in linking the interpretation of texts and conceptual analysis to politically salient issues. For the most part, we see political theory as integrally engaged with concrete problems, and understand our objectives to have implications for thinking about contemporary questions of justice, freedom, human rights, education, legal change and group identity.
While the graduate program does not offer political theory as a primary field for the Ph.D., the department is clearly committed to integrating theory with research in other fields. Many graduate students pursue political theory as a secondary field, supplementing the design and pursuance of questions in American Politics, International Relations, and Comparative Politics.
Faculty
|
Ingrid Creppell Steven Kelts |
William Winstead Robert Adcock |
