Ashbrook Scholars have the benefit of studying with the Ashland University History and Political Science department, which has earned a reputation as one of the best in the nation because of what is taught (that is, a curriculum emphasizing Western Civilization and the American Founding), how it is taught (conversationally with great books and original documents), and who is teaching.
All Staff and Faculty involved with the Ashbrook Scholar program are dedicated to promoting the academic and personal success of the Ashbrook Scholars, and they devote an unheard of—almost outrageous—amount of time and energy to this. They spend a great deal of time helping students with academic coursework and advising, senior thesis research, internship and career placement, and resume writing and interview preparation.
History and Political Science faculty at Ashland University include:
- Peter W. Schramm, Professor of Political Science and Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center; Ph.D., M.A., Claremont Graduate School; M.A., The London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London; B.A., California State University, Northridge. Recent courses offered: Understanding Politics, Topics in American Politics: Lincoln, Human Being and Citizen. Recent publications: "One Last Card to Play: A Review of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America by Allen C. Guelzo," Claremont Review of Books (2004); "Booker T. Washington and the 'Severe American Crucible,'" chapter in History of American Political Thought (2003); Introduction, Lord Charnwood, Abraham Lincoln: A Biography (1996).
- David Foster, Associate Professor of Political Science and Chairman of the Department of History and Political Science; Ph.D., M.A., University of Toronto; B.A., McMaster University. Recent courses offered: Western Civilization, Western Political Thought, Comparative Politics; Recent Publications: "Mark Twain on the American Character," History of American Political Thought (2003); "Civic Education", Encyclopedia of Democracy; "On the Goal of Liberal Education," The Hiram College Advance (1997); "The Bible and Natural Freedom in John Locke's Political Thought," Piety and Humanity (1997).
- Jeffrey Sikkenga, Associate Professor of Political Science; Ph.D., M.A., University of Toronto; B.A., University of Virginia. Recent courses taught: Understanding Politics, Democracy in America, Constitutional Powers, Constitutional Rights, Topics in Political Thought: Machiavelli. Recent Publications: History of American Political Thought, co-editor (2003); The Free Person and the Free Economy, co-author (2001); Transforming Welfare: The Revival of American Charity, editor (1997).
- John Moser, Associate Professor of History; Ph.D., M.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; B.A., Ohio University. Recent courses taught: Contemporary Europe, Age of Revolution and Reaction, 1789-1900, The Byzantine Empire. Recent publications: Right Turn: John T. Flynn and the Transformation of American Liberalism; "Ideological Roots of the Red Scare," History in Dispute: The Red Scare after 1945.
- Justin Lyons, Assistant Professor of Political Science; Ph.D., Institute of Philosophic Studies, University of Dallas; M.A., University of Dallas; M.A., Centre for Medieval Studies, University of Toronto; B.S., University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Recent courses taught: International Relations, Topics in Political Thought: Churchill, Comparative Politics. Recent Publications: "Words of War: Winston Churchill and the Rhetorical Challenges of Democratic Leadership," Perspectives on Political Science (2006); "Remembering Winston Churchill: A Possession for All Time," Finest Hour: Journal of the Churchill Centre and Societies (2005); "The Temple and the Tower: Winston Churchill on the Political Language of Peace," Perspectives on Political Science (2004).
- Christopher Burkett, Assistant Professor of Political Science; Ph.D. Candidate, Institute of Philosophic Studies, University of Dallas; M.A., University of Dallas; B.A., Ashland University. Recent courses taught: Understanding Politics, American Political Thought, The American Founding, American Foreign Policy. Recent publications: Review of Freedom Reclaimed: Rediscovering the American Vision by John E. Schwarz, Political Science Quarterly (2006); "Contemporary Conservative Foreign Policy and the American Founding," in Modern America and the Legacy of the Founding (2006).
- Kristofer Ray, Assistant Professor of History, Ph.D., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; B.A., Baylor University. Recent Courses Taught: American History through the Civil War; The Early Republic, 1790-1820. Recent publications: Progress and Popular Democracy on the Southwestern Frontier: Middle Tennessee, 1775-1825 (2007); Assistant Editor, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series, Volume 2: November 1809-August 1810, Volume 3: August 1810-June 1811, and Volume 5: May 1812-March 1813 (Princeton University Press).