FACULTY - Joseph B. Underhill
Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science
"I have a genuine commitment to work with and help each of our political science and international relations majors succeed. We take the time to meet with our students, get to know them and provide the best mix of courses internships, and job training to ensure they leave Augsburg well prepared to find meaningful work and serve their community."
Underhill's goal as a teacher is to spark student interest in and critical reflection on the political issues of the day, and to give students the analytical skills and grounded in theory and history necessary to make informed and intelligent decisions about those issues.
"Political field work is one of the most exciting ways to get a real grasp and understanding of current issues, and I use experiential education whenever appropriate, taking students out of the classroom, and encouraging study abroad. I expect the best of my students, but also have fun in class, and I believe that students and instructors need to work together as part of learning communities to learn and teach each other about issues of mutual interest."
Underhill helped establish a new program at Augsburg in peace and global studies and works with students on campus involved in political activism relating to peace and justice issues.
Publications
"Death and the Statesman: The Culture and Psychology of U.S. Foreign Policy" New York: Palgrave, 2001.
Areas of Teaching and Responsibility at Augsburg College
Introduction to World Politics
Environmental and River Politics
Law in the United States
International Relations Senior Seminar
Topics course in International Relation Courses, covering issues of war and peace, environmental, energy, political psychology and culture
International Political Economics