“My general teaching philosophy follows C. Wright Mill’s view in ‘The Sociological Imagination,’ where he argues that social scientists should help others see how their individual lives are connected to the ‘big picture.’ So all my classes are designed to help students connect some of their own experiences with the course material. Of course this requires considerable student participation on the connections.”
Andy came to Augsburg in 1988. He started out in high school wanting to be a physicist, lawyer or musician, but his interest in public affairs led him to political science.
He said Augsburg is one of a number of good places to study political science due to its strengths, one being easy access to a wide variety of field experiences, including, but not limited to, internships. The proximity of the school to the Twin Cities means more opportunities for students.
In addition to the common areas of study, American politics, international relations, comparative politics, law and politics, and political theory, Augsburg also offers expertise in environmental politics, media and politics, and racial and ethnic politics.
“We help our students succeed primarily through close contact. Our classes are relatively small and enable us to give students very intensive help. We also tap into our political science alumni to help students find internships and other opportunities.”
Education
- B.A. University of Oregon
- M.A. University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Madison
Current research interests
His research focuses on debates over the American identity, particularly those related to issues of race and ethnicity.
Publications
His publications include Asian American Politics (Polity Press, with Okiyoshi Takeda) and Newcomers, Outsiders, and Insiders: Immigrants and American Racial Politics in the Early Twenty-First Century (University of Michigan Press, with Ronald Schmidt, Sr., Yvette Alex-Assensoh, and Rodney E. Hero), as well as a number of other works on the politics of race and ethnicity, Asian American politics, and the politics of immigration.
Areas of Teaching and Responsibility at Augsburg University
Andy specializes in racial and ethnic politics and American political thought, and teaches courses in political theory and American politics.
Website
https://web.augsburg.edu/~aoki