Greg Thorson

Political Science Department

University of Minnesota at Morris

600 East 4th Street

Morris, MN 56267

Phone: (320)589-6208

Fax: (320)589-6117

E-Mail: gthorson@morris.umn.edu

WWW Page: http://www.morris.umn.edu/~gthorson/

 

RESEARCH/TEACHING SPECIALITIES        

Judicial Politics, Constitutional Law, Elections, Methodology, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Public Opinion, Legislative Politics, Public Policy, Urban Politics, Media and Politics, Women and Politics, The Presidency,

FACULTY POSITIONS

                                                Tenure Track           

                                                2001 – Present           Associate Professor of Political Science        

                                                1995 - 2001                 Assistant Professor of Political Science

                                                                                    University of Minnesota at Morris

EDUCATION

            Ph.D. -            Political Science, 1995.                                                                      

University of California at Riverside.

                                    Dissertation Chair: Barbara Sinclair

                                                                        Major Areas:   American Political Institutions

                                                                                                American Political Processes

                                                                        Minor Area:     Research Methods

                                                                        Graduated Summa Cum Laude         

M.A. -             Political Science, University of California

at Riverside, 1993

                                                B.A. -              Political Science, May 1988.  Augsburg College,

Minneapolis, MN.

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

PUBLICATIONS

Thorson, Gregory R., Tasina Nitzschke, and Nicholas J. Maxwell. Forthcoming 2007.

Testing the Three Theories of Legislative Organization: An Examination of Rule Assignments during the Postreform Period.”  Congress and the Presidency.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. and Jessica Anderson. 2006. “The Minnesota Miracle Abandoned?

Changes in Minnesota School Funding, 2001-2007”. Rural Minnesota Journal.

Mankato, Minnesota: Center for Rural Policy and Development. September 2006:

27-44. 

 

Thorson, Gregory R., Neil Lindsheid, and Tara Schmidt.  2005.  “The Search for

Affordable Health Care in Rural Minnesota: Prospects and Problems for Market

Based Solutions.”  Published jointly by the Center for Small Towns and the West

Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership.  

 

Thorson, Gregory R.  2005.  Review of Sarah Binder’s “Stalemate: Causes and

            Consequences of Legislative Gridlock”.  Journal of Politics: 67:611-612.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. and Zoe Wong. 2004. “Resource Distribution and Rural Minnesota

            Schools.”  Published in Consortium Connections, a publication of the

            Children, Youth, and Family Consortium.  Volume: 13, Number 1.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. and Tara Schmidt.  “A Health Care System in Critical Condition:

            Evidence of the Declining Affordability of Health Care Insurance and the

            Erosion of Health Care Infrastructure in West Central Minnesota.”  Published

            By the Center for Small Towns, November 2003.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. and Nicholas J. Maxwell.  “Small Schools Under Siege:

Evidence of Resource Inequality in Minnesota Schools”.  Published

by the Center for Rural Policy, August 2002.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. 2002. Review of Timothy J. Barnett’s “Legislative Learning:

            The 104th Republican Freshmen in the House.”  American Political Science

Review. 96:202.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. 2001. Review of Wendy J. Schiller’s “Partners and Rivals:

            Representation in U.S. Senate Delegations.” Congress and the        

            Presidency. 28: 108-109.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. and former UMM student Tasina Nitzschke. 2000. "Politics and

 Policy in The 103rd and 104th Congresses: Evaluating the Effects of Divided

Government in The Postreform Era." Congress and the Presidency. 27: 1-24.

 

Edmondson, Jacqueline., Gregory R. Thorson, and David Fluegel. 2000. “Searching for

Solutions: The Community Vision Process in Herman, MN.” Educational

Leadership, a publication of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum

Development. 57: 51-53.

 

            Thorson, Gregory R. and Jacqueline Edmondson. 2000.  “Making Difficult Times

                        Worse: The Impact of Per Pupil Funding Formulas on Rural Minnesota

                        Schools.”  Published by the Center for Rural Policy and Development,

                        Minnesota State University, Mankato as well as by the U.S. Department

of Education’s Educational Information Resource Center (ERIC)

(http://ericir.syr.edu/).

 

 

Thorson, Gregory R. Introduction to American Government: An On-Line Reader.  

2000.  An on-line reader with accompanying notes and web site links for use in

introductory American government courses. 

 

Thorson, Gregory R. 1999. Review of Nicol C. Rae’s “Conservative Reformers: The

Republican Freshmen and the Lessons of the104th Congress”.  American

Political Science Review. 93.4: 981-982.

 

            Stambough, Stephen J. and Gregory R. Thorson. 1999. " Towards Stability in Presidential

Forecasting: The Development of a Multiple Indicator Model". The International Journal of Forecasting. 15:143-152.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. 1998.  "Divided Government and the Passage of Partisan

Legislation, 1947-1990." Political Research Quarterly. 51.3: 751-764.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. and Stephen J. Stambough. 1995. "Anti-Incumbency and the 1992

Elections: The Changing Face of Presidential Coattails."  Journal of Politics.

57. 1: 210-220.

 

BOOK ARTICLE

Valerie O’Regan, Stambough, Stephen J., and Gregory R. Thorson.  Forthcoming

In 2007.  “Understanding the Changing Dynamics of the Gender Gap in American

Presidential Elections, 1952- 2004”.  An article included in a book prospectus, The Gender Gap: Voting and the Sexes.  Edited by Lois Duke-Whitaker.  Other articles in the volume written by Cal and Janet Clark, Barbara Norrander, Susan Caroll, Elizabeth Matto, M. Margaret Conway, Kathleen Frankovic, Kathleen Dolan, Margie Omero, Anna Greenberg, Bob Carpenter, Heather Ondercin, Steven Green, and Laurel Elder.  To be Published by the University of Illinois Press in 2007.

 

OTHER PUBLISHED WORK

Thorson, Gregory R., and Codie Specketer.  Pomme de Terre Park Improvement

            Plan.  Project Completed August 2001.

 

Thorson, Gregory R., Jacquelyn Edmondson, and David Fluegel.  Strategic Plan for

the Morris Area School District.  Project Completed May 2000.

 

Thorson, Gregory R., Jacquelyn Edmondson, and David Fluegel. Strategic Plan for

The Herman-Norcross School District.  Project completed in the Spring of 1999.

 

            Thorson, Gregory R. City of Morris Comprehensive Plan. Project Completed for the

City of Morris, January 1999.

 

PAPERS IN PROGRESS

Thorson, Gregory R., and UMM students Jason Lina, and Lynnae Glieden.  "The Effects

of the Committee Assignment Reforms on Committee Composition in the U.S.

House, 1969-1980.” 

 

Thorson, Gregory R. and former UMM student Tasina Nitzschke. “The Senate Filibuster

and the Moderation of Policy Outcomes”.

 

DISSERTATION

“The Impact of Divided Government on Coalition Formation in the U.S. Congress.”

            Dissertation Adviser: Barbara Sinclair

 

RESEARCH CONFERENCES/PAPERS PRESENTED

            Thorson, Gregory R. and UMM Student Nathan Swanson. “Is the Electorate Polarized, or

Does It Just Vote that Way?: An Examination of Policy Extremism and Voting

Behavior from 1960 to 2004”  Paper to be Presented at the Annual Meeting of

The American Political Science Association in Chicago, August 2007.

           

            Stambough Stephen. J. and Gregory R. Thorson.  “E-mail and Campaign Interaction:

The Impact of Party, Office, and Candidate Type on the use of campaign e

mails.”  Paper to be Presented at the Annual Meeting of The American Political

Science Association in Chicago, August 2007.

 

Thorson, Gregory R.  “Options for Lowering Health Care Premiums for

                        Small Minnesota Rural Businesses: A White Paper”.  Presented at “Healthy

                        Connections: Healthy Landscapes, Healthy People”, a forum held by

                        the West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership in Willmar,

                        MN, November 16, 2006. 

 

Thorson, Gregory R. and Jessica Anderson.  “The Minnesota Miracle Abandoned?

Changes in Minnesota School Funding, 2001-2007”.  Presented at the Center for Rural Policy and Development’s Rural Minnesota Forum held in St. Paul on November 15, 2006.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. “The Effects of Funding Education through Fixed Per-Pupil

            Formulas: Evidence of Resource Inequality between Large and Small Schools.”

            Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science

            Association in Philadelphia, August 31-September 3, 2006.

 

Thorson, Gregory R., Valerie O’Regan, and Stephen J. Stambough.  “Understanding the

Changing Dynamics of the Gender Gap in American Presidential Elections,

1952-2004”.  Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American

Political Science Association in Washington, DC, September 1-4, 2005.

 

Thorson, Gregory R., Jacqueline Edmondson, and Nicholas J. Maxwell.

“Towards a Better Understanding of the Origins and Consequences of

Inequality in Public School Funding: Measuring the Consequences of Fixed Per

Pupil Funding Formulas on Small, Rural Schools.” Paper Presented at the

Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association in Chicago,

April 7-10, 2005.

 

Thorson, Gregory R., Layne Anderson, and Cody Specketer.

The Strategic Use of Self-Executing Rules by the House Majority Party

 Leadership, 1991-1998.” Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of the

American Political Science Association in Boston, August 2002.

 

Thorson, Gregory R. and Nicholas Maxwell J. Maxwell.  “Small Schools Under

Siege: Evidence of Resource Inequality in Minnesota Schools”.  Public Event

Held for Release of Our Paper at Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria, MN,

August 7, 2002.  Speakers Discussing the Paper Included Lieutenant

Governor Mae Schunk and Chair of the Senate P-12 Education Committee

Leroy Stumpf.

 

Served as a Discussant on a Panel of State Legislative Analysts at a Mini-conference

Held by the Minnesota Rural Education Association in Alexandria on

September 27, 2001.

 

Thorson, Gregory R., Nicholas J. Maxwell and Tasina Nitzschke.  “Strategic Decision

Making and the  Invoking of Cloture in the U.S. Senate.”  Paper Presented at the

Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association in San Francisco,

September 2001.

 

 

Thorson, Gregory R.  “Using Service Learning to Teach Public Policy:

            The Case of the Morris Ethanol Plant.”  Service Learning Workshop

            Attended at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association

            in San Francisco, September 2001.

 

Thorson, Gregory R., Tasina Nitzschke, and Nicholas J. Maxwell.  “The Rules

Committee as an Arm of the Majority Party Leadership: An Examination of Rule

Assignment in the Postreform House.”  Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of

the Midwest Political Science Association in Chicago, April 2001.

 

Edmondson, Jacquelyn and Gregory R. Thorson.  “Making Difficult Times Worse: The

Impact of Per Pupil Funding on Rural Minnesota Schools.”  Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association national conference in New Orleans, July 2000.

 

            Thorson, Gregory R. and UMM students Jason Lina and Lynnae Glieden.  Evaluating

the Effects of the Reform Period on Committee Composition in the

U.S. House.”  Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of the

American Political Science Association in Atlanta, September 1999.

           

            Thorson, Gregory R. “Majority Party Power and Legislative Success in the

                        U.S. House of Representatives.”  I chaired this panel at the Annual

                        Meeting of the American Political Science Association in Atlanta,

                        September 1999.

 

            Thorson, Gregory R. and UMM student Tasina Nitzschke. “The Senate Filibuster and the

Moderation of Policy Outcomes: Truth or Myth?” Paper Presented at the

Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting in Chicago, April 1999.

 

            Thorson, Gregory R. and UMM student Tasina Nitzschke. "The House Rules Committee:

A Test of the Three Theories of Legislative Organization." Paper

Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science

Association (Boston) in September 1998.  Discussant: Steve Smith

 

            Thorson, Gregory R. and UMM student Tasina Nitzschke. "Examining the Effects of

Divided Government: A Comparison of the 103rd and 104th Congresses."  Paper

to be Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science

Association (Chicago) in April 1998.

 

            Thorson, Gregory R. “Committee Coalitions and Special Rules in the House of

                        Representatives.”  Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of the

                        American Political Science Association (San Francisco) in September

                        1996. Other panelist: Stanley Bach, CRS

 

            Thorson, Gregory R. “United Government That Mattered: The 103rd Congress.

                        Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political

                        Science Association (Chicago) in April 1996.  Discussant: David Mayhew

 

Thorson, Gregory R. “The Effects of Divided Government on Committee Coalitions

and Rule Determination." Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American

Political Science Association (New York) in September 1994.

 

            Thorson, Gregory R. and Stephen J. Stambough. "Understanding the Gender Gap

through the Paradigm of the Michigan Model." Presented at the Annual

Meeting of the American Political Science Association (New York) in

September 1994.

 

            Thorson, Gregory R. "Does Divided Government Matter? A Reevaluation of

Mayhew's Thesis." Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political

Science Association (Chicago) in April 1994.

            Thorson, Gregory R. and Stephen J. Stambough. "The Proof is in the Pudding: The

Successes and Failures of Presidential Vote Forecasting Models." Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association Annual Meeting (Washington D.C.) in September 1993.

           

            Thorson, Gregory R. and Stephen J. Stambough. "The Case of the Vanishing

Marginals: Perot's Effect on Congressional Margins." Presented at the

Annual Meeting of the Western Political Science Association Annual Meeting

(Pasadena) in March 1993.    

 

Stambough, Stephen J. and Gregory R. Thorson. "Understanding Coattails: A

Reexamination of the Basic Theory." Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association Annual Meeting (Chicago) in September 1992.

 

OTHER RESEARCH CONFERENCES ATTENDED

            “Health Care Reform: Time for Another Minnesota Miracle?”  Hosted by the Center

            For Rural Policy and Development in Duluth, MN.  June 18, 2007.

 

            Minnesota Rural Health Conference.  “Growing Healthy Rural Communities.”  Held

            In Duluth, MN on June 19, 2007.

 

2006 Rural Summit.  “Working Better Together for the Common Good.” Held in

            Conjunction with the Symposium on Small Towns.  Held June 6-7, 2007 at the

University of Minnesota at Morris.

 

2005 Minnesota Rural Summit.  “The Great Reconnect - Bridging Rural & Urban

Resources for Community & Economic Success.  Held July 28-29, 2005 at

St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN.

 

Third Annual Symposium on Small Towns.  Served as panel discussant on

The Future of Rural Policy Panel.  June 8, 2005.  Held June 7-8, 2005 at UMM.

 

Midwest Political Science Undergraduate Research Conference.  Served as

Chair and Discussant for the Panel, “The Interaction Between Policy and

Institutions.” Held March 3-5, 2005, at UMM.

 

Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association.  Held in

            Philadelphia.  August 28-30.

 

            Rural Minnesota: A Century of Change.” First Annual Symposium on Small Towns.

            Hosted by the Center for Small Towns at the University of Minnesota at Morris.

            June 10, 2003.

 

            “Unicameral Legislature: Promise and Performance.”  Minnesota Political Science

             Association Annual Conference.  Held at St. Cloud State University on

            October 30, 1999.

 

TEACHING CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS

            “Implementing Podcasting in the Classroom.”  Web Conference Simulcast

            at the University of Minnesota at Morris campus.  Hosted by

            Michael Gay, Purdue University.

 

            "Academic Freedom/Academic Orthodoxy.”  University of Minnesota at Morris

            Fall Faculty Workshop 2002.  Held in Glenwood, Minnesota, August 19-20, 2002.

 

            “How Learning Happens: Making Connections, Constructing Knowledge, Building

            Community.”  Faculty Development Conference hosted by The Collaboration

            For the Advancement of College Teaching and Learning.  Bloomington, MN.

            November 1999.

 

            "Coming Full Circle: Using Assessment to Transform Teaching and Learning"

             Faculty Development Conference hosted by The Collaboration for the

            Advancement of College Teaching and Learning.  Bloomington, MN.  

            November 1998.

 

"Teaching and Learning in Cyberspace." Faculty Development Conference hosted by The Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching and Learning.  Bloomington, MN.  November 1998.

 

            "Student-Centered Teaching Meets Technology: Converging for a New

            Millenium". Faculty Development Conference hosted by The Collaboration for the

            Advancement of College Teaching and Learning.  Held in Bloomington, MN. 

            November 1997.  Served on a panel, "Developing the Student-Centered Internet

            Course: Issues, Obstacles, Strategies."

 

            “The Changing Student Body: Teaching for a Brave New World.”  Faculty Development

            Conference hosted by The Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching

            and Learning.  Held in Bloomington, MN.  November 1996.

 

            “Helping Your Students to Encounter and Accept Diversity.”  Workshop Presented by

            the Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching and Learning at

            Bethel College St. Paul, MN.  April 1996.

           

            “Creating an Active Learning Classroom.”  Led by Thomas B. Jones, coauthor of Promoting Active Learning: Strategies for the College Classroom.  University of Minnesota at Morris.  April, 1996.

 

 

 

TEACHING AWARDS/NOMINATIONS:

            Nominated for Morris Alumni Association Teaching Award, Spring 2006,

            Spring 2002.

 

OTHER WORKSHOPS ATTENDED

Fall Faculty Retreats: 1995 – Current

 

Course in the Protection of Human Research Subjects (CITI).  Completed online

            In October 2006.

 

University of Minnesota Sponsored Project Management Model and International

Opportunities Workshops.  Held April 27, 1999 in the UMM Student Center.

 

            University of Minnesota Responsible Conduct in Research Part II Seminar. 

Held March 9, 2000 in Edson Auditorium.

 

            University of Minnesota Responsible Conduct in Research Part I Seminar.

                        Held October 19, 2000 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center.

 

GRANTS WRITING/ GRANTS RECEIVED

OTTO BREMER FOUNDATION GRANT

            Period: 2006-07

            Description: I authored a $44,000 grant from the Otto Bremer grant that was funded

            in October 2006 for the purpose of supporting the formation of a Health Care Purchasing

            Alliance in our 12 county area.

 

SERVICE LEARNING FACULTY FELLOWSHIP

            Period: 2006-2008

Description: Received grant award and attended three weeks of service learning training during the summer of 2006.  I committed to three years of service learning projects.

 

          Faculty Enrichment Project

            Project Title:  Bush Foundation Faculty Development grant

            Source: Bush Foundation

            Award Period: September 1996-June 1997

            Description:   The program pairs a probationary faculty with a tenured faculty so that

                                    issues that are chosen by the mentee can be explored during frequent discussions.  In addition, the Bush Foundation subsidized the attendance of both mentor and mentee to attend a Bush workshop.

 

          Educational Development Grant

            Project Title: Establishing Cyber-Sections in the American Government and

                                    Politics Class

            Source: Curriculum Committee, University of Minnesota at Morris

            Award Period: Summer 1996

            Description:  Converted my traditional discussion section into a “cyber-section,”

                                    where students went on “cyber field-trips,” engaged in “cyber

                                    chat sessions”, and completed their weekly assignments via email.

 

Faculty Grant to Internationalize Courses at UMM

            Project Title: Internationalizing the Study of Legislative Behavior: Moving Beyond the

                                    U.S. Congress

            Source: Center for International Programs

            Award Period: Summer 1996

            Description:  Revised my legislative behavior class so as to incorporate a more                                                      comparative politics perspective.  Previously, I covered major theories of

                                    coalition building and institutional structure as predictors of legislative

                                    outcomes in only the United States Congress.  I expanded the scope to

                                    include non-American legislatures. 

 

BUSH FOUNDATION GRANT –

            Period: 2005-2006

            Proposal for Bush Course Development Grant

            Description: With the assistance of this Bush Course Development Grant, I will

            implement student response systems, or “clickers”, into my classes so that I may

            more accurately assess student learning of the material as well as offer rewards to

            students who come to class prepared.

 

BUSH FOUNDATION GRANT –

            Period: 2004-2005

            Recipient of Bush Course Development Grant, Participant in Bush IT Core Group,

            Bush IT Consulting Group

            Description: With the assistance of this Bush Course Development Grant, I successfully

            integrated a course Wiki into my Constitutional Law class.  Students collaboratively

            write course briefs that are reviewed and evaluated in class.

 

CROSSROADS SERVICE LEARNING MINIGRANT

            Project Title: Assessment of City Services

            Period: Spring 2003

            Description:   My American Government class is working with the City of

                                    Morris to assess resident satisfaction in many areas of public

                                    policy.  The survey was designed jointly by the class, the Morris

                                    City Council, and the Morris Police Department.

 

CROSSROADS SERVICE LEARNING MINIGRANT

            Project Title: Examining Responses of Citizens toward the Morris Ethanol Plant

            Source: Funding provided by the Corporation for National Service through a

Learn and Serve America Higher Education Grant Coordinated by the

UMM Faculty Center for Learning and Teaching.

            Award Period: Summer 2001

            Description: To teach my class about local politics through a service learning project,

I had my class conduct a telephone survey that measured resident

attitudes to the presence of the ethanol plant in their community.  Our

class also interviewed local political leaders, as well as leaders at the

ethanol plant (Denco) and the recently formed citizen group

Morris Residents for Clean Air.  Students also investigated the history

and the economic impact of the ethanol plant in Morris.  All results were

made public and published on the web and in the local library.

 

            JSTOR Course Development Grant

          Project Title: Integrating JSTOR Content into the College Curriculum

            Source: JSTOR

            Award Period: Summer 2000

            Description: Improved existing courses so as to integrate the use of top political science

                                    journals that are stored electronically in JSTOR in order that students

would become more familiar with the extensive search functions found within JSTOR as well as become more familiar with current research published in top political science journals.

           

          NTNT Development Grant

            Project Title: New Teachers New Technology Grant

            Source: U.S. Department of Education

            Award Period: Summer 2000

            Description: Participated in a series of workshops that focused on the implementation

                                    of new technologies into the classroom, particularly geographic

                                    information systems (GIS) software and advanced web page

                                    development software (Dreamweaver).

 

          Center for Rural Policy and Development Small Grant II

      Project Title: The Effects of Minnesota's Per Pupil Funding Formula on the Quality of

Education in Rural Minnesota

            Source: Center for Rural Policy and Development, Minnesota State University, Mankato

            Award Period: Summer 2000

            Description:  This project empirically demonstrates that the current per pupil formulas

                                    used to fund K-12 schools in Minnesota produce severe disadvantages for

                                    small rural schools in the areas of infrastructure, telecommunications,

                                    and programming.

 

          Center for Rural Policy and Development Small Grant I

            Project Title: Making Difficult Times Worse: The Impact of Per Pupil Funding

                                    Formulas on Rural Minnesota Schools

            Source: Center for Rural Policy and Development, Minnesota State University, Mankato

            Award Period: Summer 1999

            Description:  This project empirically demonstrates that the current per pupil formulas

                                    used to fund K-12 schools in Minnesota produce severe revenue

                                    disparities that disadvantage small rural schools.

 

          Educational Development Grant

            Project Title: Establishing an Upper Division Research Methods Course

                                    in Political Science

            Source: Curriculum Committee, University of Minnesota at Morris

            Award Period: Summer 1999

            Description:  Introduced a new upper division course in methodology designed

                                    to familiarize students with the most common methodological

                                    techniques used in political science.

                                     

          University of Minnesota Single Semester Leave

            Project Title: Explaining the Assignment of Special Rules in the Postreform House

            Source: Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Minnesota

            Award Period: Fall Semester 1999

            Description:   Examined patters of rule assignment in the U.S. House.  Tested the

                                    claims of competing models of congressional organization.

 

          University of Minnesota Faculty Summer Research Fellowship

            Project Title: The Effect of Divided Government on Coalition

                                                Building in the U.S. Congress

            Source:  Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Minnesota

            Award Period: Summer 1997

            Description:   Summer stipend to support ongoing research on the

                                    effect that divided government has on the formation of

                                    partisan coalitions in the United States Congress.

 

          University of Minnesota Grant-in-Aid  of Research Program

            Project Title: Protecting Partisan Legislation: The Use of Restrictive Rules

            Source: Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Minnesota

            Award Period: July 1996-December 1997

            Description:   Supported research that examined the tendency of the House Rules

                                    Committee to adopt special rules that were more restrictive

                                    on legislation that passed out of committee with a partisan vote.

 

          Faculty Enrichment Project

            Project Title:  Bush Foundation Faculty Development grant

            Source: Bush Foundation

            Award Period: September 1996-June 1997

            Description:   The program pairs a probationary faculty with a tenured faculty so that

                                    issues that are chosen by the mentee can be explored during frequent discussions.  In addition, the Bush Foundation subsidized the attendance of both mentor and mentee to attend a Bush workshop.

 

          Educational Development Grant

            Project Title: Establishing Cyber-Sections in the American Government and

                                    Politics Class

            Source: Curriculum Committee, University of Minnesota at Morris

            Award Period: Summer 1996

            Description:  Converted my traditional discussion section into a “cyber-section,”

                                    where students went on “cyber field-trips,” engaged in “cyber

                                    chat sessions”, and completed their weekly assignments via email.

 

Faculty Grant to Internationalize Courses at UMM

            Project Title: Internationalizing the Study of Legislative Behavior: Moving Beyond the

                                    U.S. Congress

            Source: Center for International Programs

            Award Period: Summer 1996

            Description:  Revised my legislative behavior class so as to incorporate a more                                                      comparative politics perspective.  Previously, I covered major theories of

                                    coalition building and institutional structure as predictors of legislative

                                    outcomes in only the United States Congress.  I expanded the scope to

                                    include non-American legislatures. 

 

OTHER RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

            Research Assistant, January 1994-December 1994

            Project:  Worked as a research assistant on a $125,000 Hayes Foundation Grant

            evaluating the effectiveness of incentives offered to businesses by local governments.

 

RESEARCH ACTIVITY THAT BENEFITTED THE LARGER COMMUNITY

            COPC Housing Survey – Working with the COPC grant to develop and implement

                        a survey that measures the hardships experienced by the rural homeless.

 

West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership – Currently working

                        to assist the region in developing a Health Care Purchasing Alliance (HCPA)

 

Morris Area School District Strategic Planning – With UMM students Ashley

Boucher and Katie Fitzgerald.  Worked with the Morris Area School District

to develop a strategic plan.

 

Lac Qui Parle Family Services – With UMM student Mollie Poehlman.  Conducted a

survey of families with Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) in Lac Qui Parle

and surrounding communities as part of a planning grant for Lac Qui Parle Family

Services.  The survey examined the needs of families with SED children to

facilitate more effective program delivery.

 

Herman-Norcross (H-N) School District Strategic Planning – With UMM students

Mandi Powell and Christie DeLong.  Worked with the H-N School District to

develop a strategic plan for their school district.

 

            Quality of Life in Morris Survey - With UMM student Bob Wottreng. 

Bob Wottreng's Honors Project used my Political Analysis course to administer a

survey to 400 residents of the city of Morris.  Results were presented to the Morris City Council.

 

            Morris Comprehensive Plan – With UMM students Ben Wallner and Tasina Nitzschke

                        Worked through the Center for Small Towns with to complete the city’s

                        Comprehensive Plan.  The Comprehensive Plan lays out a strategy of

                        growth for the city for the next 10 years.

           

Welfare Recipient Needs Survey – With UMM students Tasina Nitzschke and Bill

                        Fletcher.  Worked with the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council.

                        Summer 1997.  We administered two surveys.  The

                        first survey evaluated welfare recipients' needs, including wages,

                        employment, and child care, as they prepare to search for work

                        as required under the new welfare work requirements.  The second survey

                        was administered to businesses in the same six county area.  This survey

                        measured businesses' interest in hiring welfare recipients, types of jobs

                        available, wages, etc.  The results were used by the Southwest Minnesota

                        Private Industry Council to apply for a McKnight grant.

 

OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE

            2006 Rural Summit -- Moderated a Panel of Legislators at the Rural Summit.

Conference Theme: “Working Better Together for the Common Good.” Held in

                        Conjunction with the Symposium on Small Towns.  Held June 6-7, 2007 at the

University of Minnesota at Morris.

           

            Morris Area High School Senior Career Mentorship Program – Worked with Morris

                        Area High School students to help them better understand careers in politics. 

                        Included job shadowing and personal discussions.  Fall 2001.

 

            Morris Leadership – Offered two hour seminar to members of the Morris Leadership

                        program on community assessment, Offered both in 1999 and 2001.  Sponsored

                        by the Morris Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY     

            Education Bill – Delivered Testimony to the Senate E-12 Education Finance Committee on  SF101, a bill that would increase funding for small rural schools.  The bill is derived from a paper published by former UMM student Nick Maxwell for the Center for Rural Policy and Development.  Testimony delivered on February 5, 2003.

 

            Unicameral Proposal – Delivered testimony to a Joint Session of the House                    

Governmental Operations & Veterans Affairs Policy Committee and Senate Election Laws Committee on HF159, a bill to establish a unicameral legislature in the state of Minnesota.  Televised statewide.  Testimony delivered on February 7th, 2000.

 

            Education Bill – Delivered testimony to the House K-12 Education Finance Committee on HF3831, a bill that would establish and appropriate a new budget category called small school revenue.  This bill is derived from the paper that I wrote with Jackie Edmondson for the Center for Rural Policy and Development in November 1999.  Testimony delivered on February 8, 2000.

 

REVIEW ACTIVITY

            Anonymous Reviewer:

            Journals:

            American Political Science Review

            Journal of Politics

            American Journal of Political Science

            Political Research Quarterly

            Legislative Studies Quarterly

            Texts:

            Edwards, George, Martin Wattenberg, and Robert Lineberry’s Government in America:

                        People, Politics, and Policy(Brief 4th and 5theditions. Longman.

            Is This Any Way to Run A Democratic Election? Houghton Mifflin.

            Wasserman’s An Introduction to 21st Century Politics: The Image  of Governing

            Wilson, James Q. American Politics.  Houghton Mifflin.

           

EDUCATIONAL HONORS AND AWARDS

                        Graduate Honors and Awards

                        Political Science Departmental Fellowship, University of

                                    California at Riverside, 1994-1995.

                        Regent's Fellowship, University of California at Riverside,

                                    1992-1993.

                        Dean's Fellowship, University of California at Riverside,

                                    1991-1992.

                        Certificate of Graduate Training in College Teaching, 1991.

                        Undergraduate Honors and Awards

                        Presidential Scholarship, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, 1984-1988.

                        Honors Club Member, 1984-1988.

                        Political Science Departmental Scholarship, 1986-1988.

                        Mortensen Chemistry Scholarship, 1985.

                        Princeton Medical Clinic Scholarship, 1984.

                        Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1988.

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

                        University of Minnesota, Morris Courses Taught

                                                            Introduction to American Politics

                                                            Political Analysis

                                                            Legislative Process

                                                            The American Presidency

                                                            Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties

                                                            Constitutional Law: Governmental Contraints

                                                            Judicial Politics

                                                            Senior Seminar in American Politics

 

                        University of California, Riverside Courses Taught

                                                            The Presidency

 

                        Curricular Innovations: 

                                                I proposed that my POL 1300 course fulfill the Computing

                                                course requirements (passed by assembly).     I was heavily involved in the development of the Political Science curriculum for the semester system.

                       

                        My web course was featured on a CD produced by the University of Minnesota entitled “Distributed Education Exemplar Projects”.

                                               

                        Special Teaching Methods Implemented:

                                                With the assistance of my discipline colleagues, I developed

                                                a senior seminar component for the political science

                                                curriculum.  The senior seminar requires all students

                                                who graduate with a political science major to complete

                                                a major research project.                                            

 

                                                I have integrated significant amounts of journal material

                                                available through J-STOR into both my Judicial Politics

                                                and American Presidency classes.

                                               

                                                I have developed a survey component into my American

                                                government class each Spring. For example, during the 2001

                                                spring administration, we surveyed Morris residents about their

                                                views of the local ethanol plant.  During the spring of 2002,

                                                we worked with the City of Morris and the Morris Police

                                                Department to conduct a survey aimed at assessing the

                                                satisfaction of Morris residents about a host of local

                                                government services.

 

                                                I have taught semester sections of my Introduction to American

                                                Government class exclusively over the World Wide Web since

1996.    The Course features streaming video lectures with

podcasting and vodcasting options, an interactive discussion

                                                board, and office hours in a real-time chat room.

                                               

                                                In a recent section of the my Political Analysis class, we

                                                conducted a quality of life survey for the city of Morris.  The

                                                administration of the survey was sponsored by Campus Compact

                                                and was conducted as the Honors Project for UMM senior Bob

                                                Wottreng.   In recent sections of Political Analysis, I introduced

                                                students to National Election Studies data to exemplify how data

                                                can be used to help resolve disputes between competing

                                                theories of political behavior.  I also teach students how to use software designed for statistical analysis and examine data provided by the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR).

                       

                                                In both my Legislative Process and Judicial Politics courses, I

                                                spend time during each class period examining

                                                current legislative and judicial events with the goal of  integrating real-world activity and the more theoretical class material.                                 

                                                In Constitutional Law, I teach the course by asking

                                                students an increasingly difficult set of questions about the

                                                cases that they are reading.  Students are encouraged to

                                                not only encapsulate what they have read, but also to evaluate

                                                the arguments made by the justices and/or their classmates.

 

                                                In each of my classes, I work with the staff of Briggs Library

                                                to coordinate the training of students on how to access relevant course materials found in the library.  I dedicate one class session per class to this objective.

 

OTHER TEACHING RELATED EXPERIENCE

                        Service Learning Faculty Fellow, 2006-2008

Received grant award and attended three weeks of service learning training during the summer of 2006. 

                        Master Teaching Assistant, 1992-1993

                                    Was selected from campus wide pool to teach new teaching assistants various teaching techniques. My duties included introduced new teaching assistants to their various roles and responsibilities, as well as consulting each new teaching assistant through the medium of videotape.

 

                        Teaching Assistant, Fall 1991 - Spring 1995

                                   Courses:           Intro to American Politics

                                                            Presidential Elections

                                                            Comparative Politics

                                                            Politics and Economic Policy

                                                            Judicial Politics

 

DIRECTED STUDIES, INTERNSHIPS, AND ADVISING

                        Directed Studies at the University of Minnesota at Morris

                                    Tom Preston – Education Policy: No Child Left Behind

                                    Ben Edwards – The Supreme Court and Eminent Domain

                                    Katie Haberkorn – Early Political Socialization

                                    Justin Schiks – Constitutional Law During Times of War

                                    Neil Linscheid – Health Care Economics

                                    Cody Specketer – Community Sharing of Essential Services

                                    Juliette Liesinger – Legal Argument and Legal Writing

                                    Andy Uttke – Legal Argument and Legal Writing

                                    Philip Drown – Assessing the Impact of Presidential Character on

                                                                        Presidential Performance

                                    Kelly Loidolt – Understanding the Effects of Media on Political Events

                                    Lisa Michelle Kliber – Sources of Discretion in the Judicial Process

                                    Jason Lina - Civil Courts in America: Process and Procedure

                                    Ben Wallner - Constitutional Law: Institutional Powers and Constraints

                                    Tasina Nitzschke - The Historical and Political Context

                                                of Supreme Court Decision-Making in the Area of

                                                Native American Law

                                    Bob Wottreng - Constituency Attentiveness of        

                                                            Members of the State Legislature

                                    Leondra Slaughter - Family Law: Principles and Practices

                                    Scott Berry – Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

                                    Devon Leppink - The Predictive Power of the Personal

                                    Attribute Model in Supreme Court Decision Making

                                    Rebecca Barnes - Interest Groups: Theory and Practice

                                    Stephanie Pehrson  - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

                                    Erika Koreen - The Changing Face of American Presidential Elections

                                    Melissa Mathews - The Role of Interest Groups in American Politics

                                    Dennis Berry - Affirmative Action: It’s History, Constitutionality,

                                                                        and Implementation

                                    Chris Heine - The Relationship Between Partisanship and Single Issue

                                                            Voting in American Presidential Elections

                                    Richard Pederson - Origins of Supreme Court Power

                                    Sarah Parsons - Campaign Management in Local Government

                                                                Elections

                        Internships Directed at the University of Minnesota, Morris

                                    Jennifer Wellan – Internship with Judge Jerry Siebel

                                    Justin Schiks – Internship with Steven County Assistant

                                    Attorney Bruce Klopfleisch

                                    Catherine Brown – Internship with Steven County Attorney

                                    Charlie Glasrud

                                    Catherine Brown – Internship with Stevens County Assistant

                                    Attorney Bruce Klopfleisch

                                    Amy Uhlenkamp – Howard Dean for President – Iowa

                                    Campaign

                                    Sarah Poppe – Assistant County Attorney (Stevens County)

                                    Jacqueline Windschlitt – Michigan Governor’s Race

                                    Patrick – Assistant County Attorney (Stevens County)

                                    Kalli Ostlie – Assistant County Attorney (Stevens County)

                                    Lisa Michelle Kliber – State District Judge (Little Falls)

                                    Julie Brotzler - Assistant County Attorney (Stevens County)

                                    Viet Pham - Morris City Attorney's Office

                                    Leondra Slaughter - Legal Aid

                                    Tahra Vose - American Embassy in Eritrea, Africa

                                    Jason Kohler - Senator Rod Gram’s Washington Office

                                    Laura Churack -   Minnesota State House of Representatives          

                                    Jennifer Thulien -  Minnesota State Senate

                                    Melissa Matthews - Minnesota State Senate

                                    Brian Hansen - Law Firm of Hessian, McKasy and Soderburg

                                    Advisees (1998-1999): 17

           

OTHER RELEVANT RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

                                    Congressional Staff Worker

                                    Congressman Martin Sabo, 1987.

                                    Worked in Constituency Relations.  Wrote letter, attended town meetings with the Congressman, prepared daily news summaries.  Wrote extensive computer training manual introducing the office's new computer system.

 

                                    Campaign Worker

                                    Fall 1990.

                                    Worked extensively on successful campaign for Paul

                                    Wellstone to the United States Senate.  Major duties included campaign organization and mobilization.

 

                                    Minneapolis Community Action Agency

                                    Research Assistant, 1986.

                                    Co-authored a 400+ page document outlining coordination efforts among the city's social programs.

 

UMM/COMMUNITY SERVICE

                                    Pre-Law Advisor (1997 – Present)

 

                                    Mock Trial Coach/Faculty Adviser (1996-Present)

 

                                    Campus Assembly Parliamentarian –

                                    Elected: 2006-Present

                                    Temporary: Winter 1999                 

 

                                    Constitutional Advisor - Drafted constitutional revisions with

                                    Mary Elizabeth Bezanson that were necessitated by the conversion

                                    to semesters.

 

                                    Political Science Representative at the Faculty Fair (MEA Weekend)

                                    (1997-99)

 

                                    Political Science Discipline Coordinator - (January 1997 – 2001)

 

                                    University of Minnesota Law School Pre-Law Admissions Program -

                                    Held November 20, 1997 at the University of Minnesota Law School.

                                    Networked with the admissions staff in order to strengthen my influence

                                    as a pre-law adviser at UMM.

                                   

                                    Presentation to the Kiwanis Club (April 14, 1997) - Mock Trial

 

                                    ICPSR Official Representative (1996-Present):

                                    Wrote the proposal for the admission of the University of Minnesota at Morris into the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR); Served as the Official Representative to the ICPSR.

 

                                    Service to Minority Students:

                                    Minority Membership Program – Angela Colombage

                                    Minority Mentorship Program – Monica Claybourne

                                    Minority Mentorship Program - Viet Pham

                                    Minority Mentorship Program - Tinisha Davis

                                    Minority Student Program Tutor

 

                                    Committee Work:

                                    Chair, Research Review Committee for Chris Lee

                                    Chair, Faculty Development Committee

                                    (Fall 2003 – Spring 2005)

                                    Faculty Development Committee

                                    (Fall 2002-2005)

                                    Social Science Renovation Committee

                                    (2003-2004)

                                    Minority Experience Committee

                                    (2000-2001)

                                    Academic Support Services Committee

                                    (1996-1999)

                                    International Relations Search Committee

                                    (Fall and Winter Quarters 1996-97)

                                    American Politics Search Committee

                                    (Fall and Winter Quarters 1995-96)

                                    Social Science Computer Purchase Committee (Fall 1995-Winter 1996)

                                    Instructional Technology Discussion Group (Winter 1995)

 

                                    TELEVISION EXPOSURE:

                                    KSAX Election Night Coverage – 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 (8pm to Midnight Panelist)

 

                                    RADIO EXPOSURE:

                                    Frequently interviewed by Dave Lee (WCCO), Eric Eskola (WCCO)

 

                                    MPIRG Panelist:

                                    Earth Friendly/Build Your Own Sundae Panel Discussion; April 1996

 

                                    LSAT Preparation Course:

                                    Fall 1996, Fall 1997,

 

                                    MAP Students –

                                                Jacob Anderson – 2005-2006

                                                Bryan Fisher – 2004-2005

                                                Layne Anderson – 2002-2003

                                                Patricia Welte – 2001-2002

                                                Nick Maxwell – 2000-2001

                                                Lynnae Glieden – 1999-2000

                                                Brenda Ramphal - 1998-99

                                                Tasina Nitzschke - 1997-98

                                               

                                   

MAI Students -

                                                Shelly Backman - 1996-97

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

 

                                    American Political Science Association

                                    Midwest Political Science Association

                                    Southern Political Science Association

                                    Legislative Section of the APSA


Recent Statewide Media Appearances

(Greg Thorson)

 

Date

Media

5/16/2007

Dave Lee Show on WCCO Radio (Guest Host: Tim Russell)

4/16/2007

St. Paul Pioneer Press article about Contacting Your Member of Congress

2/15/2007

Dave Lee Show on WCCO Radio

1/17/2007

Forum Communications

1/10/2007

Dave Lee Show on WCCO Radio

12/15/2006

Best of Al Franken Show on Air America with Lou Dobbs, Henry Waxman, and John Edwards

11/8/2006

Cities 97 Radio

11/7/2007

KXRA Radio (3 Hours of Coverage)

11/7/2006

Dave Lee Show on WCCO

11/5/2006

WCCO Radio News

11/4/2006

Minneapolis Star Tribune Newspaper

11/1/2006

KXRA Radio (90 Minute Interview)

10/19/2006

Dave Lee Show on WCCO

10/14/2006

WCCO Radio News

10/6/2006

Al Franken Show on Air America (30 Minute Interview)

10/4/2006

Wall Street Journal with Jean Cummings

9/20/2006

Dave Lee Show on WCCO

 

Top Radio Stations in Minnesota (Arbitron Ratings)

Station 

  Format 

 FA06 

WCCO-AM

News Talk Information

8.2

KQRS-FM

Classic Rock

7.2

KEEY-FM

Country

6.9

WLTE-FM

Soft Adult Contemporary

6.1

KDWB-FM

Pop Contemporary Hit Radio

4.6

KQQL-FM

Oldies

4.5

KSTP-FM

Hot Adult Contemporary

4.5

KXXR-FM

Active Rock

4.1

KTCZ-FM

Album Adult Alternative

3.9

KFAN-AM

All Sports

3.2

KSTP-AM

Talk/Personality

3.2

KZJK-FM

Adult Hits

3.2

KTTB-FM

Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio

3.1

KTLK-FM

News Talk Information

1.9

KTNF-AM

Talk/Personality

1.7


REFERENCES

 

                                    Professor Barbara Sinclair

                                    Professor, Department of Political Science

                                    University of California, Los Angeles

                                    4289 Bunche Hall

                                    Box 951472

                                    Los Angeles, CA 90095-1472


                                    (310) 267-2027

                                    Email: sinclair@polisci.ucla.edu

                                   

                                    Professor Max Neiman

                                    Program Director, Governance and Public Finance

                                    Senior Fellow

                                    Public Policy Institute of California

                                    500 Washington Street

                                    Suite 800

                                    San Francisco, California 94111

                                    (415) 291-4441

                                    Email: neiman@ppic.org

 

                                    Professor Jooinn Lee

                                    Social Science Division

                                    University of Minnesota at Morris

                                    600 East 4th Street

                                    Morris, MN 56267

                                    (320) 589-6200

                                    Email: leejj@morris.umn.edu

 

                                    Professor Paula O’Loughlin

                                    Social Science Division

                                    University of Minnesota at Morris

                                    600 East 4th Street

                                    Morris, MN 56267

                                    (320) 589-6200

                                    Email: oloughpl@morris.umn.edu