Greg Thorson

Political Science Department

University of Minnesota at Morris

600 East 4^th 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 104^th 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 103^rd and 104^th 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 103^rd and 104^th 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 4^th and 5^theditions. Longman.

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

Wasserman’s An Introduction to 21^st 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