Dr. Jeff Johnson
B.A. Carroll College, History
B.A. Carroll College, Speech-Communication Theory
M.A. Washington State University, American History
Ph.D. Washington State University, American History

Where did you grow up and go to school? How did you come to Augustana?
My father was in the Air Force so I was always the "new kid" in school. After stints in New York, Alaska, Oklahoma, and California, I spent my junior high and high school years in Wyoming. I attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana and it was there that I realized I could do no better than teaching history at the college level for a career, so I headed to Washington State University for my graduate work. My goal was always to land at a small, church-related, liberal arts college, and when I visited Augustana during my job search, I knew it was a perfect fit.

Why did you study history? What is your area of interest or expertise?
I think I had a rather typical boyhood fascination with presidents, wars, and random facts. I have loved history since my childhood and have fond memories of my head buried in a book during long road trips with my family.

Now, as an academic, my research centers on the U.S. in the Gilded Age & Progressive Eras, during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. I am mostly interested in the intersections of politics, labor, culture, and radicalism. I have also liked the story of the "historical underdog" -- not only because their stories are always so fascinating -- but also for what they tell us about main currents in history. I specialize, not surprisingly, in U.S. radicalism and my first book is an examination of socialism's rise and fall in the Pacific Northwest from 1895 to 1925.

Why should a student major in history at Augustana?
This is a great question, and one I often get from visiting students, and especially their parents. There is a tendency to think that with a degree in history you must teach or go to graduate school. While those are both noble pursuits, I like to think of history as a truly universal major. In other words, our students and majors boast broadly applicable skills such as thinking critically, reading analytically, and writing well.

Who was your biggest influence?
Certainly my parents have always been the biggest and most supportive influences in my life -- I got lucky with the ones I have! Also, as an undergraduate and graduate student I had a cadre of wonderful professors who inspired me in a myriad of ways - both as a teacher and a scholar. I'd be remiss, too, if I forgot my dog, Baines. For years now, as I type away at the computer, he has been a rather dutiful napper and sidekick.

You recently led two (Spring '07 and January Term '08) study abroad excursions to Greece with religion and philosophy professor Dr. David O'Hara. Why is study abroad important for today's college students - and for history majors?
Those courses are fantastic. I love them because I can teach in an amazing "classroom" abroad (it is one thing for me to try explaining Periclean Athens in Sioux Falls, it is indeed another to walk on the grounds at the Acropolis or Agora), get to know students well (one of my favorite things is seeing students that I took abroad around campus after our travels), and travel with a great friend and colleague. For students (and faculty), international travel is such a full experience, as it inevitably changes the way you think about yourself and others. I recently read "travel is the only thing you buy that makes you feel richer," and I could not agree more.

Do you have a favorite class to teach at Augustana?
This is a tough one! It might sound cliché, but they are all my favorites, perhaps all for different reasons. I love teaching Western Civilization because it challenges me to synthesize vast amounts of material and at the same time keep it interesting for non-majors. I love teaching the American survey, U.S. History Since 1877 because as an Americanist my familiarity with the content allows me to continually try new things and ideas. I always enjoy teaching our Methods course for history majors, as it allows me to talk about writing history and the challenging interpretations within a discipline I am passionate about. And, of course, I love teaching upper-division courses that relate to my research, such as the "Radicals, Reformers, and Romantics" course on American Radicalism I offer alternating fall semesters.

What are some of your interests away from Augustana?
There are plenty of things I like to do to clear my head: listening to music, watching movies, traveling, exercising, playing guitar, and reading.

Which .mp3's are in your "most played" list on your iPod?
As some of my students will tell you, I am a pretty devoted Radiohead fan, and I have been able to see them in concert a number of times. Despite what some may characterize as a pretty upbeat demeanor, I seem to really like sad, mopey bands. I'm an enigma that way, I suppose. I just bought a video iPod, too, and now I love watching TV shows. I spend a lot of time on airplanes for conferences, personal travel, and courses, and it gives me time to catch up on shows like The Office and 30 Rock.

Do you use technology in the classroom?
Yes, it may be generational in some ways, but I have used technology in the classroom since I began teaching. I am careful to use little text or outlines because I think it encourages passive learning, but I love how PowerPoint can offer students images that create context. In my U.S. classes, in particular, I use film clips as "cultural artifacts."

Are there any accomplishments that you'd like to share?
I will confess that last spring was a good one for me: My book was accepted for publication by the University of Oklahoma Press and I won the James H. Bradley Fellowship at the Montana State Historical Society. Honestly, though, more gratifying than those or any other award I have received was being nominated for the Augustana Student Association's Faculty Recognition Award for teaching during my first year at the college. That was particularly special.

Do you have a favorite meal at the Commons?
I am pretty crazy about the buffalo chicken wraps. Because I have advertised this to students, I have recently started receiving phone calls in my office when the Commons is serving them - and I appreciate it immensely.

What is the best thing about being a part of the Augustana community?
This is easy: the people. One of my favorite parts of my day is walking over to the Huddle and grabbing a post-class cup of coffee. During my walk, though, comes the reward of seeing friends and colleagues, current and former students, and catching up or having a laugh.