Dr. Joel Johnson
Assistant Professor of Government and International Affairs
B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College
M.A. & Ph. D. Harvard University

Q: You're a relatively recent addition to the Department of Government and International Affairs. Where were you before coming to Augustana? Why did you choose to accept a faculty position here?
"Prior to teaching at Augustana, I received my doctorate in political philosophy from Harvard University, where I also served as a Lecturer on Government. There were several reasons behind my acceptance of the Augustana position. Perhaps foremost is the atmosphere of learning that pervades small, liberal arts colleges like Augie. I enjoy teaching in a setting where I not only know my students, but can also easily interact with professors from other disciplines. Augustana's reputation for academic excellence and my Midwestern roots made it an easy decision."

Q: What is your favorite class to teach? Why?
"My favorite class is Government 297: 'The Quest for Justice.' People tend to use words like 'just' and 'unjust,' 'good' and 'bad' all the time, but rarely examine the philosophical principles behind their judgments. In 'Quest for Justice' we read classic works of moral philosophy, from Plato's Republic to John Rawls' A Theory of Justice. Along the way, we test the validity of these theories of justice against everyday moral dilemmas. Rarely do all the students agree on any one point, which makes for lively class debates!"

Q: Tell us about your current research interest(s). Any publications forthcoming?
"My specialty is eighteenth- and nineteenth-century American political thought. I recently published an article on Anti-Federalist conceptions of representation, and a second article on the Anti-Federalists is currently under review. I'm also revising a book manuscript for publication, on the relationship between modern liberal democracy and individual development, and I'm developing articles on the political thought of Mark Twain and Nathaniel Hawthorne."

Q: I've noticed that you teach a class on politics and literature. Prospective students may be surprised to discover that the syllabus for a government class would include novels and poetry. From your perspective, what can be gained by studying literature and politics in tandem?
"Some of the best literature impinges upon timeless questions of politics, justice, and human nature. To ignore these works in a political science curriculum merely because they are, in a literal sense, 'not true,' would be narrow-minded. For example, can we truly understand the nature of totalitarianism without reading George Orwell? Can any theory of justice be adequate that doesn’t incorporate the insights of, say, Aeschylus or Nathaniel Hawthorne on the revenge motive? I doubt it."

Q: What are some of your interests outside of Augustana?
"My two sons (two and four years of age, respectively) occupy most of my time. I've found they provide more entertainment than reading, and less frustration than golf (two of my other interests). I also play the violin, and am trying my hand at home remodeling."

Q: Many prospective students are interested in the opportunities for learning that occur outside of the classroom, such as internships, study abroad, and student organizations. What kinds of special opportunities are available to government and international affairs majors in particular?
"There are plenty of opportunities. Many of our students are active in campus politics, and quite a few have worked for U.S. Senate and House campaigns. There's also the Washington Semester program, which involves taking classes and being an intern in the national capital for a semester. In addition, our department's internship coordinator can help students design their own internship."

Q: What is the best thing about being part of the Augustana community?
"It's quite common for students at large universities to pass through their undergraduate years without any professors really knowing who they are. Most face-to-face teaching is done by teaching assistants, and the professor appears only as a distant talking head in a lecture hall. That doesn't happen here. We know our students, and our students know us. We are truly a community devoted to learning."