Associate Professor of International Relations and Political Science
Chair of the International Relations and Political Science Department
434.544.8181
richards.d@lynchburg.edu
Carnegie Hall 332
Experience
- 2007 – present, Associate Professor, Department of International Relations
and Political Science, University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va. - 2004 – 2007, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and Sociology,
Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas - 2001 – 2002, Course Instructor, School of Public Administration, American University,
Washington, D.C.
Degrees and Certifications
- PhD, School of Public Administration – American University, Washington, D.C., 2004
- Fields: Comparative Politics and American Government
- Dissertation Title: The Effect of Ethnic Diversity on Economic Growth in Post-Colonial Africa and The Caribbean; Dissertation Committee: Dr. William LeoGrande, Chair; Dr. Laura Langbein; Dr. Saul Newman
- MA, Political Science – American University, Washington, D.C., 1998
- BA, Political Science – Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, 1989
Publications
Book Chapter
2002 “Congress and Foreign Policy: The Case of Cuba,” with Christine DeGregorio, in Colton C. Campbell, Nicol C. Rae, John F. Stack, Jr., editors, Congress and the Politics of Foreign Policy, (Prentice-Hall, 2002)
Journal Articles
2007 “2007 APSA Teaching and Learning Conference Track Summaries- Track One: Teaching Research Methods” with Mitchell Brown, Auburn University, and Leland Coxe, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, PS: Political Science & Politics, Vol. 40, issue 3, 2007
Other Publications
2007 Entries on Jose Figueres , Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina, Johannes Gerhadus Strijdom, Marcelo Jose das Neves Caetano, Anibal Antonio Cavaco-Silva, Mario Soares, Felipe Gonzales Marquez, Adolfo Suarez Gonzalez, Costa Rica and Grenada in Cold War Encyclopedia, (ABC-Clio, 2007)
Works In Progress
- Journal “The Effect of Ethnic Diversity on Economic Growth in Post-Colonial Manuscript Africa and The Caribbean”
- Journal “The Political Integration of Indo-Caribbeans in Guyana, Suriname and Manuscript Trinidad and Tobago”
Presentations
- 2008 “Factors Contributing to Ratification of Treaties for Caribbean States: Do People of Indian Origin Influence the Process?” Southwest Political Science Association Annual conference , March 12, Las Vegas, Nev.
- 2008 “Latin America, A Shift to the Left” American Association of University Women Lecture Series, February 12, Lynchburg, Va.
- 2007 “Post-colonial Integration of Indo-Caribbeans in The Caribbean,” Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, April 12, Chicago, Ill.
- 2007 “Ethnic Group Integration into the Post Colonial State Nationalism: Trinidad and Nigeria,” Southwestern Political Science Association Annual Meeting, February 9, Albuquerque, N.M.
- 2006 “Are the Democrats Pulling a Pombo? DINO’s and Realignment in the Democratic Party During the 2006 Mid-term Elections,” Invited Presentation, Texas Lutheran University, November 10, Seguin, Texas
- 2005 & 2006 “Teaching American Government to College Freshmen: How Do High School AP Courses Help?” AP Government and Politics Summer Institute, Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas
- 2001 “Congress and Foreign Policy: The Case of Cuba,” Conference on Congress and Foreign Policy, Florida International University, January 14, Miami, Fla.
Honors and Awards
- 2005 Dissertation nominated by American University for the American Political Science Association Gabriel A. Almond Dissertation Award
- 2003 Jefferson Gill Fellowship, School of Public Affairs, American University
- 1999-2001 Research/Teaching Assistant Awards, Political Science, AmericanUniversity
- 1998 Distinction, Master’s Comprehensive Exam, American University
Information on Courses Taught
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Research Methods
- Middle East Politics
- Latin American Politics
- Public Opinion Polling
- Cuban-American Relations and Caribbean Politics
- Elections and Polling
- American Politics One – Introduction to American Government
