Benjamin Gross

Associate Professor of Political Science
(256) 782-5651
bgross@jsu.edu 

Dr. Benjamin Gross is a student of the history of political philosophy. His research focuses on questions of science, technology, and happiness within modern political philosophy. In particular, he has published on Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He teaches courses in political theory, American government, research methodology, and international relations at Jacksonville State University. Dr. Gross is the Director of the Tocqueville Lecture Series, which is funded by the Jack Miller Center and Alabama Humanities Alliance. He is also the co-editor of a peer-reviewed journal - Compass: An Undergraduate Journal of American Political Ideas.

Ben Gross

Courses Taught

  • PSC 100 Introduction to American Government
  • PSC 101 Introduction to Political Science
  • PSC 102 Introduction to State and Local Government
  • PSC 232 Introduction to International Relations
  • PSC 301 Political Science Methods
  • PSC 338 International Human Rights
  • PSC 355 Contemporary Values and Ideologies
  • PSC 451 Ancient and Medieval Political Theory
  • PSC 452 Modern Political Theory
  • PSC 454 American Political Thought
  • PSC 498 Internship
  • UH 300 Comedy & Democracy
  • UH 300 Politics, the News, and You

Education

  • PhD - University of North Texas (2017)
  • MA - Northern Illinois University (2010)
  • BS - Northern Illinois University (2008)

Academic & Research Interests

Modern Political Philosophy, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, American Political Thought, International Human Rights, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Other Responsibilities

  • Director of the Tocqueville Lecture Series
  • Co-editor of Compass: An Undergraduate Journal of American Political Ideas
  • Fellow of the Academic Engagement Network
  • Fellow of the Jack Miller Center
  • Member of the General Education Subcommittee
  • Member of the Holocaust Remembrance Committee
  • Member of the JSU American Democracy Project
  • Faculty Advisor of the Tocqueville Society
  • Faculty Advisor of Pi Sigma Alpha

Publications and Presentations

Publications

2022. “Perfectibility, Disaster, and Disease: Rousseau’s Application of the Natural Goodness on Man.” in Making Sense of Disease and Disasters: Reflections of Political Theory from Antiquity to the Age of COVID, ed. Lee Trepanier. Routledge: New York.2022. “Professional Norms: Clearing a Barrier to Developing Meaningful Relationships.” in Strategies for Navigating Graduate School and Beyond, eds. Kevin Lorentz II, Daniel J. Mallinson, Julia Marin Hellwege, Davin Phoenix, and J. Cheries Strachan. American Political Science Association: Washington, DC. with Kevin M. Kearns and Evan M. Lowe.2021. “Internet Uses and Political Participation in the U.S.” The Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science. 91(2): 134-178.2021. “Rousseau, Romero, and the ‘Sentiment of Existence’: The Search for Perfectibility in Dawn of the Dead.” in Beyond the Grave: Essays on Zombies and the Romero Legacy, eds. Gloria Pastorino and Bruce Peabody. McFarland Books: Jefferson, NC.2021. “Setting the Agenda: A Simulation of Deciding Tomorrow’s Front-Page.” Journal of Political Science Education. 17(sup1): 77-92.2018. “How International is Political Science? Patterns of Submission and Publication in the APSR.” PS: Political Science & Politics 51(4): 789-798. with Marijke Breuning, Ayal Feinberg, Melissa Martinez, Ramesh Sharma, and John Ishiyama.2018. “Clearing the Pipeline? Gender and Publishing in the APSR.” PS: Political Science & Politics 51(3): 629-642. with Marijke Breuning, Ayal Feinberg, Melissa Martinez, Ramesh Sharma, and John Ishiyama.

Recent Presentations:


2023. "Emile's Three Tutors: Unraveling the Complex Character". Presented at the Annual Conference of the Midwest Political Science Association. Chicago, IL.2023. "Losing my Marbles: A Simulation of Political Ideology & R-A-S". Presented at the Annual Conference of the Midwest Political Science Association. Chicago, IL.2023. "Locke, Rousseau, and Aristotle: Civic Education and Toleration". Presented at the Annual Conference of the Midwest Political Science Association. with Kevin M. Kearns and Sebastian Graham. Chicago, IL.2023. "The Effect of Remembering: A Quantitative Study of a Holocaust Remembrance Day". Presented at the Academic Engagement Network Junior Faculty Section Conference. Dallas, TX.2023. "Locke, Rousseau, and Aristotle: Civic Education and Toleration". Presented at the Annual Conference of the Southern Political Science Association. with Kevin M. Kearns and Sebastian Graham. St. Petersburg, FL.2022. “The Everywheres & The U.S. Constitution”. Presented at Oglethorpe University’s Constitution Day. Atlanta, GA.