Faculty Profile

Rafael Major

Title
Principal Lecturer
Department
Honors College
College
University of North Texas

    

Education

PhD, University of North Texas, 2002.
Major: "Wisdom and the Law: Political Thought in Shakespeare's Comedies"
MA, University of Dallas, 1994.
Major: Political Philosophy
BA, University of Dallas, 1990.
Major: Philosophy

Current Scheduled Teaching*

No current or future courses scheduled.

* Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.

Previous Scheduled Teaching*

PSCI 2316.001, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.002, The Good Society, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.001, US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3700.888, Area Politics, Summer 5W2 2023 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 4000.888, Honors Capstone Seminar : Global Perspectives, Summer 5W2 2023 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2315.001, Honors US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.002, The Good Society, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2305.004, US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.001, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.003, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2022 SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.001, US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3700.888, Area Politics, Summer 8W2 2022 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 4000.888, Honors Capstone Seminar : Global Perspectives, Summer 8W2 2022 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2315.001, Honors US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1500.002, Introduction to Research : An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2305.010, US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.002, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.004, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.002, The Good Society, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.003, US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.006, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.007, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2315.001, Honors US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2315.003, Honors US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2315.004, Honors US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.002, The Good Society, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2305.009, US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2305.013, US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2305.014, US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.002, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.005, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.006, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.002, The Good Society, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.003, The Good Society, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.004, The Good Society, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.003, US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.002, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.002, The Good Society, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.003, The Good Society, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.003, US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 4000.601, Honors Capstone Seminar : Global Perspectives, Summer 3W1 2019 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 4000.001, Honors Capstone Seminar : Global Perspectives, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2315.001, Honors US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2305.010, US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.002, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.002, The Good Society, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.003, The Good Society, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.001, US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 4000.001, Honors Capstone Seminar : Global Perspectives, Summer 5W1 2018
HNRS 4000.001, Honors Capstone Seminar : Global Perspectives, Spring 2018 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 3996.703, Honors College Mentored Research Experience, Spring 2018
PSCI 2315.001, Honors US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2018 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Spring 2018 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2305.010, US Political Behavior and Policy, Spring 2018 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2316.002, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2017 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.002, The Good Society, Fall 2017 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.003, The Good Society, Fall 2017 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.001, US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, Fall 2017 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 4000.001, Honors Capstone Seminar : Global Perspectives, Summer 5W1 2017 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 1040.004, American Government: Laws and Institutions, Spring 2017 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 1041.002, Honors American Government, Spring 2017 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Spring 2017 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 1040.001, American Government: Laws and Institutions, Fall 2016 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 1051.001, Honors American Government, Fall 2016 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.002, The Good Society, Fall 2016 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.003, The Good Society, Fall 2016 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 1040.004, American Government: Laws and Institutions, Spring 2016 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 1041.002, Honors American Government, Spring 2016 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1500.002, Introduction to Research : An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Spring 2016 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Spring 2016 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 1040.014, American Government: Laws and Institutions, Fall 2015 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 1041.001, Honors American Government, Fall 2015 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Fall 2015 Syllabus SPOT
HNRS 1100.003, The Good Society, Fall 2015 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 1050.006, American Government: Process and Policies, Spring 2015 Syllabus
PSCI 1051.001, Honors American Government, Spring 2015 Syllabus
HNRS 1500.002, Introduction to Research : An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Spring 2015 Syllabus
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Spring 2015 Syllabus
PSCI 1040.002, American Government: Laws and Institutions, Fall 2014 Syllabus
PSCI 1040.864, American Government: Laws and Institutions, Fall 2014 Syllabus
PSCI 1041.001, Honors American Government, Fall 2014 Syllabus
HNRS 1500.001, Introduction to Research : An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Fall 2014 Syllabus
HNRS 1100.003, The Good Society, Fall 2014 Syllabus
HNRS 4000.001, Honors Capstone Seminar : Global Perspectives, Summer 5W1 2014 Syllabus
PSCI 1040.008, American Government: Laws and Institutions, Spring 2014 Syllabus
PSCI 1041.001, Honors American Government, Spring 2014 Syllabus
HNRS 1500.002, Introduction to Research : An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Spring 2014 Syllabus
HNRS 1100.001, The Good Society, Spring 2014 Syllabus
PSCI 1050.009, American Government: Process and Policies, Fall 2013 Syllabus
PSCI 1041.002, Honors American Government, Fall 2013 Syllabus
HNRS 1500.001, Introduction to Research : An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Fall 2013 Syllabus
HNRS 1500.002, Introduction to Research : An Interdisciplinary Perspective, Fall 2013 Syllabus

* Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.

Published Publications

Published Intellectual Contributions

Book
Major, R. M. (2013). Leo Strauss's Defense of the Philosophic Life: Reading "What is Political Philosophy?". Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. http://www.amazon.com/Leo-Strausss-Defense-Philosophic-Life/dp/0226924211/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417724347&sr=1-1
Book Chapter
Major, R. M. (2014). "What is Political Philosophy?: and Other Studies": Introduction to Japanese Translation. http://www.academia.edu/5897456/Japanese_Introduction_to_What_Is_Political_Philosophy_and_Other_Studies_
Major, R. M. (2013). Shakespeare's Venice and the Dawn of Secularism. 31-42. Lexington Books. http://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Secularism-Essays-Mobilization-Reason/dp/0739177478/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417724347&sr=1-2
Book Review
Major, R. M. (2018). Slouching Toward Bethlehem. XVIII(2), 79-80.
Major, R. M. (2016). It Was a Very Good Year. XVI(3), 70-71.
Major, R. M. (2016). Review of "Leo Strauss on the Borders of Judaism, Philosophy, And History". 69(3), 617-618.
Major, R. M. (2015). Recovering Shakespeare's Political Wisdom. Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy. 41(3), . https://www.academia.edu/13846805/Recovering_Shakespeares_Wisdom
Major, R. M. (2015). Review of "Leo Strauss and the Problem of Political Philosophy" by Catherine and Michael Zuckert. Choice. http://choiceconnect.org/webclipping/186772/yp_e49yy179cwg1ggw261juuqli-mix_xweos3bhx-jie0olue
Major, R. M. (2015). Review of "Machiavelli's Art of Politics". Choice. http://www.ala.org/acrl/choice/home
Major, R. M. (2015). Review of Machiavelli Goes to the Movies. Choice. http://www.ala.org/acrl/choice/home
Major, R. M. (2014). Review of Maurizio Viroli's "Redeeming 'The Prince'" (Princeton University Press). Choice. 51(12), . http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA377665328&v=2.1&u=txshracd2679&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w&asid=65bbc911af89fa60b3d719b3aa4d89ab
Major, R. M. (2014). Review of Waller Newell's "Tyranny: A New Interpretation" (Cambridge University Press) April 2014, Vol. 51, No. 8.. Choice. 51(8), . http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA363515881&v=2.1&u=txshracd2679&it=r&p=LitRC&sw=w&asid=46e3657f6d4ddf9827b70a1fdf388fc7
Major, R. M. (2012). "A Free Soul," a Review of Shakespeare's Freedom by Stephen Greenblatt in Claremont Review of Books. (Spring 2012, Vol. XII, No. 2) pp. 73-4.. XII(2), 73-4.
Major, R. M. (2010). Review of Cynics, by William Desmond in Review of Politics (Vol. 72, No. 2: pgs. 376-378, 2010).. Review of Politics. 72(2), .
Major, R. M. (2008). "Tanguay's Birds-Eye View," Featured Review Essay of Leo Strauss: An Intellectual Biography by Daniel Tanguay in Perspectives on Political Science (Volume 37, No. 2: pgs. 109-111, 2008).. Perspectives on Political Science. 37(2), 109-111.
Major, R. M. (2005). Review of The Statesman's Science: History, Nature, and Law in the Political Thought of Samuel Taylor Coleridge," by Pamela Edwards (Columbia University Press) in Perspectives on Political Science (Winter 2005, Vol. 34, No. 1).. Perspectives on Political Science. 34(1), .
Major, R. M. (2003). Review of Leo Strauss, Max Weber, and the Scientific Study of Politics, by Nasser Behnegar (University of Chicago Press), in Perspectives on Political Science (Fall, 2003).. Perspectives on Political Science.
Journal Article
Major, R., Behnegar, N., Stauffer, D., Nadon, C. (2022). From Laslett to Waldmann: The Case for Reconsidering Strauss on Locke. Review of Politics. Cambridge University Press.
Major, R. M., Minkov, S. Discussion: An Advertisement for the publication of Abridgements of the Essay Concerning Human Understanding and Other Philosophical Writings, 1672-1689, ed. J.R. Milton. 23, . Western Libraries. https://ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/locke/
Major, R. (2022). John Locke: The “Jocose Problem” and the Theoretical Foundation of Toleration. Political Research Quarterly. Ongoing Locke and Molyneux Book Project.
Major, R. M. (2017). Poetry and Reason: A Midsummer Night's Dream. Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy. 43(2), 233-254. Interpretation Inc.. http://www.interpretationjournal.com/index.php
Major, R. M. (2012). "Those that Have the Power to Hurt and Will Do None: Shakespearean Dimensions of Lincoln's Statesmanship". Perspectives on Political Science. 41(2), 75-82. http://www.academia.edu/1574617/Abraham_Lincoln_and_Shakespearean_Statesmanship
Major, R. M. (2010). Symposium on Leo Strauss's What is Political Philosophy?: 50 Year Anniversary. Perspectives on Political Science. 39(2), 63-96.
Major, R. M. (2007). "A New Argument for Morality: Machiavelli and the Ancients". Political Research Quarterly. 60(2), 171-179.
Major, R. M. (2007). "Chasing Plato?" Symposium essay on Democratic Faith by Patrick Deneen. Perspectives on Political Science. 36(4), 210-213.
Major, R. M. (2005). "The Cambridge School and Leo Strauss: Texts and Context of American Political Science". Political Research Quarterly. 58(3), 477-485.
Major, R. M. (2003). "Politics in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice". The Explicator. 61(4), 198-200.
Textbook
Major, R. M. (1997). Instructor's Manual to accompany Introduction to Political Science: Reason, Reflection, and Analysis by R. Kenneth Godwin and John C. Wahlke, (Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1997).. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

Awarded Grants

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

Fellowship
Major, R., "Post-Graduate Fellowship," Sponsored by Liberty Fund Inc., Other, $50000 Funded. (August 15, 2002July 15, 2003).
Grant - Research
Gruver, E. L. (Principal), Major, R. (Co-Principal), "Teaching the Humanities via World War II," Sponsored by Unschwoke Charn Fund, University of North Texas, $6333.00 Funded. (August 31, 2016 – Present).
Major, R., "Hayek Fund for Scholars," Sponsored by Institute for Humane Studies, National, $1000 Funded. (December 14, 2019August 15, 2020).
Major, R., "Earhart Foundation Research Grant," Sponsored by Earhart Foundation, Other, $12000 Funded. (August 15, 2006).
Grant - Service
Borck, C. A. (Co-Principal), Duff, A. S. (Co-Principal), Ruderman, R. (Co-Principal), Major, R. (Co-Principal), "Constitutionalism and Democracy Forum," Sponsored by Jack Miller Foundation, National, $10000 Funded. (August 2021May 2022).
Grant - Teaching
Major, R., "Constitution Day Grant," Sponsored by Jack Miller Center, National, $2000 Funded. (September 17, 2020 – Present).
Major, R., "Constitution Day Grant," Sponsored by Jack Miller Center, National, $2000 Funded. (September 17, 2021).
Major, R., "Constitution Day Grant," Sponsored by Jack Miller Center, National, $2000 Funded. (September 17, 20192019).
Major, R., "Constitution Day Grant," Sponsored by The Jack Miller Center, Other, $2000 Funded. (September 17, 2018).
Major, R., "Constitution Day Grant," Sponsored by The Jack Miller Center, Other, $2000 Funded. (September 17, 2017).
Major, R., "Constitution Day Grant," Sponsored by The Jack Miller Center, Other, $2000 Funded. (September 17, 2016).
Major, R., "Constitution Day Grant," Sponsored by The Jack Miller Center, Other, $2000 Funded. (September 17, 2015).
Major, R., "American Studies Center Summer Institute," Sponsored by James Madison Program at Princeton University, Other, $4000 Funded. (July 15, 2007).
,
Overall
Summative Rating
Challenge and
Engagement Index
Response Rate

out of 5

out of 7
%
of
students responded
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
    • The course as a whole was
    • The course content was
    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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