Dr. Rafael M. Major Ph.D.
University of North Texas
Honors College
Email:

Education

PhD, University of North Texas, 2002.
Major: Political Theory & Methodology
Dissertation Title: "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

Professional Positions

Academic - Post-Secondary
Visiting Faculty, National University of Ireland, Galway. (January 2020 – August 2020).
Professional
Principle Lecturer, University of North Texas. (February 28, 2020 – Present).
Senior Lecturer, University of North Texas. (2015 – 2020).
Research Fellow, Trinity College, Dublin. (January 2020 – July 31, 2020).

Development Activities Attended

Faculty Development Leave,"Religious Toleration: John Locke and William Molyneux," University of North Texas, Dublin, Ireland. (January 2020 – May 2020).

Conference Attendance,"Midwest Political Science Conference," Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, United States of America. (April 4, 2019 – April 7, 2019).

Conference Attendance,"Do Economics and and Business Studies Advance the Liberal Arts?," STRATA, Logan, UT, United States of America. (November 3, 2016 – November 6, 2016).

Conference Attendance,"Lincoln Symposium on American Political Thought," Jack Miller Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America. (August 10, 2016 – August 14, 2016).

Conference Attendance,"Religion and Rousseau," Salvatori Center, Claremont, CA, United States of America. (March 6, 2014 – March 8, 2014).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

University of North Texas
HNRS 1100, The Good Society, 30 courses.
HNRS 1500, Introduction to Research : An Interdisciplinary Perspective, 7 courses.
HNRS 3996, Honors College Mentored Research Experience, 1 course.
HNRS 4000, Honors Capstone Seminar : Global Perspectives, 8 courses.
PSCI 1040, American Government: Laws and Institutions, 7 courses.
PSCI 1041, Honors American Government, 6 courses.
PSCI 1050, American Government: Process and Policies, 2 courses.
PSCI 1051, Honors American Government, 2 courses.
PSCI 2305, US Political Behavior and Policy, 7 courses.
PSCI 2306, US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, 7 courses.
PSCI 2315, Honors US Political Behavior and Policy, 7 courses.
PSCI 2316, Honors US and Texas Constitutions and Institutions, 13 courses.
PSCI 3700, Area Politics, 2 courses.

Research

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.

Presentations Given

Invited Talk

Major, R. (Author & Presenter), Shakespeare was Serious about the Comedy of Errors, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, United States of America. (2018 – 2018).

Major, R. M. (Author), Lincoln Symposium on American Political Thought, Shakespeare, Lincoln, and Political Science, The Jack Miller Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America. (2017 – 2017).

Major, R. M. (Other), Politics Series, The Attraction and Distraction of Leo Strauss, University of Dallas, Politics Department, Irving, TX, United States of America. (2014 – 2014).

Lecture

Major, R. (Author & Presenter), Honors College Grand Challenges Forum, Sailor Talk: The R-Word Almost Never means Reform, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States of America. (2017 – 2017).

Paper

Major, R. (Author & Presenter), Midwest Political Science Conference, Men and Shakespeare's Women in the Comedies, Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, United States of America. (2019 – 2019).

Major, R. (Author & Presenter), Midwest Political Science Conference, Shakespeare's Daughters: Women 'Statesmen' in the Comedies, Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, United States of America. (2017 – 2017).

Major, R. M. (Author & Presenter), Second Biennial Shakespeare Conference, Rosalind is the Play: Or As You Like It, University of Dallas, Irving, TX, United States of America. (2016 – 2016).

Major, R. (Author & Presenter), Northeastern Political Science Association Meeting, Shakespeare's Comic Virtues: Self-Understanding in the Modern World, Northeast Political Science Association, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America. (2015 – 2015).

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

Fellowship
Major, R., "Post-Graduate Fellowship," Sponsored by Liberty Fund Inc., Other, $50000 Funded. (August 15, 2002 – July 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, 2019 – August 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 2021 – May 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, 2019 – 2019).
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).

Service

University Service

Member, Inclusive Curriculum Committee. (February 2022 – Present).

Member, Honors College Admissions Committee. (August 2021 – Present).

Committee Member, University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. (December 2020 – Present).

Member, RICCO Ethics Award Committee. (October 2020 – Present).

Member, Honors College Curriculum Committee. (February 2015 – Present).

Committee Member, UNT Constitution Day. (September 2014 – Present).

Director, Honors College Study Abroad Program. (January 2014 – Present).

Director, UNT Scholars Day. (January 2014 – Present).

Student Org Advisor (Non-Professional Org), North Texas Emeralds. (August 2013 – Present).

Member, Faculty Senate. (November 2017 – August 2018).

Other, Honors College, UNT Student Life. (July 17, 2016 – July 2018).

Member, University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. (September 2016 – February 2018).

Committee Member, University Study Abroad Committee. (August 2015 – August 2016).