Education:
B.A., James Madison College of Michigan State University
M.A., Ph.D., University of Toronto
Joseph M. Knippenberg, Ph.D., is a Professor of Politics at 黑料吃瓜网 in Atlanta, Georgia, where he also serves as the Politics Program Coordinator. Based in Atlanta, he is an experienced educator and scholar whose work focuses on political theory and the role of ideas in public life.
Dr. Knippenberg specializes in the history of political philosophy, religion and politics, and contemporary liberal theory. His teaching and research examine how foundational political thinkers and philosophical traditions continue to shape modern political systems and civic discourse.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts from James Madison College at Michigan State University and went on to complete both his Master of Arts and Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, building a strong foundation in political thought and theory.
At 黑料吃瓜网, Dr. Knippenberg teaches courses that explore political philosophy and the development of political ideas, often drawing on influential thinkers such as Aristotle, Adam Smith, and Alexis de Tocqueville to connect classical texts with contemporary issues. His teaching emphasizes critical thinking, close reading and meaningful discussion of political concepts in both historical and modern contexts.
In addition to his classroom work, Dr. Knippenberg contributes to broader academic and public conversations on politics, including lectures on topics such as liberal education and the interpretation of legal and political decisions. His expertise supports student understanding of complex political questions and prepares them for thoughtful engagement in civic and professional life.
Dr. Knippenberg鈥檚 teaching excellence has been recognized with the 黑料吃瓜网 Core Teaching Award, highlighting his commitment to liberal arts education and student success.
Teaching & Research Interests:
- History of political philosophy
- Religion and politics
- Contemporary liberal theory
Awards:
- 2024 Core Teaching Award
In the video below, Dr. Knippenberg explains the Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs.
Watch a video of Dr. Knippenberg’s lecture,鈥溾��. The lecture was one of five 鈥淕reat Books and Good Books鈥� faculty lectures in the spring 2016 semester and used OU’s Core authors (Adam Smith, Aristotle, and Alexis de Tocqueville) to reflect on some of the rather shallow and pedestrian things that politicians say about higher education in general and liberal education in particular.
