Jason M. Adkins
Department of Political Science
Kent State University
302 Bowman Hall
Kent, OH 44242
Mobile: (330) 552-7054
Email: jadkin32@kent.edu
Website: http://www.jasonmadkins.com
EDUCATION
ABD Kent State University, Department of Political Science
Fields: American Politics and Policy, Transnational Politics and Policy
M.A. East Stroudsburg University, Department of Political Science, 2012
Thesis: Breaking Bonds: Recent Developments on Separatism in the West
B.S. Utah Valley University, Department of Communication, 2008
Emphasis: Journalism
Capstone Project: E-book on breaking into newspaper industry
DISSERTATION
Title: Politics from the Pulpit: A Critical Test of Elite Cues in American Politics
My dissertation explores how religious elites engage in “reverse God talk,” which are coded political cues that seek to influence members of denominations to support certain political candidates and/or parties, or influence congregants regarding various political issues. This is based on “God talk,” which are coded religious cues delivered by political elites. I also examine how the frequency and content of these coded political cues delivered by religious elites may differ among religious denominations based on a variety of institutional factors. My research design consists of examining historical archives of several religious denominations, employing an original survey experiment to test the effects of those cues, and using existing survey data to determine how hierarchal and other differences among denominations affect political attitudes and opinions.
Committee members: Ryan L Claassen (chair), Michael J. Ensley, Anthony D. Molina, and J. Quin Monson (external member).
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Visiting lecturer, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 2017 – present
Teaching fellow, Kent State University, 2016 – 2017
Teaching assistant, Kent State University, 2014 – 2015
Research assistant, Kent State University, 2013 – 2014
Graduate assistant, East Stroudsburg University, 2011 – 2012
DISSERTATION
Title: Politics from the Pulpit: A Critical Test of Elite Cues in American Politics
My dissertation explores how religious leaders use political “code words” in attempting to influence their congregations to vote for certain political candidates or parties. I also examine how the frequency and content of such political cues made by religious leaders may differ in religious denominations based on a variety of institutional variables. My research design consists of examining historical archives of several religious denominations, and observing religious services of those denominations to determine the extent of the use of political “code words” by religious leaders, as well as using existing survey data to determine the potential effects of those cues.
Committee members: Ryan L Claassen (chair), Michael J. Ensley, and Anthony Molina
NON-REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Encyclopedia Entry: Richard C.A. Holbrooke, American National Biography, 2016 (forthcoming).
Book Review: Campbell, David E., John C. Green, and J. Quin Monson. 2015. Seeking the Promised Land: Mormons and American Politics (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014). Journal of Politics 77 (2): E5-E6.
WORKS IN PROGRESS
“Living in Zion: Testing the Effects of Religious Identity and Activity in Utah.”
“Life in the Fast Lane: A Case Study of Municipally Owned Broadband Networks in the United States.”
“What Americans Know and Want: Probing The Link Between Political Knowledge and U.S. Foreign Policy.” (With Steven W. Hook)
“’Heeding The Brethren’: An Analysis of Mormon Attitudes Towards Immigration in Utah.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
“Preaching Politics: How Religious Denominations Transmit Political Cues to their Members,” Midwest Political Science Association, 2017.
“Heeding the Brethren: How Religious Cues Affect Immigration Attitudes in Utah,” Midwest Political Science Association, 2016.
“The One-Party State of Utah: What Is Driving Republican Control?” Midwest Political Science Association, 2015.
SERVICE TO THE DISCIPLINE
Chair and Discussant, “Religion and Comparative Political Behavior,” Midwest Political Science Association, 2016.
Chair and Discussant, “Secularization and Politics,” Midwest Political Science Association, 2015.
SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY
Political Science Graduate Student Association – Vice President, Kent State University – 2016 – 2017.
Department of Political Science Graduate Studies Committee – Graduate Student Representative, Kent State University – 2016 – 2017
Student Media Policy Committee – Graduate Student Representative, Kent State University – 2013 – 2014.
CAMPUS TALKS
Presentation on Scottish Independence Referendum to Kent State Political Science Department, 2014
GRANTS AND AWARDS
Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives Lynn E. May Study Grant ($500), 2017
Thomas R. Hensley Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching, 2017
Kent State University Graduate Research Symposium, Best Presentation in Panel ($150), 2017
Kent State University Domestic Travel Award ($500), 2017
Kent State University Department of Political Science Travel Award ($300), 2016
Kent State University Domestic Travel Award ($350), 2015
Kent State University Department of Political Science Travel Award ($300), 2015
Kent State University Domestic Travel Award ($300), 2014
UNFUNDED GRANT APPLICATIONS
Society for the Scientific Study of Religion Student Research Award ($2,000), 2016
Kent State University Graduate Student Senate Research Award ($3,000), 2016
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Visiting Lecturer, 2017 – present
University of Wisconsin-Parkside; Kenosha, WI
POLS 100: American Politics
POLS 105: Introduction to Politics
POLS 200: Research Methods and Sources
POLS 375: Campaigns and Political Participation
Teaching Fellow, 2016 – present
Kent State University, Kent, OH
POL 10300: Public Policy (two sections)
POL 30001: Research Methods
Adjunct Instructor, 2016 – present
Ashland University, Ashland, OH
PLSC 102: Democracy in America
Teaching Assistant, 2014 – 2015
Kent State University, Kent, OH
POL 10500: World Politics
POL 40930: U.S. Foreign Policy
PADM 60381: Methods in Public Administration
Instructor of Record, 2013 – 2014
Ashford University, Clinton, IA
POL 201: American National Government
Instructor of Record, 2011– 2012
Northampton Area Community College, Bethlehem, PA
CMTH 102: Speech Communication
Teaching Assistant, 2012
East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA
POLS 120: American Government
NON-ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT
Advanced Placement Essay Scorer, 2014 – present
Educational Testing Services, Salt Lake City, UT
Sports Reporter, 2010 – 2011
The Dickinson Press – Dickinson, ND
Online Reporter, 2008 – 2010
Detroit Lakes Newspapers – Detroit Lakes, MN
Freelance Reporter, 2006 – 2008
Deseret News, Salt Lake City, UT
Web Manager/Reporter, 2006 – 2008
Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Political Science Association
Midwestern Political Science Association
Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
REFERENCES
Ryan L. Claassen, Associate Professor of Political Science
Kent State University
302 Bowman Hall
Kent, OH 44242
Phone: (330) 672-8942
Email: rclaasse@kent.edu
Michael J. Ensley, Associate Professor of Political Science
Kent State University
302 Bowman Hall
Kent, OH 44242
Phone: (330) 672-8933
Email: mensley@kent.edu
Matthew Miles, Professor
Brigham Young University-Idaho
349 RIG
525 South Center St.
Rexburg, ID, 83460
Phone: (208) 496-4238
Email: milesma@byui.edu
Anthony D. Molina, Assistant Professor
Kent State University
302 Bowman Hall
Kent, OH 44242
Phone: (330) 672-0907
Email: amolina4@kent.edu
