Paul Dawson
A professor of Politics.
His chief interest is in policy analysis, focusing on how leaders accumulate the "political capital" to be effective and on helping students learn to become such leaders. Dawson teaches a First Year Seminar on political leadership and various courses on American Government, especially electioneering, public policy, and the presidency.
Dawson has been a Guest Scholar at the Brookings Institution, published National Science Foundation funded research on campaign spending and election outcomes, and has authored a textbook on American politics and policy. In 2005, he received the Distinguished Teaching Award from Oberlin College and the Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education.
- Ph.D. Political Science, Michigan State University, 1969
- M.A. Political Science, Michigan State University, 1965
- B.A. Political Science, Michigan State University, 1964
(information from http://oberlin.edu/politics/dawson/)
There is much controversy amongst students about Mr. Dawson. Some believe he is full of shit and teaches only his useless opinions and nothing of substance. Others believe he is a political genius who teaches students to think in ways they have never thought before, and examine the world through a politically analytical eye.
Paul Dawson is known for signing off on even the most ludicrous winter term projects.
Contents |
[edit] Courses
[edit] Fall 2008
On leave
[edit] Spring 2009
- POLT 105: American Government
- POLT 305: Seminar: The Presidency
[edit] Opinions
Paul Dawson rocks my socks!! --12.149.121.226, 5 January 2007
This guy's a douche who thinks he's being cute. I have one friend who likes him, but his fan club is generally intolerable. I didn't learn much, if anything, from his class on intro to American Politics. Too early, waste of time. Spends more time trying to come up with clever ways to illustrate points than actually making them. --132.162.216.4, 14 May 2008
[edit] Quotes
"Use the Oberlin motivator: guilt."
“Public goods are lumpy."
"It's a hunting circle, not a dance."
"If we had duct tape, we'd help Klebanoff know what's good for him."
"I want to serve the public, and serve some more."
"But I like my excessive belongings."
to a student: "Drop out."
"Her tumors are about to pop out like toads on a Texas highway."
"...and only Fern Gully will survive."
"Altruism can be so very selfish."
