Robert Duke Joins Faculty

Bob Duke brings extensive experience in K-12 teaching and administration into the classroom at EMU this fall as a new member of the Department of History & Philosophy. Duke earned his doctorate at Western Michigan University in August, 2008. His dissertation, "Bilingual Education, Federalism, and the Political Culture of American Public Education, 1964-1980," explored how issues of race and ethnicity intersect with the longtime quest of classroom teachers to have a meaningful voice in the operation of their schools. The case studies of communities in Texas and Michigan demonstrate the importance of local political culture in shaping community responses to federal education policies. Professor Duke plans to continue researching and writing about the relationship between the federal government and local school districts. An example of his approach may be found in his article, "Ft. Custer and the Village of Augusta, Michigan, 1939-1941," in the International Journal of Regional and Local Studies (Vol. I Summer 2005). Other research interests include environmental history, the use of music as a representation of popular and political culture, and the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson.

Outside of the classroom, which he considers to be his "natural environment," Bob is an avid musician, cyclist, fisherman, and dog-lover.

August 2008