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Vincent Jungkunz' areas of interest include democratic theory, critical race theory, gender, sexuality, and popular culture. He is especially interested in intersections of privilege surrounding race, gender, and sexuality, as well as envisioning innovative approaches to democratic resistance, contestation, and community. His dissertation, entitled Insubordinate Silence, offers a radical re-interpretation of silence as an alternative site for engaging the political. In the past, those who study and theorize the political have approached silence as apathy, indifference, or general acceptance of the status quo; or, alternatively, as evidence of the workings of power—the phenomenon of “being silenced.” Neither approach, however, has explored the ways in which silence might be utilized and practiced democratically. Instead of organizing our democratic theory and politics exclusively around the power of speech, this project highlights the various meanings and manifestations of silence, particularly as a tool of resistance and empowerment in a garrulous world. Insubordinate Silence challenges us to think in new ways about democracy, speech, and participation.  His teaching includes Introduction to Political Theory, Critical Race Theory, Democratic Theory, Legal Theory and Social Problems, Contemporary Political Thought, Politics and Film, and Law and Sexuality.  Dr. Jungkunz received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 2008, and is a 2009 winner of the University Professor Award.

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. at University of Washington (2008)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Democratic Theory
• Critical Race Theory
• Gender, Sexuality & Popular Culture
• Politics of Silence
• Rights

DISTINCTIONS

• University Professor Award, 2009

COURSES RECENTLY TAUGHT

• Pols 101: American National Government
• Pols 102: Issues in American Politics
• Pols 270: Political Theory
• Pols 373: Contemporary Political Thought
• Pols 475: Studies in Political Thought
• Pols 477/577: Legal Theory & Social Problems
• Pols 490C/590C: Resistance, Reform, & Revolution
• Pols 490D/590D: Democratic Theory
• Pols 490G/590G
• Pols 490O/590O: Critical Race Theory