
Ben Gaskins
Associate Professor of Political Science
Ben Gaskins is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Lewis & Clark College. He teaches courses in American and Comparative Politics, including classes on religion and politics, public opinion, political parties and interest groups, and the presidency. His research seeks to better understand the role of religion in structuring political attitudes, knowledge, and behavior.
Academic Credentials
BA in Political Science and Music, Furman University (2006)
M.S. in Political Science, Florida State University (2008)
PhD in Political Science, Florida State University (2011)
Teaching
Spring 2022
POLS 103 : Intro to American Politics
MWF 9:10 am - 10:10 am
The politics of the founding period; interactions within and among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; the federal division of institutionalized powers; public opinion, interest groups, and political parties; the policy process in areas such as defense, welfare, civil rights and liberties, and international affairs.
Prerequisites: None
Requirements: None
POLS 252 : Public Opinion and Survey Research
MWF 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
The role of public opinion in the American political process; the problem of identifying the public and the extent to which this public exercises political authority; techniques of researching public opinion. Political socialization, formation of attitudes, group differences, mass opinion, elite opinion, direct action. Research design, data collection, scaling, analysis, and interpretation of data in the context of research on polling.
Prerequisites: None
Requirements: Sophomore standing required
Research
Beard, T. Randolph, Robert B. Ekelund Jr., George S. Ford, Ben Gaskins, & Robert D. Tollison. 2013. “Secularism, Religion, and Political Choice in the United States.” Politics & Religion 6(4): 753 – 777.
Gaskins, Ben, Matt Golder, & David Siegel. 2013. “Religious Participation and Economic Conservatism.” American Journal of Political Science 57(4): 823-840.
Gaskins, Benjamin and Jennifer Jerit. 2012. “Internet News: Is it a Replacement for Traditional Media Outlets?” 2012. The International Journal of Press/Politics 17(2): 190-213.
Political Science is located in John R. Howard Hall on the Undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 12
email polisci@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7640
fax 503-768-7637
Chair Ellen Seljan
Political Science
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road MSC 12
Portland OR 97219