University of Indianapolis Graduate History Faculty
UIndy's History & Political Science faculty is comprised of accomplished and passionate professors who are dedicated to providing students with the knowledge and tools for success in future endeavors. Our professors have a variety of backgrounds and bring their own opinions, ideas and experiences to the classroom, giving you a richer educational environment.
Dr. Ted Frantz
Department Chair, Professor of History
Director of Institute of Civic Leadership/Mayoral Archives
- Specialties: U.S. 1877-1920, Midwest, political history
- PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2002
Areas of Expertise
presidential and political history; history of Indiana and the Midwest, American history (1865-present); African American history
Background
Serves as the director of the UIndy Civic Archives, which holds key materials regarding the maturation of modern Indianapolis. Author of The Door of Hope: Republican Presidents and the First Southern Strategy (1877-1933 University Press of Florida, 2011). Member of various professional historical organizations. An expert on the presidency, Dr. Frantz has given interviews for radio, TV, and newspapers that have appeared in local, national and international publications.
Research Interests
modern Indianapolis, presidential history, race and politics, midwestern history
Education
- PhD, History, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- MA, History, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- BA, History, Princeton University
Fun fact
I appeared in UIndy's inaugural "Personal Attention Unleashed" commercial.
Favorite thing about UIndy
The ability to collaborate with students, colleagues and community members.
Dr. A. James Fuller
Professor of History
- Specialties: early American republic, Civil War
- PhD, Miami University, 1995
Areas of Expertise
Civil War and Reconstruction, the Old South, Indiana history, 19th century U.S.
Background
Past president of the Indiana Association of Historians. Has published six books, including Chaplain to the Confederacy (2000), Soldiers of Christ (2009), and The Election of 1860 Reconsidered (2013).
Research Interests
Dr. Fuller's primary research interest is 19th century America, especially the Civil War, Southern history, Indiana history, and Evangelical Protestant Christianity. His forthcoming biography of Indiana's Civil War governor is entitled, The Great War Governor: Oliver P. Morton and the Politics of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Education
PhD, U.S. History/World History, Miami University of Ohio
Dr. Chad Martin
Associate Professor of History
- Specialties: modern Britain, modern Africa, imperialism
- PhD, Stanford University, 2003
Areas of Expertise
Modern Britain and the British Empire; Modern Europe
Dr. Jyotika Saksena
Professor of International Relations
Director, Graduate Program in International Relations
- Specialties: international political economy, international organizations
- PhD, University of Georgia, 2001
Areas of Expertise
international organizations, international political economy, regime consequences, nuclear nonproliferation
Background
Dr. Saksena has worked on projects funded by the United States Institute of Peace and the Rockefeller Foundation on issues related to South Asian security, focusing on nuclear, dual-use and conventional weapons/technology. Her research has been published as articles in the journals International Politics, Comparative Strategy, and Asian Survey.
Research Interests
trade-related intellectual property rights; intended and unintended consequences of international organizations on societies; nuclear politics
Education
- PhD, International Relations, University of Georgia
- MPhil, American Studies, School of International Studies, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- MA, International Studies, School of International Studies, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- BA, Political Science (Honors), Delhi University, Delhi, India
Fun facts
I have traveled to more than 10 countries in the world.
Favorite thing about UIndy
Small classroom size and sense of community.
Dr. Lawrence Sondhaus
Professor of History
Director, Graduate Program in History
- Specialties: modern Europe, Germany and Austria, naval and military history
- PhD, University of Virginia, 1986
Areas of Expertise
modern Europe, naval and military, strategy and policy
Background
Dr. Sondhaus authored 12 books, most recently The Great War at Sea: A Naval History of World War I (Cambridge, 2014), World War I: The Global Revolution (Cambridge, 2011), and Strategic Culture and Ways of War (Routledge, 2006). Three books have been translated into other languages, appearing in German, Italian, Slovenian, Portuguese and Korean editions. Other publications include 12 journal articles, in periodicals such as the Journal of Military History , International History Review , and Central European History .
Education
- PhD, History, University of Virginia
- MA, History, University of Virginia
- BA, History and Philosophy, Elon University
Fun fact
I coach boys lacrosse on the middle level.
Favorite thing about UIndy
My role as faculty athletics representative.
Dr. Milind Thakar
Associate Professor of International Relations
- Specialties: comparative politics, political development, South Asia
- PhD, University of Georgia, 2001
Areas of Expertise
comparative politics, political development, South Asia
Background
Dr. Thakar's interests are in the areas of democratization and comparative politics, particularly in the region of South Asia. He has published articles in journals such as Asian Survey, India Review and Strategic Analysis.
Research Interests
democratic consolidation; political parties in South Asia; government-business relations; national identity formation
Education
- PhD, Political Science, University of Georgia, 2001
- MPhil, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India 1992
- MA, International Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, 1990
- BA Honors (Economics), University of Delhi, India, 1988
Fun fact
I can name and date the reign of every British monarch since 1066.
Favorite thing about UIndy
The ability to teach travel courses leading students to Britain and India.
Dr. Douglas Woodwell
Associate Professor of International Relations
- Specialties: international conflict, terrorism
- PhD, Yale University, 2005
Areas of Expertise
international conflict, research methodology
Background
Author of books Nationalism and International Relations: Norms, Foreign Policy, and Enmity and forthcoming (Dec 2013) Research Foundations and Process: How We Know What We Know. Also authored articles published by The World Bank and International Relations Quarterly. Dr. Woodwell is also a former lecturer at the Yale Center for International and Area Studies.
Education
- PhD, Political Science, Yale University
- MA, German and European Studies, Georgetown University
- BA, International Studies, American University
Fun fact
I'm trying hard to teach myself guitar.
Favorite thing about UIndy
The people, of course!