Robert Kraynak

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rkraynak

Robert Kraynak

Professor of Political Science; Director, Center for Freedom & Western Civilization

Department/Office Information

Political Science
132 Persson Hall
  • M 2:00pm - 5:00pm (132 Persson Hall)

Contact

Robert P. Kraynak came to Colgate in 1978 from Harvard University, where he received his PhD in government. He teaches courses in the fields of political philosophy and general education, including courses on American political thought, the history of Western political philosophy, natural law, religion and politics, and conservative political thought. He received the Colgate Alumni Corporation "Distinguished Teaching Award" in 2006, and he directs Colgate's Center for Freedom and Western Civilization.

His published books are History and Modernity in the Thought of Thomas Hobbes (Cornell Press, 1990); Christian Faith and Modern Democracy (Notre Dame Press, 2001): In Defense of Human Dignity, edited with Glenn Tinder (Notre Dame Press, 2003): and Reason, Faith, and Politics, edited with Arthur M. Melzer (Lexington, 2008). He also contributed to Human Dignity and Bioethics, published by the President's Council on Bioethics (2008).

Professor Kraynak has served in the U.S. Army Reserves, is the faculty adviser to the College Republicans at Colgate, and is an active member of St. Mary's Church in the village of Hamilton, NY. where he lives with his wife, Sandra, and their four children.

  • BA, Cornell University, 1971
  • PhD, Harvard University, 1977

Bowdoin College, 1977-78

  • Classical and medieval political philosophy
  • Modern political philosophy
  • American political theory

English liberalism (Hobbes and Locke), American political theory and constitutionalism (Tocqueville), religion and politics (Augustine, Aquinas and Pascal), democracy and Christianity, natural law

  • History and Modernity in the Thought of Thomas Hobbes (Cornell Press, 1990)
  • Christian Faith and Modern Democracy (Notre Dame Press, 2001)
  • In Defense of Human Dignity, edited with Glenn Tinder (Notre Dame Press, 2003)
  • Reason, Faith, and Politics, edited with Arthur M. Melzer (Lexington, 2008)
  • Contributed to Human Dignity and Bioethics, published by the President's Council on Bioethics (2008)
  • Also, articles on Hobbes, Locke and Tocqueville in the American Political Science Review (1980, 1982, 1987), the Journal of Politics (1983), First Things, Modern Age, and The New Criterion

Chair, Colgate Political Science Department, 2006-2009

  • Foundation for the Defense of Democracies academic fellow, 2013
  • Earhart Foundation summer stipends 1986, 1988
  • NEH Fellow 1981-82
  • Danforth Fellow 1972-77
  • Consultant to NEH
  • Bradley Foundation grant
  • Delivered the Covey Lectures at Loyola of Chicago in 1989, on the theme of Christian Faith and Modern Democracy