John E. Semonche

Professor M.A. Northwestern University, 1955 Ph.D. Northwestern University, 1962 LL. B. Duke University, 1967

Research Interests

Professor Semonche specializes in American legal and constitutional history. His research focus has been the United States Supreme Court, and his most recent book is entitled Keeping the Faith: A Cultural History of the U.S. Supreme Court. Other publications in this area include Charting the Future: The Supreme Court Responds to a Changing Society, 1890-1920, and Religion & Constitutional Government in the United States: A Historical Overview with Sources. He has agreed to edit the legal papers of James Iredell, an early Supreme Court Justice. In addition, Semonche has been a pioneer in harnessing computer technology to the task of teaching history. He has created three computer simulations in United States history to be used as exercises by students who are placed in historical situations in the years 1865, 1894 and 1912 and asked to make certain decisions. In a number of articles he has explained how this work is designed to further the goals of a liberal education. His most recent work titled "Censoring Sex: A Historical Journey Through American Media" is scheduled for publication by Rowman & Littlefield this coming spring. Also, he is the recipient of two Chancellor's Technology Grants used to prepare multimedia lectures in the American survey course that integrate visuals and sound with an outline in order to increase the effectiveness of lectures, especially in large classes.

View Professor Semonche's home page.

Courses Offered (As Schedules Allow)

(For current course listings, consult the Directory of Classes)

• HIST 128 -- American History Since 1865 -- View course site.
• HIST 395 -- Law in American History -- View course site.
• HIST 581 -- American Constitutional History to 1876 -- View course site.
• HIST 582 -- American Constitutional History Since 1876 -- View course site.

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