James B. Cottrill
Position: Assistant Professor
Office: A&S 241
E-mail: jcottrill@scu.edu
Education: Ph.D. Texas A&M University, 2004; B.A. University of Louisville, 1991
Winter Quarter Office Hours: MWF 10:30 - 11:30
Curriculum Vita: (updated 10/2011)
Jim Cottrill teaches undergraduate courses in American government with an emphasis on the institutions of Congress and the presidency. His current research examines electoral competition in congressional races with special emphasis on the effects of the political environment on electoral outcomes. His previous research has examined a wide range of topics in American politics including representation, school violence, public opinion formation, and agenda studies. Before joining the political science department at Santa Clara, Dr. Cottrill taught for four years at Texas A&M University, where he received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Department of Political Science in 2001.
Dr. Cottrill's non-academic interests include college basketball, fantasy football, playing his Fender Rhodes electric piano (with his band, Floodgate), and most importantly, his lovely wife Emily.
- Introduction to U.S. Politics
- The Congress
- The Presidency
- Political Participation
- Media & Politics
- Public Administration
Recent Research:
"The Effects of Non-Legislative Redistricting Approaches on Competition in Congressional Elections." Forthcoming, January 2012 issue of Polity."Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Postmaterialism and Public Policy in the United States" Revise and Resubmit at Policy Studies Journal.
"The Partisan Dynamics of Supreme Court Confirmation Voting." (with Terri Peretti and Alan Rozzi). Under review at Justice System Journal.
"Staff Organizational Structures and Legislative Productivity: Exploring the Link Between STaff organizations and Bill Sponsorship Activity" (with Jessica Cassella). Presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association in Chicago, Illinois.
Recent Media Interviews:
KTVU-2 on 5/9/2011: http://www.ktvu.com/video/27834730/index.html
ABC News10 on 9/29/2010:http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=98142
Associated Press on 8/2/2011:
http://news.yahoo.com/analysis-lessons-learned-default-fault-abounds-201942728.html
