Jordan Ragusa
Professor of Political Science
Education
Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Florida
M.A. in Political Science, University of Florida
B.S. in Secondary Education, Bowling Green State University
Research Interests
Dr. Ragusa’s research focuses on several intersecting topics: American and South Carolina politics, the Congress, political parties, elections, political economy, and statistical methods for the social sciences. He is the author of two books: "Congress in Reverse: Repeals from Reconstruction to the Present" and "First in the South: Why the South Carolina Presidential Primary Matters." Ragusa’s academic work is complemented by various forms of public scholarship. For example, Ragusa has worked alongside several civil rights organizations in redistricting litigation, most notably in a recent racial gerrymandering lawsuit in South Carolina. Additional information can be found on his research page.
Courses Taught
Dr. Ragusa teaches a variety of classes about both American politics and research methodology. In American politics, he has taught classes on national politics and institutions, American political development, national elections, public opinion, and South Carolina politics. In research methodology, his teaching includes classes on both research design and statistical methods for the social sciences. Additional information can be found on this teaching page.
Selected Publications
Dr. Ragusa is the author of two books. His first book "Congress in Reverse: Repeals from Reconstruction to the Present" is the first to examine when and why Congress repeals legislation. It was published by the University of Chicago Press in 2020. Dr. Ragusa’s second book "First in the South: Why the South Carolina Presidential Primary Matters" argues that South Carolina plays a pivotal yet underappreciated role in the race for the White House. It was published by the University of South Carolina Press in 2020. Additionally, Ragusa has published over a dozen articles in journals such as: Political Research Quarterly, Perspectives on Politics, American Politics Research, Political Science Quarterly, Journal of Political Science, Research & Politics, and the Journal of Elections, Public Opinion, and Parties.
Press and Media
Dr. Ragusa has written op/eds and editorials on topics such as the South Carolina primary, Charleston’s mayoral elections, and the Never Trump movement. He has also appeared on PBS, NPR, South Carolina Public Radio, This Week in South Carolina, and has been quoted in newspapers like the New Yorker and USA Today.