Affiliated Departments & Programs

Ric S. Sheffield joined the Kenyon faculty in 1989. Before coming to Kenyon, he served for ten years as an assistant attorney general for the State of Ohio as a civil rights attorney and subsequently as chief of the state's consumer protection division. In addition to his appointment in sociology, Sheffield served as director of the College's law and society program.

Sheffield's courses examine various legal identities and consciousness, comparative legal cultures and the relationship between legal institutions and other social institutions. His teaching frequently focuses upon issues of race, ethnicity and gender.

Sheffield lectures widely at colleges and universities throughout Ohio and he was chosen as one of a select group of humanities scholars in the state to participate in the Ohio Humanities Council's speakers' bureau. He has published articles and reviews on topics including legal history, right to fair trial, free speech and press, the legal profession, and African American social and legal history. He continues to serve on various statewide policy-making and regulatory boards and commissions.

Education

1979 — Doctor of Jurisprudence (Law) from Case Western Reserve Univ

1976 — Bachelor of Arts from Case Western Reserve Univ

Courses Recently Taught

This credit/no credit colloquium will serve as a capstone, so-called professional seminar (“pro sem”), in which the students will engage in a guided reflection about the field of American studies, focusing upon both content (i.e. American culture and experience) and distinctive approaches to investigating those things considered “American.” During the first half of the semester, students will invite scholars in the field and alumni to visit class to discuss how the field has shaped their professional careers and perspectives. Class sessions will be directed at student final research projects. The major portion of the semester will involve the formal public presentations of their research projects as well as critiques of presentations given by classmates. The colloquium will count toward the units of elective study. Offered as a final collaborative learning experience for American studies majors. Permission of instructor is required. Offered in rotation with the Senior Seminar.

Individual study is an exceptional opportunity available to junior or senior majors who find that the ordinary course offerings at Kenyon do not meet their needs for the major. Individual study will ordinarily be taken for 0.5 units of credit. Students must have the approval of the department chair in order to apply to enroll in an individual study. Students must present a detailed reading list and syllabus, including a schedule of assignments/projects and due dates, to the American studies faculty member with whom they choose to work. The faculty member who agrees to supervise and direct the individual study will confirm the syllabus and schedule in writing to the director of the program. The student project must culminate in a public presentation.

Individual study is an exceptional opportunity available to junior or senior majors who find that the ordinary course offerings at Kenyon do not meet their needs for the major. Individual study will ordinarily be taken for 0.5 units of credit. Students must have the approval of the department chair in order to apply to enroll in an individual study. Students must present a detailed reading list and syllabus, including a schedule of assignments/projects and due dates, to the American studies faculty member with whom they choose to work. The faculty member who agrees to supervise and direct the individual study will confirm the syllabus and schedule in writing to the director of the program. The student project must culminate in a public presentation.

Individual study is an exceptional opportunity available to junior or senior majors who find that the ordinary course offerings at Kenyon do not meet their needs for the major. Individual study will ordinarily be taken for 0.5 units of credit. Students must have the approval of the department chair in order to apply to enroll in an individual study. Students must present a detailed reading list and syllabus, including a schedule of assignments/projects and due dates, to the American studies faculty member with whom they choose to work. The faculty member who agrees to supervise and direct the individual study will confirm the syllabus and schedule in writing to the director of the program. The student project must culminate in a public presentation.

The Honors Program in American studies entails a two-semester sequence of independent work integral to the elective-study program in the major, taken during the senior year. Students enrolled in this course will be automatically added to AMST 498Y for the spring semester. Permission of instructor and department chair required. This interdisciplinary course does not count toward the completion of any diversification requirement.

The Honors Program in American studies entails a two-semester sequence of independent work integral to the elective-study program in the major, taken during the senior year. Permission of instructor and department chair required. This interdisciplinary course does not count toward the completion of any diversification requirement.