All News

In speeches and debates, contemporary politicians often relate their values back to the principles of America’s founding fathers. However, how well they actually represent those ideals is disputable. In her Emerson Foundation project, “What Would Jefferson Do? The Jeffersonian Ideal and Modern Day Environmental Policy,” Claire Zurlo ’14 is examining how Thomas Jefferson’s political philosophy relates to today’s environmentalism.

Visiting Assistant Professor of History John Ragosta discussed his new book, Religious Freedom: Jefferson’s Legacy, America’s Creed, on June 4 at Jefferson’s plantation Monticello in Charlottesville, Va.

WAMC/Northeast Public Radio’s Academic Minute will feature Visiting Assistant Professor of History John Ragosta's essay on National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2. Ragosta, author of the newly published Religious Freedom: Jefferson's Legacy, America's Creed, provides a brief summary of the role of prayer in U.S. history. The broadcast can be heard locally at 7:34 a.m. or 3:56 p.m. at 90.3 FM and at InsideHigherEd.com.

Visiting Assistant Professor of History John Ragosta discussed his new book -- Religious Freedom: Jefferson's Legacy, America's Creed -- at the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville, Va, on March 22.  The Virginia Festival is the largest gathering celebrating writing and reading in the Mid-Atlantic region drawing new and best-selling authors in all genres.

In response to an attack on CIA Director John Brennan for taking the oath of office with a hand on George Washington's copy of the Constitution rather than the Bible, Visiting Assistant Professor of History John Ragosta wrote a response in an essay published by The Huffington Post. In “Bravo for Brennan!,” which appeared on the publication’s website on March 14,  Ragosta explained that “The Constitution does not require that a Bible be used for the oath of office.

Religious Freedom: Jefferson's Legacy, America's Creed, a new book by Visiting Assistant Professor of History John Ragosta, will be a featured alternate selection in the June catalog for the History Book Club. The book explores the centrality of the Jeffersonian vision to the development of religious freedom in America, responding to such critics as Justices Rehnquist and Thomas and Professors Akhil Amar and Daniel Dreisbach.

An opinion piece titled “Something to Celebrate on Religious Freedom Day” and written by Visiting Assistant Professor of History John Ragosta appeared on the Washington Post website as well as the Religious News Service. The essay was published on Religious Freedom Day, Jan. 16, which is defined as a day to celebrate the adoption of Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Establishing Religious Freedom.