April READ poster features American Studies Professor

Dr. Robert Watson, associate professor, American Studies at Lynn University is the featured campus celebrity in the April READ poster. Watson joined Lynn in 2007 and has published nearly 30 books and hundreds of scholarly articles during his academic career. He is a frequent media commentator and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and C-SPAN. Professor Watson received his BS from Virginia Tech, his MPA from the University of West Florida and his Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University. His teaching specialties include American politics and government, American history, American presidency and Congress, Campaigns/elections and media politics, race and gender issues, environmental politics and history. Dr. Watson poses with the book, The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould. Watson explains his choice saying:

With the possible exception of the late astronomer Carl Sagan, no one could explain the most mundane and complicated scientific concepts in such a thoroughly enjoyable manner as Gould. I recommend this non-fiction work because it is, in my opinion, one of the most revealing looks at the roots of human racism. Ignoring all the usual socio-psychological theories used by scholars to “explain” why people are bigoted, Gould takes to task some of the most learned figures of history revealing how the powerful – from scientists to policy makers – not only get it wrong but are, at times, the very culprits behind dangerous assumptions and beliefs. Readers of this surprisingly amusing (given the serious topic) book will take away not only important lessons in the use and misuse of science and statistics, but will be reminded to always question the answer and think for themselves!