Jim Burkee, Associate Professor of History, specializes in modern American political history.  Jim earned his Ph.D. from Northwestern University and did his undergraduate studies in Business and History at Concordia.  His dissertation, "Pastors and Politics: Otten, Preus and the Conservative Movement in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, 1956-1981," analyzed the conflict that consumed the church in the 60's and 70's. 

 

Jim is actively involved in Wisconsin and national politics.  His 2008 run for the US House of Representatives made national headlines and involved many Concordia students.  He has authored dozens of articles for national newspapers, including USA Today and the Los Angeles Times.  His articles appear regularly in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and BizTimes. 

 

In addition to the US History survey courses, Jim also teaches courses on the modern Middle East, US national elections, and Wisconsin political history.  With Dr. Jeff Walz (Political Science), Jim authored a survey of 5,000 Lutheran clergy and laity, studying Lutheran political, religious, and cultural attitudes.  The last phase of the survey will be completed by late 2009.  Jim was honored in 2001 by the Lutheran Schools Association as its "Rookie Teacher of the Year." 

 

Jim lives in Cedarburg with his wife, Susan, and three children - Christian, Grace, and Lydia.