Scholar of the Month
Christopher P. Banks
Associate Professor of Political Science
College of Arts and Sciences
2006-present
Christopher Banks' scholarship focuses on law, justice and the courts. He is a frequent guest on local and national news programs following Supreme Court decisions. His most recent book is titled The U.S. Supreme Court and New Federalism. In this book, co-authored by John C. Blakeman, Banks examines the court's interpretation of states' rights over the last 25 years. Reviewers call it "indispensable" and "a thoughtful, careful, balanced analysis, blending together both legal analysis and political science … [that] deserves a wide audience."
Before receiving his doctorate in American government at the University of Virginia, Banks practiced law in civil and criminal litigation. In addition to practicing law and campaigning for state representative in Connecticut in 1988, he received a gubernatorial appointment to serve as an administrative hearing officer for the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
About Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Scholar of the Month
Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Scholar of the Month recognizes faculty researchers and scholars whose recent work has had an important impact on their professional fields and has brought exposure and notoriety to the university. Each month, a different college will have the opportunity to nominate a researcher/scholar for this recognition. There is also a month when a Regional Campuses faculty member will be featured.
The selection process is in the hands of the dean and his or her colleagues and faculty. Hence, this is recognition by the person's college colleagues that is then taken up by the university. The deans communicate the person's name to the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs for recognition as Scholar of the Month.