faculty
Dr. richard Gilman-Opalsky
Richard Gilman-Opalsky earned his Ph.D. in Political Science at The New School for Social Research in 2006. His MA (The New School for Social Research) and BA (Hofstra University) are in Philosophy.
Dr. Gilman-Opalsky’s teaching areas and research interests include the history of political philosophy, continental and contemporary political theory, socialist philosophy, globalization, cosmopolitanism, critical theory, post-structuralism, and feminist theory. Dr. Gilman-Opalsky’s recent research has focused on French theorist Guy Debord, and also on Jürgen Habermas and theories of the public sphere. He is interested in different ways of understanding the role of public discourse in light of contemporary problems and transnational politics. Many of these themes are addressed in his book, Unbounded Publics: Transgressive Public Spheres, Zapatismo, and Political Theory (Lexington Books).
Dr. Gilman-Opalsky runs a series of events at UIS called Political Art and the Public Sphere (PAPS). The basic idea behind PAPS is to consider how “political art” raises provocative social and political questions, and to engage in discussion with students, faculty, and members of the general public.
Beyond academics, Dr. Gilman-Opalsky is a “freejazz” drummer and percussionist, and he maintains a performing ensemble in Springfield.
