Scott Dittloff

I am Dr. Scott Dittloff, professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. My teaching and research interests focus on human rights, study abroad, Caribbean and Latin American politics, and international relations.

I focus on making the classroom about the subject and not about “teaching” and “learning.” I encourage students to use their own knowledge, challenge me, and ask questions. This gives them the freedom to learn and experience education in their own way. Ultimately, what I strive for is to develop interdependence between students and me to create a learning community.

I like heavy metal music, pirates, coffee, gardening, opera and grammar. I am fascinated by how different ideas, concepts and disciplines can be put together to gain a greater understanding of anything.

Finally, I love trivia (the more trivial, the better!) and celebrating “faux” holidays, such as Talk Like a Pirate Day (9/19) and National Chocolate with Almonds Day (7/8). I was also born in the back of a car. In December. In Wisconsin.

• Ph.D., Texas A&M University, 1996
• Master of Arts, Iowa State University, 1987
• Bachelor of Arts, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 1985

• University of the Incarnate Word; Professor August 2000-present
• Temple College; Instructor, Spring 1995 to Summer 1995, Fall 1996
• University of Mary Hardin-Baylor; Instructor, Fall 1992 to Summer 1995
• Texas A&M University; Assistant Instructor, Spring 1990 to Summer 1992

• Corning Community College; Research Analyst, January 1999 to August 2000
• State University of New York College at Brockport; Research Associate, May 1998 to January 1999
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Community Justice Assistance Division; Research Specialist, April 1997 to April 1998
• NuStats International; Research Assistant, August, 1996 to January, 1997

• "The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Delayed Gratification." Forthcoming
• “Creating Intercultural Experiences: Case Studies of Course-Based Study Abroad in Germany, the Caribbean, and India” (with Lydia Andrade, Lopita Nath, and Alejandra Yañez-Vega). 2019. 2019 CEDER Yearbook. Crossing Boundaries/Crossing Borders: Narratives of Intercultural Experiences. http://ceder.tamucc.edu/files/yearbook_2019.pdf
• A Guide to Faculty-Lead Study Abroad: How to Create a Truly Transformative Experience (with Lydia Andrade and Lopita Nath). 2019. New York: Routledge/Taylor and Francis Group.

• Caribbean Studies Association
• Southwestern Political Science Association
• Southwestern Social Science Association

When not teaching, researching or traveling, I like to cook with my wife and two sons, growing the herbs and some of the vegetables in my backyard garden. To work up an appetite, I enjoy playing basketball and singing.

• University of the Incarnate Word Presidential Teaching Award, 2015
• Who's Who Among American Teachers and Educators, 2008
• Recipient, IBM Thinkpad Innovative Teaching with Technology Award, 2004
• Recipient, Title V Summer International Travel/Research Grant, University of the Incarnate Word, 2004
• Recipient, Title V Professional Development Grant, University of the Incarnate Word, 2004
• Recipient, IBM Thinkpad Innovative Teaching with Technology Award, 2002
• Recipient, Title 5 Curriculum Development Grant, Winter 2002
• Recipient, Title V Summer International Travel/Research Grant, University of the Incarnate Word, 2002
• Recipient, Title V Curriculum Development Grant, Summer 2001
• Recipient, RAVE Award, University of the Incarnate Word, 2001
• Recipient, Faculty Development Grants, 2000-2004
• Recipient, Title V SPSS Technology Grant, Fall 2000

• Member, Editorial Board of the Arts and Social Sciences Journal
• Member, Editorial Board of the Journal of Social Sciences
• Academic Editor, British Journal of Applied Science & Technology
• Treasurer and Social Media Coordinator, Southwestern Social Science Association Women’s and Gender Studies affiliate
• Peer Reviewer, PS: Political Science & Politics
• Peer Reviewer, Social Science Journal
• Member, Southwestern Social Science Association Membership Committee, 2016-2017
• Secretary, Southwestern Social Science Association, 2016-2017
• Coordinator: Southwestern Social Science Association Exhibits, 2015 to 2017
• Member, College Board CLEP Social Sciences and History Committee, Spring 2007-2015

I am involved with community organizations related to refugees including being a member of the CIELO Garden at House of Prayer Leadership Team (a community garden for refugees in San Antonio) and serving on the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio Board of Advisors – Refugee Services. I also sing for recordings of Sunday services for House of Prayer Lutheran Church.

My current research involves evaluating the effectiveness of study abroad in building cultural competencies for students; international relations as understood through bananas, coffee, sugar and other commodities, particularly in regard to the history of imperialism in its political, economic and cultural dimensions through the exploitation of commodities; and the development of identity in the Caribbean. My research focuses on interdisciplinarity and concepts such as radicalism, constructivism, feminism and post-colonialism.

• American Politics
• Texas Politics
• Human Rights
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Terrorism and Conflict
• Religion and Politics
• Foreign Policy
• Political Behavior
• International Law
• Political Parties and Elections
• Post-Colonialism
• Democracy
• Gender and Politics
• Globalization