Meddaugh, Joshua

Dr. Meddaugh’s teaching and research interests focus primarily on Public Law and American Politics.  Dr. Meddaugh studies Constitutional Law, Judicial Decision Making, Constitutional Theory, The American Presidency, State and Local Politics, and Direct Democracy.  His dissertation is an empirical test of the effect of Rehnquist's role as a chief justice on federalism voting of Supreme Court justices.  Specifically, his dissertation argues that the emphasis on re-establishing federalism by Chief Justice Rehnquist during this era lead to the increased number or pro-states rulings that transpired in comparison to earlier Courts.

Dr. Meddaugh has taught courses on Constitutional Law, The American Presidency, The Congress, American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and World Civilization.

Dr. Meddaugh has presented his research on Judicial Decision-making, American Politics, and Canadian Direct Democracy at multiple conferences and has given presentations on alternative teaching methods, Supreme Court data analysis, and constitutional interpretations on cruel and unusual punishments.  Aside from his academic life, Dr. Meddaugh likes to spend his free time watching, reading, and listening to anything about sports, especially the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and the New York Yankees!"

Dr. Meddaugh has two publications in Stanley Brunn et. al. The 2008 Election Atlas, co-written with Dr. Joshua J. Dyck and Megan Gall. “Ballot Measures in the 2008 Election,” discusses, and provides an explanation for the increased number of ballot measures witnessed during the 2008 election year.  “California's Proposition 8 (Same-Sex Marriage) and the Race Question,” argues that a voter’s race had the most statistically significant effect on casting a vote to repeal California’s same-sex marriage legislation.

Currently, Dr. Meddaugh is working on separate articles on federalism during the Rehnquist Court and Roberts Court.