San Jose State University Department of Political Science Faculty -- Terry Christensen -- Resume

TERRY CHRISTENSEN
Resume 2004

Department of Political Science
San Jose State University
San Jose, California 95192-0119

Telephone (408) 924-5565; FAX (408) 924-5556
E-mail terrychr@email.sjsu.edu

BA, Stanford University, 1966
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1972

Outstanding Professor, San Jose State University, 1997-1998
Chair, Department of Political Science, San Jose State University, 1994-2002.
Professor of Political Science, San Jose State University since 1970. Areas of expertise: city politics, state politics, California politics, U.S. politics, interest groups, campaigns and elections.
Assistant Chairman, Department of Political Science, San Jose State University, 1977-1985 and 1993.
Founder and Organizer, Don Edwards Lecture Series, 1995-date (featuring speakers including Don Edwards, Norman Mineta, Barbara Boxer, Kevin Starr, Mervin Field, Gloria Steinem, Studs Terkel and Erin Brockovich.)
Director, SJSU Field Work in Politics (Internships). Creation, development and supervision of extensive political internship program, 1973-1994, 2002-date.
Coordinator, Department of Political Science Step-to-College Unitrack Program for Mt. Pleasant High School, San Jose, 2002-2004.
Co-Founder, SJSU Semester in England; Director, 1992; Associate Director 1987-1990; Faculty Selection Committee since 1993.
SJSU Coordinator, Sacramento Semester Intern Program, Panetta Congressional Internship Program, SJSU Poli Sci Congressional Internship Program.

FUNDRAISING

The Don Edwards Lecture in Politics and History: over $40,000.
PoliSci@SJSU Alumni Association: over $4,000.
PoliSci@SJSU Alumni Association Scholarship: over $12,000.
Washington Internship Scholarship for SJSU Poli Sci Majors: over $33,000.
PoliSci@SJSU Chair’s Discretionary Fund (for events, etc.): over $3,000.
Assisting donors for Brazil, Gilbert, Kunsman, McCraw, Rinn and Young Pol Sci Scholarships: over $120,000.

ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY SERVICE

Presidential Search Committee, San Jose State University, 2003-2004.
University Tenure and Retention Committee, 2002-2003.
Decanal Search Committee, College of Social Sciences, 2002.
Housing Allocation Task Force, SJSU, 2001-2002.
Town and Gown Forum, since 1997.
Governing Board, Institute of Social Responsibility, Ethics and Education since 1998Presidential Search Committee, San Jose State University, 1994.
Decanal Search Committee, College of Social Work, 1994.

PUBLICATIONS

Recall! California’s Political Earthquake, with Larry N. Gerston, Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, February 2004.

"Throughout the summer and early fall of 2003, the world watched as California shuddered through an unprecedented political earthquake. No one watched more carefully -- or better understood what they were seeing -- than veteran political scientists Larry N. Gerston and Terry Christensen. The result is a tour de force of informed reportage that is at once instant history and political science of the highest order." -- Kevin Starr, Professor of History, University of Southern California

California Politics and Government: A Practical Approach, with Larry N. Gerston, 7th Edition, Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace, 2003. 8th Edition forthcoming, 2005.
Local Politics Governing at the Grassroots, Belmont: Wadsworth, 1995. New edition forthcoming from M.E. Sharpe, 2005.
Politics in the Golden State: The California Connection, with Larry N. Gerston, Boston: Little, Brown, 1984. Second Edition, Glenview, Illinois: Scott/Foresman, Little, Brown, 1988.
Reel Politics: American Political Movies from the Birth of a Nation to Platoon, New York: Blackwell, 1987. New edition co-authored by Peter Haas forthcoming from M. E. Sharpe, 2005.
Movers and Shakers: The Study of Community Power, with Philip J. Trounstine, New York: St. Martin's Press, 1982.
Reliable Sources: A Handbook for Political Research in San Jose and Santa Clara County, San Jose: Fidelity Press, 1980 and 1991.
Neighbourhood Survival: The Struggle for Covent Garden, Dorset, England: Prism, 1979.
“San Jose Becomes the Capital of Silicon Valley,” (a political history of San Jose since 1970), An Anthology of San Jose: Reflections of the Past, Encinitas, CA: Heritage Publishing, 1997.
“Rambo and the New Patriotism in 1980s Action Films” in Examining Popular Culture: Americans’ Views
About War, San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001.
Chapters in Richard L. Sutter, ed., Internationalizing the California State University, Long Beach: CSU, 1992; D.T. Herbert and R.J. Johnston, eds., Geography and the Urban Environment, New York: John Wiley, 1981; Dorothy Buckton James, ed., Analyzing Poverty Policy, Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1975.
Articles for scholarly journals: College Teaching, Cities, The Political Quarterly (UK), The Californians, California Journal, The Journal of Policy Studies, Landscape, Urban Land, Urban Affairs Quarterly, Western Political Quarterly, Teaching Political Science, Publius, San Jose Studies, Education Concerns (UK).
Opinion and Op Ed Columns for Pacific News Service, The Spartan Daily, The Independent Weekly, The Oakland Tribune, The San Francisco Examiner, The Sacramento Bee, The Business Journal, Silicon Valley Biz Inc., and The San Jose Mercury News.
“The Way in San Jose,” (on the city’s 1998 mayoral election), California Journal, February 1998.
“A profile of California’s history and politics,” KQED’s Ballot Box (online), 2002.

RECENT OP ED PIECES

“Valley came out winner in election,” Silicon Valley Business Ink, November 24, 2000.
“Crossing boundaries for a better downtown,” Silicon Valley Business Ink, September 24, 2001.
“The right way to redistrict,” San Jose Mercury News, January 11, 2002.
“Recall politics: A natural evolution,” Silicon Valley Business Ink, September 7, 2003.
”Power of the People: A Coalition Victory,” San Jose Mercury News, November 12, 2003.
“State’s crisis demands overhaul of government,” San Jose Mercury News, February 17, 2004.

RECENT PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Frequent media interviews for newspapers from the San Jose Mercury News, the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Diego Union Tribune to USA Today as well as television (KNTV, KGO, KRON, KPIX, etc.) -- especially during election cycles (2-3 daily during the California recall election).
Weekly political commentary for KLIV radio, San Jose, since October 2003.
External Program Reviewer, Department of Political Science, California State University, San Luis Obispo, April 2004.
Consultant, Charter Review Committee, City of Oakland, June 2003.
External Program Reviewer, Department of Political Science, Santa Clara University, May 2003.
External Program Reviewer, Department of Political Science, California State University, Hayward, March 2003.
Invited Participant, Scholars Conference on Civic Education, Center for Civic Education, Washington, DC, May 31-June 3, 2002.
Co-Founder, Consultant and Trainer, Labor/Community Leadership Institute, since 1997.
Organizer and Moderator, Preparing Future Faculty Conference, Stanford University and San Jose State University, January 31 and February 1, 2002. In cooperation with Colorado University and Metropolitan State University, Denver; funded by a grant by the American Political Science Association.
Organizer, Moderator and Coordinator, Local Officials Leadership Academy. The first in a continuing training program for new and on-going council members and their staffs, including ethics, media, working with bureaucracy, etc. January 2001.
Planning Committee, Eighth Annual California Policy Issues Conference of the Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs, Los Angeles, CA, November 15, 2000.
Panelist, “Herding Cats? Challenges of Governing California’s Major Regions,” Eighth Annual California Policy Issues Conference of the Pat Brown Institute, Los Angeles, CA, November 15, 2000.
Western Political Science Association Annual Meeting, March 24-26, 2000. Local Politics Section Coordinator (5 panels with 26 participants, selection of papers, panel chairs and discussants); Chair, Roundtable on High Tech and Politics; Participant, Roundtable on Labor and Politics; Participant, CSU Chairs on Assessment; Local Arrangements Committee – fundraising ($6200) and organizing reception.
Community Outreach Coordinator and Hearing Panelist, California Faculty Association Hearing on the Future of the California State University, March 14, 2000.
External Program Reviewer, Department of Government, California State University, Sacramento, April 1998.
Reviewer for Tenure and Promotion Committee, Santa Clara University, Fall 1997.
Research grants from the National Science Foundation, Sourrisseau Academy and University Foundation; numerous Lottery Grants.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Wang Family Excellence Award, San Jose State University nominee in Social and Behavioral Sciences and public Services.
“Community Activist Extraordinaire,” United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County, October 18, 2003.
American Leadership Forum (ALF) Fellow, Class of 2002-2003.
Moccasin Award for Community Service, City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, 2000.
Starfish Award and Team Hero, City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley Young Heroes (the “Terry Christensen Team” of 12-13 year olds did community service for 14 Saturdays), 1999.
Outstanding Professor, San Jose State University, 1997-1998.
Outstanding Faculty Person, 1997-1998, Disability Resource Center.
Performance Salary Step Increase for “exceptional performance in professional attainment,” SJSU, 1996, 1997.
San Jose State University Presidential Special Recognition Award, 1997.
Project Interchange (Israel) Fellow, 1995.
Meritorious Performance and Professional Promise Award, SJSU, 1984, 1988, 1990.
“Best Professor,” in “Best of the (San Francisco) Peninsula,” Peninsula Magazine, January 1987.
Bill Casey Memorial Award for best contribution to SAN JOSE STUDIES, Volume 10 (1984).
Movers and Shakers Award, Santa Clara County AFL-CIO, 1982.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Advisory Board, City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, since 1997.
Chair, Program Committee, Silicon Valley Forum of the Commonwealth Club, since 1997.
Co-Convenor and Instructor, Labor/Community Leadership Institute, a program for union leaders and legislative staffers through the SJSU Professional Development Center, since 1997.
Delegate, Santa Clara County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, since 1973.
Judge, Vietnamese Spring Parade, February 1, 2004.
Selection Committee, American Leadership Forum, 2003.
San Jose City Council Redistricting Committee, 2001.
San Jose Downtown Strategy Task Force, 2000-2001.
Transition Advisory Task Force for San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales, December 1998-January 1999.
Redevelopment Advisory Task Force for San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales, February 1999 to April 1999.
Co-Chair, Community Celebration and Swearing in of San Jose Councilwoman Cindy Chavez, February 4, 1999.
“The San Jose Mayoral Debate,” Program Committee Chair, co-sponsored by the Silicon Valley Forum of the Commonwealth Club of California and the San Jose Mercury News, San Jose Repertory Theatre, May 11, 1998.
“The Senatorial Debate,” campus coordinator for a debate of the major contenders for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senator, co-sponsored by the San Jose Mercury News, May 28, 1998.
“The San Jose Mayoral Debate,” Program Committee Chair and Moderator, co-sponsored by the Silicon Valley Forum of the Commonwealth Club of California and the San Jose Mercury News, October 1998.
Charter Revision Committee, Santa Clara County, 1997-1998.
Co-Chair, Eureka! Symposium on the California Budget (hosting 100 community leaders), March 21, 1997.
Community Charter Group, Council on Tax and Fiscal Policy, Joint Venture/Silicon Valley, 1997.
Board of Directors, Campaign Ethics Foundation, since 1997. Co-host, Campaign Ethics Forum, April 29, 1997.
Local Government Commentary for Cupertino’s Live Election Coverage, November 4, 1997.
Military Academy Nominations Panel, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, 1995-1997.
Extra Share Committee for allocating Progressive Way funds to nonprofit organizations, 1996.
Staff volunteer for Don Foster, MP, UK House of Commons, 1992-1993.
Consultant, San Jose Redistricting Committee, 1991.
Anchor/commentator, “The Propositions,” a ten-part series on the 1988 California ballot measures for KTEH-TV.
President, Board of Directors, Communication Advocates (providing public relations for non-profit organizations), 1982-1985.
Downtown Working Review Committee, a blue-ribbon advisory group on redevelopment in San Jose, 1980-1983.
San Jose Film Festival, President 1982-1983; Vice President, 1984; Advisor, 1985.
Consultant, scriptwriter and co-host, “Cafe San Jose,” (public affairs pilot program that later became a series), KTEH-TV, San Jose, 1982.
California Democratic Party State Central Committee, 1980-1982.
Chair, Neighborhoods for District Elections, 1978.
Consultant, San Jose Charter Review Committee, 1976, 1977.
Chair, Central San Jose General Plan citizen review, 1975-1976.
Chair, Central San Jose Projects 75, a citizen review of San Jose capital improvement needs, 1974-1975.

RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS (2000-2004 Only)

Moderator, “Forum for Candidates for Assembly District 23,” Salamanca Speaker Series, February 29, 2000.
“The Political Impact of the Census: Redistricting,” Labor Community Leadership Institute Alumni, March 13, 2000.
“Primary Election Analysis,” Century Club, March 17, 2000.
“San Jose Politics, Sprawl and Affordable Housing,” Unitarian Housing Class, March 18, 2000.
“Primary 2000 Election Analysis,” DTV, March 22, 2000.
“California Politics,” Humanities 2B, SJSU, April 3 2000.
“The Arts and City Politics in San Jose,” Creative Arts 175B, April 11, 2000.
“Silicon Valley/Profiles in Power,” moderator and panelist for Commonwealth Club, Silicon Valley, August 31, 2000
“Introduction to San Jose/Silicon Valley” for City Year Corps members, September 11, 2000.
“Council and Administration: Building Good Working Relationships,” co-presenter and facilitator for a retreat workshop for the top administrators for the City of San Jose, September 28, 2000.
Visioning Session with US Secretary of Commerce Norman Y. Mineta, October 23, 2000.
Chair and Panelist, “Election Briefing” for Political Science Alumni Association and Commonwealth Club/Silicon Valley, October 26, 2000.
Chair, “The Industry Plays Politics,” panel discussion on high tech and politics for the Commonwealth Club/Silicon Valley, November 1, 2000.
“Election 2000” for North San Jose Rotary, November 10, 2000.
“Election Post Mortem,” for Democratic TV (DTV), November 11, 2000.
“Power and Influence in San Jose,” for the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, November 16, 2000.
“Inside the Campaigns,” San Jose/Santa Clara League of Women Voters, November 20, 2000.
“Election Results and Recap,” for the Silicon Valley Breakfast Club of the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, November 21, 2000.
“Coming to College/Presidential and Local Politics,” for Mt. Pleasant High School Honors in Government Class, December 7, 2001.
“Introduction to San Jose” for National Forum for Black Public Administrators Executive Leadership Institute, March 14, 2001.
“Women and Latinos in San Jose Politics,” for Latina Political Leadership Forum, March 24, 2001.
“Redistricting: National, State and Local,” for “Straight Talk,” on community cable television, April 21, 2001
“Introduction to San Jose and Silicon Valley,” City Year Staff Training Workshop, July 17, 2001.
“Becoming a Master Student,” three workshop sessions for New Student Orientation, August 20 and 22, 2001.
“Introduction to San Jose and Silicon Valley,” City Year Corps Member Training Workshop, September 14,2001.
“Public Opinion Polls and Political Campaigns,” Guest Lecture, Political Science 107, September 24, 2001.
“Political Ten Chairs,” “Civics 101,” and “Community Power Analysis,” (3 sessions) for the Labor Community Leadership Institute, October 4 and 17, 2001.
“Introduction to San Jose” for the Executive Leadership Institute, National Forum for Black Public Administrators, October 19, 2001.
“The Coming Election and Its Prelude,” for Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, Breakfast Club, November 27, 2001.
“Campaign Watch,” organized and chaired panel discussion and viewing of the first debate by the Republican candidates for governor, January 22, 2002.
“Power and Politics in San Jose,” Faith in Action Training Series, Interfaith Council, February 12, 2002.
“Off to the Polls with Terry and Larry” for the Salamanca Speaker Series and the SJSU Political Science Alumni Association, February 27, 2002.
“Election 2002,” Rotary Club of North San Jose, March 8, 2002.
“Election 2002,” Century Club, March 15, 2002.
“Election 2002,” Democratic Television (DTV), March 16, 2002.
Moderator, “Careers in Political Science” Panel, SJSU, April 16, 2002.
“Political Participation,” “Civics 101” and “Community Power Structures.” Three sessions for the Labor/Community Leadership Institute, Spring 2002.
Panelist, Town Hall Meeting on Downtown San Jose, May 6, 2002.
Chair, Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley “Back to Vietnam” with author David Lamb, June 6, 2002.
“Communities and Regional Problem-Solving” for Leadership Los Gatos, June 7, 2002.
Participant (by invitation), Silicon Valley Civic Forum, June 12, 2002.
“City Halls and Civic Engagement,” Community Forum on the New San Jose Civic Center, August 5, 2002.
“Introduction to San Jose,” City Year Silicon Valley Americorps training, September 10, 2002.
“Community Action in San Jose: A Short History,” for People Acting in Community Together (PACT), October 13, 2002.
“Election 2002,” the Inaugural Richard Harrington Memorial Lecture at The Villages, October 16, 2002.
“Election 2002,” for the San Jose Leadership Council, October 23, 2002.
“The Environment for Visioning and Change,” for the Executive Leadership Institute of the National Forum of Black Public Administrators, October 26, 2002.
“Election Day 2002,” for the San Jose Leadership Council, November 5, 2002.
“Analysis of the Election of 2002,” for the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group Breakfast Club, November 7, 2002.
“Analysis of Election 2002” for the Democratic Century Club, November 15, 2002.
“Analysis of Election 2002” for Democratic TV (DTV), taping November 16, 2002.
“Lifelong Learning,” for CityYear Corps, November 21, 2002.
“Latinos and the 2002 Election,” for the Silicon Valley Latino Democratic Forum, December 2, 2002.
“San Jose Political History,” Mt. Pleasant High School Unitrack American Government Class, December 12 and 19, 2002.
“A Conversation about the Seventh Edition of California Politics and Government,” Provost Goodman’s radio program, January 29, 2003.
University Scholars, talk on the Seventh Edition of California Politics and Government, February 5, 2003.
“Power and Politics in Silicon Valley,” an interactive lecture/workshop for Faith in Action, March 13, 2003.
“Intro to SJSU’s MPA Program and Power and Politics in Silicon Valley and Beyond,” San Jose Department of Public Works, Monthly Executive Management Meeting, April 17, 2003.
“California Politics and the Budget Crisis,” SJSU Humanities 2B, April 29, 2003.
“Hi, My Name’s Terry and I’m a Professor,” Careers Panel, Kennedy Elementary School, May 20, 2003.
“Regional Governance in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area,” for Leadership Los Gatos, June 6, 2003.
“Deconstructing a San Jose City Council Meeting,” League of Women Voters San Jose/Santa Clara, August 23, 2003.
“Recall!” for onTopic (Comcast Cable, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Cruz), a one-hour conversation, August 29, 2003.
“Intro to San Jose/Silicon Valley,” City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, September 8, 2003.
“Recall!” Panel for Commonwealth Club/Silicon Valley, September 8, 2003.
“Recall and Repercussions,” Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, SJSU Center for Professional Development, September 17, 2003.
Moderator, “The Impact of the Recall Election on Silicon Valley,” American Leadership Forum, September 19, 2003.
Panelist, “Recall!” for the Knight Fellows, Stanford University, September 22, 2003.
Commentator and facilitator, “A Conversation on the Recall Election,” San Jose Leadership Council, September 22, 2003.
“The Recall and What It Means for California,” Exchange Club of San Jose, September 30, 2003.
“Recall and the Future of Silicon Valley Politics,” Grand Opening of the Technology Center of San Jose City College, October 8, 2003.
“Recall: The Morning After,” College of Social Sciences, Dean’s Honor Seminar, October 8, 2003.
“Analyzing the Recall,” Century Club, October 10, 2003.
“Total Recall,” with Larry Gerston, two sessions for the SJSU Alumni College, October 11, 2003.
“Community Activist Extraordinaire,” workshop for United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County, October 18, 2003.
“Searching for a New SJSU President,” SJSU Emeritus Faculty Association, October 31, 2003.
Neighborhoods for District Elections 25th Anniversary Reunion, Organizer and Master of Ceremonies, November 7, 2003.
“The Politics of Affordable Housing,” for the Affordable Housing Coalition, December 8, 2003.
“The Recall and California’s Future,” Monthly Management Meeting, City of San Jose, January 30, 2004.
“Civic Engagement,” panelist for American Leadership Forum, February 21, 2004.

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