IHS Program Director Phil Magness sits down with Kevin Currie-Knight, PhD student at the University of Delaware and frequent Kosmos contributor, to talk about his research and dissertation – specifically the thoughts and arguments of prominent 20th century libertarians surrounding education policy.

So, I have six applications to fill out, which means six cover letters to write, which means six departments’ websites to become familiar with. I have to write out my teaching statement and research statement, and X College wants me to write a whole new document addressing how my teaching fits in with the liberal arts tradition. Oh, and don’t [...]

Whether you are applying for academic jobs, applications to graduate schools, or something else, the importance of a good cover letter to an application cannot be overestimated. The cover letter is the first thing your application reviewer will see; it announces your interest in the position and briefly describes why you are attracted to, and should be considered for, the [...]

Higher Education in the United States is changing. Enrollments are growing faster than any decade since the 1960s, and today there are more than 18 million undergraduates and nearly three million graduate students. At the same time, tuition keeps climbing. At public universities, which enroll about 80 percent of students, tuition over the last decade rose by more than 5% [...]

Graduate students, if you’re interested in honing your research and teaching skills this summer, IHS has some great opportunities: Liberty & the Art of Teaching Workshop The Liberty & the Art of Teaching Workshop  taking place June 28-30 at Towson University in Towson, MD welcomes teachers, both new and experienced, to discuss and experiment with best practices for the university [...]

Dr. Bruce Yandle published his original paper, “Bootleggers and Baptists” in 1983. Looking back on the last 30 years and this important theory of regulation Dr. Yandle was gracious enough to talk with IHS Economics Program Officer Mario Villarreal-Diaz about the legacy of this theory, it’s current applications, and to share encouraging words for young classical liberal scholars in their [...]

February 12 is President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. To commemorate we have put together a collection of libertarian history readings on Lincoln as a president and the American Civil War. Included in this collection are essays and interviews that were published here on Kosmos as well as other suggested reading from our History Program Officer Phillip Magness. In these writings you [...]

Is it okay for the government to shape your decisions for your betterment? Dr. Bill Glod, IHS Program Officer in Philosophy interviews Dr. Glen Whitman about New or Libertarian Paternalism and behavioral economics. In this Kosmos Online podcast, they discuss the behavioral economics knowledge problem, positive and negative liberty, nudge, and the challenges of new paternalism for individual liberty in government policy. [...]

Whether you are interviewing for faculty positions or for grad school, here’s a piece of advice on handling interview questions: every question is a request for you to tell your interviewer more about you. Questions such as, “Tell us a bit about you,” or “Tell us more about your research interests,” obviously fall into this category. Other questions – “How [...]

Last week, January 1, 2013 marked the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. For those of you who missed Phil Magness’ webcast last month, our in house Civil War and Lincoln historian has written up a reflection on the Emancipation Proclamation that we’ve republished with his permission. ***** On September 22, 1862 Abraham Lincoln issued what has since become known as the [...]