Jonathan Dahlsten
Postdoctoral Fellow
Jonathan Dahlsten is a political theorist whose research explores civic education and formation through the history of political thought. His research has been published in Political Research Quarterly. His current book project “The Formative Festival” recovers a neglected tradition of civic festivals as sites of public formation and education in the thought of Plato, Rousseau, and Nietzsche. He teaches widely in political theory and American politics. His awards include the Bilinski Educational Foundation Dissertation Fellowship and the Marvin Zetterbaum Award for Excellence in Teaching. He received his B.A. from Carleton College and his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Davis.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Political Science from University of California-Davis
Political Theory
Tuesdays 10am-12pm
Fall 2025
CIV 312P Constitutional Principles: Core Texts



