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Philip Vandermeer

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SHPRS History Faculty
Emeritus Professor
Faculty,
Emeritus College
Emeritus Professor
Partnership for Community Development
Faculty,
Biography: 

Philip VanderMeer is an Emeritus Professor of History in the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies. His research and publications touch various areas of American political and social history. His work on urban and Southwestern history includes Desert Visions and the Making of Phoenix, 1860-2009 (2010), preceded by a history of postwar Phoenix, "Phoenix Rising (2002), plus several articles. His most recent work is a political biography of an outstanding Arizona figure, exploring the nature of political leadership and the changes in state government and federalism during the postwar era. This study of Burton Barr: Leadership and the Transformation of Arizona Politics was published in 2014. His current projects include a study of Phoenix area canals and an analysis of immigrant neighborhood and community development in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1870-1930.

A second area of expertise is Gilded Age-Progressive Era politics. His study of The Hoosier Politician focuses on political careers and legislative behavior, while various articles examine the nature of third parties, bosses and political machines, a comparison of Congress and state legislatures and the 1952 presidential election.  Most recently he coedited the Oxford Encyclopedia of American Political and Legal History (2012). His interests also include a social analysis of religion in America, reflected his book on Belief and Behavior (1991), and the development of the legal professional in the Midwest, a longterm research project from which he has produced numerous scholarly papers.

Before coming to Arizona State University in 1985, Professor VanderMeer received his doctorate from the University of Illinois and taught at Purdue University and the University of Texas at San Antonio. He has frequently taught graduate courses on community history and on urban history, and an undergraduate seminar on Southwestern urban history, as well as graduate seminars on 20th century Western political history and an undergraduate course on American political history since 1750. His other teaching areas include graduate and undergraduate courses on the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, and on quantitative methods. He has received five nominations for university or college teaching awards.

VanderMeer has served on the governing boards of the of Social Science History Association and the Society of Historians of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, he has been on numerous committees for those organizations and the Organization of American Historians, and he has served as the Treasurer of SHGAPE and the Treasurer of Social Science History Association. In addition to serving on the Executive Board of the Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, he has been the editor of SSHA News and a book review editor for Computers and the Humanities, as well as for H-SHGAPE.  He has held leadership positions associated with various H-NET discussion lists and has been a frequent referee for various journals and publishers, as well as serving on panels for the NEH and the Department of Education. Interested in developing various media, he has worked with publishers on web projects and on historical videos.

VanderMeer's service at ASU includes service as president of the University Senate and chair of the University Academic Council (2008–9), and continuing member of that council (2009 to 2011). He has served on numerous university and senate committees.  In 2007–08, he served as president-elect of the Tempe campus Senate, and he had previously served a number of years in the Tempe and CLAS senates. He has extensive experience within the university, particularly on curricular matters, chairing the College Curriculum Committee and the University General Studies Council and as a member of the university's curriculum committee. He has served various roles within the History Department, including associate chair, and head of the History Faculty 2011 to 2013.

At present he is serving on the Council of the Emeritus College, and he is also a member of the ASU University Senate.

Education: 

Ph.D. University of Illinois

Publications: 
  • Philip R. VanderMeer. Burton Barr: Political Leadership and the Transformation of Arizona. (2014).
  • Philip R. VanderMeer. "The Valley of Fear: Political Change, Housing Reform, and Anticommunism in Phoenix, 1950 to 1970,". Journal of Urban History (2013).
  • Philip R. VanderMeer. Hiram Johnson. Oxford Encyclopedia of American Political and Legal History (2012).
  • Philip R. VanderMeer and Donald T. Chritchlow, eds. The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Political and Legal History. (2012).
  • Philip R. VanderMeer. "Cities in the Cold War Era: Phoenix , 1952-1989". Richardson Dilworth, ed., Cities in American Political History (2011).
  • Philip R. VanderMeer. "Cities in the NeoLiberal Era: Phoenix, 1989-2011.". Richardson Dilworth, ed., Cities in American Political History (2011).
  • Philip R. VanderMeer. Desert Visions and the Making of Phoenix, 1860 to 2009. (2010).
  • Vandermeer, Philip R. John P. Altgeld. Yale Biographical Dictionary of American Law (2009).
  • Vandermeer, Philip R. Postwar Phoenix: Intentional Change and Essential Continuities. Provincias Internas: Continuing Frontiers (2007).
  • Vandermeer, Philip R. Phoenix. Encyclopedia of American Urban History (2006).
  • Vandermeer, Philip R. Phoenix. World Book Encyclopedia (2006).
  • Vandermeer, Philip R. Gold Bugs. Dictionary of American History (2003).
  • Vandermeer, Philip R. Lorna Lockwood. Encyclopedia of Women in the American West (2003).
  • . . Review of: WHO COUNTS? (2003).
  • Vandermeer, Philip R (Author) . The Election of 1952: Mid-Century Turning Point. American Presidential Campaigns and Elections (2003).
  • Philip Vandermeer. The Historical Patterns of Arizona Leadership. Building Leadership in Arizona (Arizona Town Hall) (2002).
  • Vandermeer, Philip R. Phoenix Rising: The Making of a Desert Metropolis. (2002).
  • . . Review of: DICTIONARY OF MISSOURI BIOGRAPHY (2002).
  • Vandermeer, Philip R (Author) . Hiram Johnson and the Dilemmas of California Progressivism. The Human Tradition in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era (2000).
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
HST 792Research
HST 799Dissertation
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
HST 792Research
HST 799Dissertation
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
HST 792Research
HST 799Dissertation
Presentations: 
  • Philip R. VanderMeer. "History, Public History, and the Changing University.". Organization of American Historians (Apr 2013).
  • Philip R. VanderMeer. Comment: "A Re-evaluation of Women in Early Arizona,". Arizona Centennial Conference (Apr 2012).
  • Philip R. VanderMeer. "Money and Politics, Will Things Ever Change?" comment. Past and Future of Conservatism: Politics and Policies Conference (Apr 2012).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. "Local Politics and the Interplay of Urban Renewal, Public Housing, and Housing Reform in Phoenix, 1950 to 1970.". International Planning History Society Conference (Jul 2008).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. Transforming Desert Visions: The Growth of Phoenix, 1860-2006. Urban History Conference (Oct 2006).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. Conservatism and Urban Development in Phoenix. Social Science History Association Conference (Nov 2005).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. The Shape of Postwar Arizona Politics. AZ Politics and Presidential Elections (Sep 2005).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. Progressive Reforms: The Nation, the States, and Arizona. Arizona History Fest (Apr 2005).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. Phoenix History: Downtown and Suburbia, 1945-1990s. Phoenix Seminar (Feb 2005).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. Teaching Political History. Social Science History Association Conference (Nov 2004).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. Intentional Change and Essential Continuities in Postwar Phoenix. The Provencias Internas: Continuing Frontiers (Mar 2003).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. Thinking About Lawyers: Biography, Time and Place, and the Development of Legal Careers in the Midw. Great Lakes History Conference (Nov 2001).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. Organizational Crises: Local and State Bar Associations in the Midwest, 1890-1920. Great Lakes History Conferences (Oct 2000).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. The Failure of Professionalization: Midwestern State Bar Associations 1880-1920. Missouri Valley History Conference (Mar 2000).
  • Vandermeer, Philip. The Fall and Rise of Downtown Phoenix. Wednesday Lectures
Service: 
  • Executive Board, Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Member (2014 - Present)
  • Soc. Historians Gilded Age Progressive Era, Treasurer (2014 - Present)
  • Public History - History, SHPRS, Director (2012 - Present)
  • Arizona History Convention Board, Board member (2012 - Present)
  • Arizona History Convention Board, Board member (2012 - Present)
  • Arizona History Convention Board, Board member (2012 - Present)
  • SHPRS Transition Committee, member (2011 - Present)
  • Midtown Neighborhood History Project, public lecture (2010 - Present)
  • Online Degree Committee, chair (2010 - Present)
  • Online Degree Committee, chair (2010 - Present)
  • Society Historians Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Council Member (2005 - Present)
  • Executive Board, Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Member (2003 - Present)
  • Executive Board, Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Member (2003 - Present)
  • Executive Board, Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Member (2003 - Present)
  • Executive Board, Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Member (2003 - Present)
  • Executive Board, Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Member (2003 - Present)
  • Executive Board, Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Member (2003 - Present)
  • H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Member (2002 - Present)
  • H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Member (2002 - Present)
  • H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Member (2002 - Present)
  • H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Member (2002 - Present)
  • H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Member (2002 - Present)
  • Managing Board, H-AMINDIAN (H-NET project), Member (1997 - Present)
  • Managing Board, H-AMINDIAN (H-NET project), Member (1997 - Present)
  • Managing Board, H-AMINDIAN (H-NET project), Member (1997 - Present)
  • Managing Board, H-AMINDIAN (H-NET project), Member (1997 - Present)
  • Managing Board, H-AMINDIAN (H-NET project), Member (1997 - Present)
  • Managing Board, H-AMINDIAN (H-NET project), Member (1997 - Present)
  • Editorial Board, H-POL, (H-NET electronic discussion list on political history), Member (1993 - Present)
  • Editorial Board, H-POL, (H-NET electronic discussion list on political history), Member (1993 - Present)
  • Politics Network, Social Science History Association, Chair (1985 - Present)
  • Politics Network, Social Science History Association, Chair (1985 - Present)
  • Politics Network, Social Science History Association, Chair (1985 - Present)
  • Politics Network, Social Science History Association, Chair (1985 - Present)
  • Politics Network, Social Science History Association, Chair (1985 - Present)
  • Politics Network, Social Science History Association, Chair (1985 - Present)
  • Social Science History Association, Executive Committee (2008 - 2016)
  • Social Science History Association, Treasurer (2008 - 2016)
  • KAET TV, PBS Horizonte newsprogram, interviewee (2014 - 2014)
  • Arizona History Convention, Goldwater Prize Committee (2014 - 2014)
  • KJZZ Here and Now Program, interviewee (2014 - 2014)
  • History, Hiring Priorities Committee, chair (2014 - 2014)
  • National Endowment for the Humanities,, Media Projects panelist (2014 - 2014)
  • KJZZ Radio, interviewee (2014 - 2014)
  • History, Public History Qualifying Exams, grader (2014 - 2014)
  • KJZZ Radio, interviewee (2014 - 2014)
  • History - SHPRS, Faculty Head (2011 - 2014)
  • SHPRS, History, Faculty Head (2011 - 2014)
  • History - SHPRS, Faculty Head (2011 - 2014)
  • American Historical Association, Tuning Project, member (2012 - 2013)
  • Public History - History, SHPRS, Director (2012 - 2013)
  • Soc. Historians Gilded Age Progressive Era, Treasurer (2004 - 2013)
  • Society Historians Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Council Member (2005 - 2013)
  • Social Science History Association, Treasurer (2008 - 2012)
  • SHPRS Transition Committee, member (2011 - 2012)
  • History Online Degree Program Committee, chair (2011 - 2012)
  • Social Science History Association, Committee on Constitutional Revision, Member (2010 - 2011)
  • Committee on SSH Publishing, Member (2008 - 2011)
  • Executive Committee, ASU Academic Senate, Member (2006 - 2011)
  • Executive Committee, ASU University Senate, Member (2006 - 2011)
  • University Senate taskforce on the Arizona Higher Education Enterprise proposal., member (2010 - 2011)
  • ASU University Senate, Parliamentarian (2010 - 2011)
  • ASU Accreditation Task Force, Chair of a task force (2011 - 2011)
  • History education Search Committee, member (2010 - 2011)
  • University Senate, Parliamentarian (2010 - 2011)
  • American Indian History Search Committee, Member (2009 - 2011)
  • University Senate, , Past President, Tempe Campus (2009 - 2011)
  • University Academic Council, Member (2007 - 2011)
  • University Academic Councili, Member (2007 - 2011)
  • Arizona Faculties Council, member (2007 - 2011)
  • Program consultant for Midtown Neighborhood History Project, funded by the Arizona Humanities Council, consultant (2010 - 2011)
  • University Senate, ACD Manual Revision Taskforce, member (2008 - 2010)
  • Executive Council, Society of Historians of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Member (2005 - 2010)
  • Soc. Historians Gilded Age Progressive Era, Treasurer (2004 - 2010)
  • Goldwater Chair, chair (2009 - 2010)
  • Chicano History search committee, chair (2009 - 2009)
  • Chicano History search committee, chair (2009 - 2009)
  • Committee on SSH Publishing, Member (2008 - 2009)
  • Intercollegiate Athletic Board, member (2007 - 2009)
  • Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure, ex officio, member (2008 - 2009)
  • University Academic Council, Chair (2008 - 2009)
  • University Committees, member (2008 - 2009)
  • American Indian History Search Committee, Member (2008 - 2009)
  • NCAA Self-Study Certification Committee, Member (2008 - 2009)
  • Financial Review Committee, Society Historians Gilded Age Prog.Era, Member (2008 - 2009)
  • Awards Committee, Society of Historians of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Member (2006 - 2008)
  • Executive Council, Social Science History Association, Member (2005 - 2008)
  • National Endowment for the Humanities, Panelist - Division of Public Programs (2008 - 2008)
  • American Indian History lecturer/H-AmIndian Search Committee, Member (2008 - 2008)
  • ASU Academic Senate, Parliamentarian (2006 - 2008)
  • General Studies council, member (2007 - 2008)
  • Governance Grievance committee, Observer (2007 - 2008)
  • Academic Senate, President-elect (2007 - 2008)
  • Committee on Committees, Member (2007 - 2008)
  • CLAS Curriculum Committee, Chair (2006 - 2007)
  • CLAS Faculty Senate, Member (2006 - 2007)
  • ASU Academic Senate, Member (2004 - 2007)
  • History Department Web Development Committee, Member (2006 - 2007)
  • Constitutional Revision Committee, Society of Historians of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Chair (2006 - 2006)
  • Personnel and Advisory Committee, Member (2004 - 2006)
  • Nominating Committee, Society of Historians of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Member (2006 - 2006)
  • Nominating Committee, Society of Historians of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, Chair (2003 - 2006)
  • H-SHGAPE (H-NET electronic discussion list), Book Review Editor (1995 - 2006)
  • Social Science History Association, Session organizer (2004 - 2005)
  • Review panel, Division Public Programs, National Endowment for the Humanities, Member (2005 - 2005)
  • CLAS Curriculum Committee, Member (2004 - 2005)
  • University Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee, Member (2001 - 2005)
  • University Main Campus Curriculum Subcommittee, Member (2001 - 2005)
  • We the People debates , Dobson High School, Mesa, Judge (2005 - 2005)
  • Graduate Lecturer Prize committee, Chair (2004 - 2004)
  • Program Committee, Social Science History Association, Member (2003 - 2004)
  • Editorial Board, H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Member (2002 - 2004)
  • Global Video Corp, Video Script Consultant (2002 - 2004)
  • Political History Network, Social Science History Association, Convener, Chair (1985 - 2004)
  • Dissertation defense, Graduate College representative (2004)
  • U.S. 20th Century and IT Search Committee, Chair (2002 - 2003)
  • Graduate Committee, Member (2003)
  • Addison, Wesley, Longman, Web Site Evaluation (2003 - 2003)
  • CLAS Learning Communities Committee, Member (2002 - 2002)
  • University Assessment Council, Member (2001 - 2002)
  • University General Studies Council, Chair (2000 - 2002)
  • Editorial Board, H-SHGAPE (H-Net electronic discussion list), Member (1993 - 2002)
  • 2010 Committee, Member (2001 - 2001)