James Hooks

James Hooks is a Lecturer and Assistant Director at the Hamilton School of Classical and Civic Education, University of Florida. His roles include academic advising, course coordination, and overseeing operations for the School. He holds a D.Phil. in Theology and Religion from the University of Oxford (2023), an M.A. in Theological Studies from Regent College (2018), and a B.A. in Humanities from Athabasca University (2012).

His research focuses on the intersection of religion and political thought after the Protestant Reformation, particularly examining how concepts like salvation and human nature shaped early modern European society. Central to his work is the study of Pierre Bayle’s justifications for religious toleration and their influence in 18th-century England. He also analyzes Bayle’s engagement with natural law and biblical scholarship, as well as the intellectual legacy of Mary Astell through her marginalia in the Pepys Library collection. His broader interests include secularism, Cartesian philosophy, and the history of toleration.

James has taught courses such as The American Idea, (Un)Common Reads: The Case for Conscience, and Civil Discourse and the American Political Order across Canada, Japan, and the UK. Prior to his academic roles, he served as Finance Manager at the Canterbury Institute, managing operational budgets, administering the Barry Scholarship, and coordinating academic programming. He actively collaborates with faculty and students at Oxford and is involved in interdisciplinary projects at the Hamilton School.

In his advising and grants work, James supports students through the Hamilton School’s programs and has experience administering scholarship funds. His current research on Astell’s engagement with French Cartesianism bridges early modern religious and philosophical thought.