Stephen R. Rock

Dr. Stephen R. Rock is Professor and Chair of Political Science at Vassar College, where he has taught since 1987. He holds a BA from Miami University-Oxford, an MA and PhD from Cornell University. His scholarly work examines the origins of great power reconciliation, inter-state influence strategies, and the interplay between religion and US foreign policy.

His research interests include deterrence, appeasement, and the ethical dimensions of international conflict, with a focus on just war theory and the religious right's impact on policy. Courses taught encompass introductory international politics, US foreign policy, defense strategy, and the ethics of warfare.

Administratively, he has served as Acting Dean and Associate Dean of Faculty. Beyond academia, he is an amateur bicycle mechanic and enjoys hands-on projects.