Richard Schur

Richard Schur is a Professor of English at Drury University and Director of the Honors Program since 2015, with faculty service since 2001. He previously served as Director of the Interdisciplinary Studies Center (2003-2010) and Founding Director of the Law & Society Program (2011-2015).

His educational background includes a B.A. in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1991), a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin (1994), and a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Kansas (2000).

Dr. Schur's research centers on racial narratives in American culture, critically examining intersections of literature, law, ethics, and popular music. His work analyzes African American literary representation, hip hop aesthetics, intellectual property frameworks, and ethical dimensions of cultural production, with particular focus on how racial identity is constructed across media and legal contexts.

His 2012-2015 publications demonstrate sustained engagement with African American cultural production, revealing connections between hip hop's legal challenges and literary representation while exploring historical narratives in regional contexts like Springfield.

Dr. Schur's recognition includes:

• 2006 Faculty Award for Liberal Learning
• 2008 Joel Weixlmann Award from the African American Review
• Fulbright German Studies Seminar Fellowship
• National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute Fellowship

He has secured competitive grants through the AACU Shared Futures Project and maintains an active teaching portfolio across English, Political Science, Philosophy, and Drury's core curriculum, including courses on American Popular Music and Human Trafficking that reflect his interdisciplinary approach to ethical and cultural analysis.