Where am I?
Jack Luzkow
BIOGRAPHY
Jack Luzkow earned his undergraduate degree in history at Wayne State University in Detroit. It was there that he studied with several professors who had an impact on his subsequent development as a historian. Roberto Giammanco was his first mentor. From Professor Giammanco he learned about the entire world of the Italian Renaissance, European art, and later European intellectual history, which Professor Giammanco wrote about at length. Professor Luzkow was also fortunate to study with Dr. John Weiss, a noted authority on the Holocaust and European intellectual history. Later, Professor Luzkow studied Russian history with the renowned Dr. Theodore von Laue at Washington University. Dr. von Laue motivated Professor Luzkow to become a lifelong student of Russian and Eastern European history. Dr. Luzkow earned his doctorate in European history at Saint Louis University, where he specialized in French social and intellectual history.
TEACHING
As a university professor, Dr. Luzkow has broadened his interests and expertise. He teaches the Holocaust because he considers it to be the pivotal point in modern European and global history. He has taught Russian history, the history of political thought, and, lately, the Bosnian genocide along with a colleague. Professor Luzkow also teaches the history of the Middle East, a personal and professional interest of his, and the history of Asia.
SCHOLARSHIP
Dr. Luzkow remains active as a historian. He has published two books. One book, entitled What’s Left?: Marxism, Utopianism and the Revolt Against History, explores the development of the idea of Utopia before and in the aftermath of 1989. A second book, The Revenge of History, explains why the End of History did not occur in 1989 or since. Currently, Dr. Luzkow is writing a book about the impact of globalization on the politics of the West; part of this study is a comparative analysis of the virtues and liabilities of liberal democracy versus social democracy.
TRAVEL/STUDY ABROAD
Jack Luzkow travels widely through Europe, and often summers in Russia. He believes that education is only possible by exploring other cultures and histories in their geographic settings; which is why he promotes study abroad opportunities. He has spent time in Berlin, where he has recently established a study abroad program for Fontbonne students. He is also looking for other study abroad opportunities in Europe, such as Sarajevo. Dr Luzkow, the chairman of History, Philosophy and Religion, welcomes all inquiries from anybody who would like to know more about the study of history at Fontbonne University.