John teaches Comm1313 Analysis of Argument and Comm1101H Honors: Introduction to Public Speaking. His interest in the construction of arguments both oral and written dates back to his high school & college debate experience and was developed by stints in corporate America and the study of how people create meaning from religious texts. He has taught other argument related classes, including dealing with technical presentation and created and taught a class on how religious traditions develop arguments using their sacred texts.

He has published articles on politics in Iran, humor in religious institutions, and database design, and has several unpublished novels. He is a published poet. He has led several study abroad trips to Greece. He is the co-author (with Edward Schiappa) of an argumentation textbook, Keeping Faith with Reason.

He received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980. He has taught at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, Wartburg College and in continuing education and corporate settings.

He views argumentation theory as illuminating a wide range of discourse, not only public policy disputes. He volunteers as a High School debate coach and as a Reserve Police officer.