Teaching

“One of the best professors I’ve had in my four years at OSU. Jon clearly cared about students and their learning. He made it a very welcoming classroom even when some made radical comments. I am not even interested in political science and you made it where there was always an engaging lesson.”
Intro to US Government

“I have very minimal interest in government, but professor Ruff made me look forward to class every day. I recommend the class and definitely the professor, he made everything interesting and related class to real life very easily.”
State & Local Government

“This class was the one class all year that truly made me think, and gave me opportunities to form several ideas and concepts that I hope to apply down the line. Dr. Ruff was also, by far, my favorite professor all year. He was engaging, intelligent, flexible, and very down to earth. I always look forward to this class, and it is one of the few that can get me to get out of bed even if I oversleep.”
Public Administration

Undergraduate Courses

Introduction to US Government

POLS: 100 On-Campus & E-Campus

Description and analysis of American politics and government, including interest groups, political parties, elections, media, the presidency, Congress, the Constitution, and the courts.

State & Local Government

POLS 210: On-Campus

Role, organization, and functions of government at the state and local level. Satisfies teaching certification requirement for course work in state and local government.

Science & Politics

PS 476: On-Campus & E-Campus

Analyzing the relationships between science and the political system in political ideas and history, in bureaucratic politics of science policy, and in contemporary scientific disputes.

Public Administration

POLS 320: On-Campus

Explores the intersection of political ideals and the realities of governance by introducing students to the central theories, values, and practices that shape how government and public organizations function in a democratic society.

Public Policy Problems

PS 371: E-Campus

The policies and politics of adoption and application of such policy areas as defense, poverty and welfare, economics, and regulation.

Political Science Capstone

POLS 489: On-Campus

Emphasizing applied research design, ethical human subjects research – this course serves as the capstone experience for the Political Science major to apply the knowledge, theories, and analytical skills developed throughout the major.

Graduate Courses

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching helps students understand how government works, how public problems are defined, and how citizens, elected officials, and administrators shape public life. Across my courses, I emphasize applied learning, clear communication, and respectful engagement across difference.

I design courses around active learning, writing, research, discussion, and real-world examples. Whether online or in person, I want students to leave class with stronger confidence in their ability to analyze public issues and communicate about them with depth and care.

My teaching interests include American government, state and local governance, public administration, public policy, science and technology policy, and research methods.