Fred Wacker,  Associate Professor / Law & Society, Immigration & Race Relations, Social Problems / mailto:roland.wacker@wayne.edu

Professor Wacker (Ph.D. in History; J.D. in Law) has established himself as a scholar in both historical and legal fields.  In the field of immigration and race, he has published a book and several chapters in collections and articles in several journals.  He continues to work in immigration studies, but is currently working on the history and public policy implications of gambling.  His most recent publications are on the introduction of casino gambling into the Midwest, in towns, Native American reservations, and especially in the city of Detroit.  He is completing a manuscript on gambling in Detroit, focusing upon the legal, regulatory, economic and social issues raised by the three casinos now in operation.

I live in Ann Arbor with my lady, Muray. I have two children, John (35, M.A. in Counseling) and Margaret (23, just graduated from U.M.). I enjoy sports (especially golf) and music (especially blues and jazz). 

Teaching Philosophy and Practice: 

• Never be boring in lectures 

• Work in small groups 

• Expect students to prepare questions and participate in weekly small group discussions 

• First essays assignments can be rewritten for a higher grade 

• I prefer to give take-home essays, but I do give an occasional quiz after devoting class time to reviewing the material 

• Directed study students choose their own topics and are responsible for narrowing their topics. 

• Library and web research at a college level are expected at all times.