17th/18th century British literature, especially satire, was his original specialty in graduate school. But lately Erickson teaches almost as many writing courses as literature courses, including a modern fiction course at least once year.

He has taught courses in Japanese literature in translation, especially on Augustana's Asian Term Abroad.

He was one of the original teaching team for the FOUNDATIONS program, and has been involved in one way or another with most other interdisciplinary programs at Augustana,. He helped start the first Environmental Sequence, for instance.

Lately Erickson has been researching--as one of of the first fellows of the Lilly Center for Vocational Reflection---the history, theory, and practice of liberal education,. He is also very involved in the shaping of Augustana's new general education curriculum.