[5] Hunter began his career at Westmont College as assistant professor of sociology during 1982–1983.
He has also served on boards for the Pew Charitable Trusts and the National Commission on Civic Renewal.
As of 2018[update] Hunter had written nine books, edited four books, and published a broad range of articles, essays and reviews - all variously centered around the issue of meaning and moral order in a time of cultural and political change in American life.
[8] His authored books include Culture Wars: The Struggle to Define America (1991), which describes a battle for control of American culture and social institutions fought between conservative religious groups (Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish) and their politically progressive counterparts.
[10] While serving as the LaBrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture, and Social Theory at the University of Virginia, Hunter has taught a variety of courses to both graduate and undergraduate students.