He was the director of the Western Civilization program for nine years where he inaugurated a “transcultural approach” to the teaching of the traditional survey. He has authored France and Algeria: A History of Decolonization and Transformation, coauthored The Historical Dictionary of Algeria, and coedited State and Society in Algeria. He has published numerous articles, papers, and reviews, and produced CD-ROM projects. In 1996 Naylor received the Reverend John P. Raynor, S.J., Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence at Marquette University. In 1992 he received the Edward G. Roddy Teaching Award at Merrimack College.