TEACHING
Teaching Approach
My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that the best learning happens when students are actively engaged. I strive to create an environment that is interactive, thought-provoking, and connected to the world beyond the classroom. My primary goal is to help students approach political science with confidence and curiosity, making theoretical concepts accessible and directly relevant to their lives.
One of the aspects I most enjoy about teaching is making data and quantitative methods approachable. For many students, these topics can feel intimidating at first. To demystify them, I emphasize practical, hands-on projects. For example, in my Latin American politics courses, I draw on data from Vanderbilt University’s Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) to show how data illuminates political dynamics. By guiding students through real-world examples and providing structured support, I help them see data analysis as an engaging tool for understanding politics rather than a barrier.
My approach centers on breaking down complex concepts into manageable steps and using collaborative projects to build confidence. When students analyze public opinion data, I provide frameworks that help them navigate statistical techniques and interpret findings. This balance of support and independence ensures that students engage with data meaningfully while developing practical research skills.
Classroom engagement is vital. I incorporate activities that connect course content to current events and historical examples, encouraging students to link theory to practice. Participation and discussion are central: I prioritize active conversation where students challenge ideas, share perspectives, and build knowledge collectively. These discussions foster critical thinking and help students apply their understanding to real-world problems. Equally important is creating an inclusive classroom. I value the diverse perspectives and backgrounds students bring and adapt my methods to accommodate different learning styles. My goal is to ensure that all students feel respected, supported, and empowered to contribute meaningfully.
Finally, I aim to equip students with skills that extend beyond political science. My courses emphasize writing, analysis, and research—transferable skills that enhance students’ professional opportunities and their ability to critically engage with the world around them. I want students to leave my classes not only with a stronger grasp of political science but also with tools they can use in any field.
My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that the best learning happens when students are actively engaged. I strive to create an environment that is interactive, thought-provoking, and connected to the world beyond the classroom. My primary goal is to help students approach political science with confidence and curiosity, making theoretical concepts accessible and directly relevant to their lives.
One of the aspects I most enjoy about teaching is making data and quantitative methods approachable. For many students, these topics can feel intimidating at first. To demystify them, I emphasize practical, hands-on projects. For example, in my Latin American politics courses, I draw on data from Vanderbilt University’s Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) to show how data illuminates political dynamics. By guiding students through real-world examples and providing structured support, I help them see data analysis as an engaging tool for understanding politics rather than a barrier.
My approach centers on breaking down complex concepts into manageable steps and using collaborative projects to build confidence. When students analyze public opinion data, I provide frameworks that help them navigate statistical techniques and interpret findings. This balance of support and independence ensures that students engage with data meaningfully while developing practical research skills.
Classroom engagement is vital. I incorporate activities that connect course content to current events and historical examples, encouraging students to link theory to practice. Participation and discussion are central: I prioritize active conversation where students challenge ideas, share perspectives, and build knowledge collectively. These discussions foster critical thinking and help students apply their understanding to real-world problems. Equally important is creating an inclusive classroom. I value the diverse perspectives and backgrounds students bring and adapt my methods to accommodate different learning styles. My goal is to ensure that all students feel respected, supported, and empowered to contribute meaningfully.
Finally, I aim to equip students with skills that extend beyond political science. My courses emphasize writing, analysis, and research—transferable skills that enhance students’ professional opportunities and their ability to critically engage with the world around them. I want students to leave my classes not only with a stronger grasp of political science but also with tools they can use in any field.
|
Intro to Comparative Politics
This course presents a comparative study of political organization and behavior in a range of countries beyond the United States. It presents an introduction to the range of questions asked by comparative politics and to the types of government practiced today, as well as preliminary tools to understand how political science develops and tests its theories and hypotheses. Students explore the ways in which political science makes comparisons across systems, and will learn contemporary explanations for a number of political phenomena. Some of the themes will include theories of the state, democratic and non-democratic government, democratization, economic development, and state-society relations. Students will also explore a number of cases in depth, first as a class and then on their own, to understand how broader theory can inform our understanding of specific political events. The course will also explore how political scientists present evidence and make claims about how political structures work and why things happen the way they do. |
Intro to American Politics
The primary purpose of this course is to introduce students to the science of American politics, and to teach students how to think critically and analytically about the relationship between Americans and their government. We examine the dynamics of the American political system as it faces the challenges of the 21st century. Along the way, we question why government works as it does and trace the effects of the country’s method of conducting public business. In pursuing this course of inquiry, the hope is that students will learn not only about the specific form of science conducted in one discipline, but also receive a taste of the broader methods and vocabulary of social science. Politics and Society in Latin America
This course offers a thorough exploration of Latin American politics, concentrating on the 20th century. Key topics include the effects of the Cold War, domestic social struggles, economic development strategies, the hurdles to democratic consolidation, and U.S.-Latin America relations. Students will also delve into the emergence of influential political movements, such as those led by women and indigenous groups, and examine current political dynamics. By integrating thematic studies with detailed case analyses, this course provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the political landscape in Latin America. |
Race, Ethnicity, and Quantitative Methodologies (University of Michigan, ICPSR Summer Program)
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the major theories and empirical approaches to studying race and ethnicity in Political Science. While doing so, we will spend a considerable amount of time in understanding, dissecting, and extending the methodologies employed in the study of race and ethnic Politics. The course assumes a basic knowledge of statistics, and familiarity with linear regression. By the end of this course, students will be able to: Understand and analyze major theoretical debates in the field, identify appropriate methodological approaches, grow a critical outlook in recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of different methods, and replicate and extend existing empirical work in political science on race and ethnicity by using different statistical software. The Ultimate goal of this course is to develop a comprehensive understanding of studying race and ethnicity with a strong emphasis on quantitative methods.
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the major theories and empirical approaches to studying race and ethnicity in Political Science. While doing so, we will spend a considerable amount of time in understanding, dissecting, and extending the methodologies employed in the study of race and ethnic Politics. The course assumes a basic knowledge of statistics, and familiarity with linear regression. By the end of this course, students will be able to: Understand and analyze major theoretical debates in the field, identify appropriate methodological approaches, grow a critical outlook in recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of different methods, and replicate and extend existing empirical work in political science on race and ethnicity by using different statistical software. The Ultimate goal of this course is to develop a comprehensive understanding of studying race and ethnicity with a strong emphasis on quantitative methods.