I teach undergraduate courses in American politics. I approach all of my courses with two main goals – first, to facilitate students’ mastery of course content and, second, to encourage them to meaningfully engage with the course in order to improve their analytical, oral, and written communication skills. Political knowledge is central to a more engaged citizenry. Stated plainly, a person who knows something about the political world around them and who can thoughtfully articulate that knowledge is more likely to care about and participate in their communities and political system. Our nation and world are facing complex public policy problems – we need more, not less, participation from citizens to address these challenges.
Some of these courses, such as Introduction to Political Science, are offered every year while the upper level courses listed below are typically offered every other academic year. Students seeking information about course requirements for the Political Science and International Affairs majors should consult our Department’s webpage.
Survey of the basic concepts and theories of political science, including comparative analysis of political institutions and ideologies. This course is required for Political Science and International Affairs majors and also fulfills a course in Social Sciences for the University’s General Education requirements.
Analysis of the structure and performance of the policy making process in the U.S. Congress, including the history and evolution of institutional rules and behavior of institutional actors that influence policy outcomes. This course is typically taught as Writing Intensive.
Study of the U.S. federal courts system, including the role of law and lawyers in society, the impact and limitations of court and judicial systems on public policy, the decision-making patterns of actors, as well as theoretical and research models for studying the judicial process. This course is typically taught as Speaking Intensive.
Examination of women as emerging political players in the U.S. as voters, activists, candidates, and officeholders. We will explore women’s history as political outsiders, strategies for gaining political power, and evolution of specific public policies that affect their lives and opportunities. This course is typically taught as either Speaking or Writing Intensive. This course is also cross-listed with the Women’s and Gender Studies major.
Analysis of the ways that gender structures the political and policy space in the U.S., including an investigation of women’s status as individuals, partisans, partners, caregivers, and workers as well as how differences and inequalities among women impact health and well-being, home life, and work. This course is also cross-listed with the Women’s and Gender Studies major.
Interdisciplinary approach to the study of how race and ethnicity inform all aspects of the U.S. political system, including how race and ethnicity have been defined and employed by American political institutions and actors, how groups seek representation and influence, and how groups pursue preferred policies and issues. This course is a major elective for Political Science & International Affairs.
This seminar for First Year students introduces the basic rules and structure of the American electoral system, including an examination of the strategic decisions of candidates, political parties, the media, voters, and interest groups.