My teaching interests within American politics include elections, Congress, political polarization, and public opinion. I also enjoy teaching classes focused on on public policy, undergraduate research methods, and academic writing.
As of July 2022, I am a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Kenyon College. This coming semester, I am teaching PSCI/AMST 200D: Liberal Democracy in America and PSCI 303: Campaigns and Elections.
Previously, I taught at Duke University, offering courses in in the Departments of Statistical Science and Political Science and in the Thompson Writing Program. I have also taught courses in the UNC Political Science Department and the MPA@UNC program.
Teaching is incredibly rewarding because it allows me to channel my expertise into guiding students’ educational journey. My classes are usually a mix of short lectures intertwined with other modes of learning, such as class-wide discussions, simulations, and activities that emphasize specific skills. I design my lectures to not be a one-sided conversation, but rather promote critical thought and provoke responses from students. I also incorporate active learning into my classes with simulations and discussions.
Here are sample syllabi from two of the courses I have taught:
Statistics 101: Data Analysis and Statistical Inference Introduction to statistics as a science of understanding and analyzing data. Themes include data collection, exploratory analysis, inference, and modeling. Focus on principles underlying quantitative research in social sciences, humanities, and public policy. Research projects teach the process of scientific discovery and synthesis and critical evaluation of research and statistical arguments. Readings give perspective on why in 1950, S. Wilks said, “Statistical thinking will one day be as necessary a qualification for efficient citizenship as the ability to read and write.”
Writing 101: Congress and Quantitative Writing The American people widely view Congress to be a dysfunctional institution, with a 2013 Public Policy Polling poll rating Congress as less popular than cockroaches, root canals, and the band Nickelback. Yet despite this unpopularity, most members of Congress who seek reelection continue to win. In this course, we will look at how scholars explain puzzles about Congress such as this through writings including theoretical essays, descriptive analyses, and quantitative research articles.