Teaching
Teaching Philosophy
In all of the courses I teach, two objectives are central. First, I seek to give my students the analytical tools and the theoretical and conceptual frameworks necessary for them to understand the complexities of international politics. The second goal is to give students a stake in their own education by engaging them in an active process of learning. To this end I rely on a variety of active-learning techniques, including role-playing, simulation, games, and case discussions to make the theoretical and conceptual material I am presenting more immediate and relevant. Through the use of active techniques, the students are given an opportunity to develop and refine their critical thinking skills by applying what they learn in a way that makes the information far more accessible.
I have also found that popular media can be introduced into the classroom as a potent teaching tool. Thus I use movies, both features and documentaries, as vehicles to illustrate or expand upon a specific theoretical or conceptual argument: I treat films the same as case studies, real-world examples of political phenomena that can spark critical discussion and analytical thinking.
I am a demanding instructor. I demand a lot of myself in the classroom, and in return I demand and expect high-quality work from my students. I push them, and I push myself. More often than not, my students respond positively.
Courses I regularly teach
PS 1600 Issues in World Politics – Introduction to the study of world politics and the main issues confronting the international community in the 21st century. Emphasis on the impact of cultural, economic and political globalization on international politics and individual lives.
PS 3610 United States Foreign Policy – Examination of American foreign policy process, focusing on the impact of domestic social, political, and bureaucratic determinants of foreign policy and the constraints imposed by the international system. Main instruments of foreign policy, for instance, diplomacy, military power, economic statecraft, covert action, are considered and evaluated.
PS 3750 International Conflict and Security – Examination of the conditions that make for war and peace in world politics, and the range of possible approaches that might help to manage or prevent conflict in the future. Factors contributing to conflict within and between states are considered.
PS 3755 International Negotiation and Bargaining – Negotiation theories and practice, focusing on understanding differing approaches to negotiation and explaining bargaining outcomes. Emphasis on hands-on learning through simulation, role-playing exercises, and case analysis.
PS 3780 International Terrorism: Causes, Consequences, Responses – Exploration of terrorist motivation and ideology, methods, and the effectiveness of international and state-level responses to terrorist challengers.
