Teaching

My main teaching interests are in International Relations theory, US Foreign policy, security-related topics like the politics of nuclear weapons, and methodology. At the University of Reading I also developed a module for the Army Higher Education Pathway, for the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

At the University of Reading I usually teach:

PO2MIR Modern International Relations

This module provides an advanced analysis of the principal theoretical approaches to international politics, as well as coverage of a selection of major issues on the international stage, including globalization, conflict, nuclear weapons, and terrorism.

PO3NUK The Politics of Nuclear Weapons

How do nuclear weapons affect international politics? How likely is nuclear war or nuclear terrorism? How dangerous is nuclear proliferation? Is nuclear disarmament possible? This module examines the historical, and political contexts for nuclear policy making, including the development of nuclear weapons by states, the evolution of nuclear strategy, the role nuclear weapons play in international politics, the risks posed by nuclear arsenals, and the policies and strategies in place to mitigate those risks. Emphasis is given to political and technical considerations affecting national choices. The module considers the issues surrounding non-proliferation strategies, nuclear security, and next steps for arms control.

PIM85 Qualitative Methods for Politics and International Relations

This module covers the basics of research design and focuses attention on a range of widely used qualitative research methods in the study of politics and international relations. The main topics covered normally include case studies and within-case analysis, small-n comparative analysis, historical approaches, archival research, interview technique, critical discourse analysis, ethnographic methods and qualitative comparative analysis.