Overview
My pedagogical approach emphasizes the development of higher order skills, their application in students’ education, and, therefore, preparation for success in and beyond academia in addition to acquisition of course-specific knowledge. I help students to attain these objectives through presentation of course content in ways that appeal to individuals with different learning styles; emphasis on active learning facilitated by class discussions and group work; critical examination of theories, concepts, and empirical evidence from a variety of perspectives and using multiple methods of analysis; and hands-on research informed by ongoing formative assessment.
I have applied this teaching philosophy to courses on comparative politics, African politics, the politics of international development, and research design and methods that I have taught at two research universities (Nazarbayev University and the University of Toronto) and a liberal arts college (Sewanee: The University of the South). The syllabi for all my courses, along with class slides, assignment instructions, and other resources for students, can be found below.
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Nazarbayev University
PLS 140: Introduction to Comparative Politics
Syllabus
Class slides
Assignment instructions: 1) group paper, 2) individual paper, and 3) presentation
PLS 210: Political Science Research Methods
Syllabus
Class slides
Assignment instructions: 1) literature review, 2) research design, 3) data collection and analysis, and 4) presentation
PLS 341: Politics of Development
Syllabus
Class slides
Assignment instructions: research project
Theories and explanations of development handout for students
Essay writing tips for students
PLS 343: Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
Syllabus
Class slides
Assignment instructions: research project
PLS 395: Special Topics in the Politics of the Global South—Independent Study
Syllabus
Assignment instructions: 1) literature review 1 and 2 and 2) desk research
PLS 495: Special Topics in the Politics of the Global South—Research Practicum
Syllabus
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Sewanee: The University of the South
POLS 329: Comparative African Politics
Syllabus
Class slides
Assignment instructions: 1) research project 1 and 2) research project 2
POLS 280: Politics of Development and Foreign Aid
Syllabus
Class slides
Assignment instructions: 1) country expert paper and 2) research project
POLS 227: Africa in World Politics
Syllabus
Class slides
Assignment instructions: 1) case study presentation, 2) comparison essay, 3) research project, and 4) debate
POLS 103: Introduction to Comparative Politics
Syllabus
Class slides
Assignment instructions: 1) analysis assignments 1 and 2, 2) research project, and 3) group activities 1 and 2
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University of Toronto
POLC42: Topics in Comparative Politics—African Politics
Syllabus
Class slides
POL201: Politics of Development—Issues and Controversies
Syllabus
Class slides