I currently teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in the following areas:
- Congress and Legislative Policymaking
- American Political Institutions & Policy Processes (graduate seminar)
- Political Organizations–Parties, Interest Groups, and Social Movements
- Political Persuasion & Advocacy Strategy
- Quantitative Research Methods
Each of my courses is built around a final project that simulates what a professional working in the area (e.g., a legislative staffer, a policy advocate, or researcher) would regularly produce. These projects include: a first draft of a scholarly paper; an advocacy portfolio of documents in many policy-relevant genres; a persuasive presentation graded solely on its success in persuading classmates to support a policy. I make developing and improving some aspect of this final project the explicit goal of course readings, meetings, and formative assignments. This approach helps students see the immediate applicability of even the most abstract course concepts, and thereby encourages focus and engagement.