teaching

I teach a range of subjects relating to the environment, development, Africa, public policy and administration, comparative politics, and local and urban politics. Between 2013-2016, I was my department’s Undergraduate Program Director, and then Department Chair between 2016-2020. As a result, I taught fewer courses between 2013-2020 than an average faculty member in my Department. I share copies of syllabi (course outlines) below, but some will be dated. I share my outlines because I have gained from consulting other outlines online, and from people sharing their outlines with me. When I borrowed an assignment idea or course framing idea directly from someone, I say so in the outline. If you like one of my assignment designs or framings and plan to use it in your own course, please let me know and share your outline with me.

Pedagogically, I try to integrate experiential learning opportunities into all of my classes - undergraduate and graduate. I find ways for students to go outside, observe the world, reflect on it, and link their observations to course themes and theories. When possible, I collaborate with people or organizations in the community. Beyond in-person and video guest speakers, I routinely have students engage in independent and group activities such as engaging with social media, playing video games, or having game jams in class. Please reach out if you want to connect about teaching in general or specifically in relation to course topics below.