My teaching philosophy revolves around ensuring that I am preparing students for the real world of politics. Specifically, I help students learn to think critically about the political information they receive in their day-to-day lives so that they can make sense of the political world. To do this, I encourage students to talk to one another, ask questions about the course material, and tie the topics discussed in class to their own lives.
The classes that I have taught and been a Teaching Assistant for are displayed on this page, in addition to courses I am prepared to teach, with links to syllabi.
Women and American Politics (Syllabus)
Course Description: In this course, students will learn about the role of gender in American politics by examining women voters, candidates, and officeholders. The first part of the course will center around women voters, including both the struggle for suffrage and women's voting choices today. The second part of the course will center around women who seek and hold political office, both how they gain political office and what they do once they gain it. Students will learn how gender affects the decisions that voters and members of both Congressional and state legislatures make.
Introduction to American Politics
Spring 2024
Keeping the Republic
One Discussion Section
Fall 2023
Introduction to American Politics
One Discussion Section
Spring 2023
Gender, Politics, and Power
Fall 2022
U.S. Legislatures: Congress and the States (Syllabus)
Course Description: The laws that govern the United States are written in legislatures. At the national level this happens in Congress, but each state’s legislature operates differently and writes laws to impact their own state’s people. Congress and state legislatures affect people’s lives, and it is important to understand the similarities and differences between them, what each level of legislature does, and the kinds of laws that come out of each legislature. This class is structured to help students understand the origins of the laws that impact their lives and the challenges that legislators in both levels of institutions face, as well as equip them with the ability to engage with these legislatures.
Introduction to American Politics (Syllabus)
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with the workings of the American government. Students will leave this course able to explain the rules of American government for members of both the public and the government and how they work in practice. We will review the Constitution, federalism, the three branches of the federal government, public opinion, elections, and state government.