Teaching Philosophy

My primary goal as an educator is to equip students with analytical tools and practical skills for assessing the political world with critical thought and empathy for marginalized populations. I draw on my comparative training to emphasize the skill of applying broad concepts to specific cases, and I foster student ownership of their learning by providing opportunities to explore regions and political issues that fit their personal and professional interests. Learning from people from a diverse set of backgrounds is one of the most valuable opportunities for growth, so I strive to foster an environment where students can learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives. Leaving my class, students should have a deeper understanding of how socio-political structures create differentiated opportunities across groups as well as a stronger ability to communicate this analysis in writing.

Courses Taught at Washington University in St. Louis:

• L32 4095 Research Design and Methods
  • Fall 2024, Fall 2025
  • Senior thesis preparation course
  • Syllabus
• L32 3074 United Nations Institutions and Processes
  • Fall 2024, Fall 2025
  • Syllabus
• L32 3075 International Organizational Research
  • Spring 2025
  • Syllabus
• L32 4060/5060 Forced Displacement and the Politics of Seeking Refuge
  • Spring 2024, Spring 2025
  • Syllabus
• L32 428 Comparative Political Behavior and Identity
  • Spring 2024, Spring 2025
  • Syllabus
• L32 2100 Introduction to Migration Policy and Politics
  • Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Summer 2025, Fall 2025
  • Syllabus
• L32 4100 Fascism and the Far Right in Europe
  • Fall 2023, Fall 2024
  • Syllabus
• L32 4060 Senior Seminar: Religion, Politics, and Community
  • Fall 2023
  • Syllabus
  • Religious Studies Worksheet for Article Analysis

Courses Taught at the American University of Sharjah:

• INS 340 Fascism and the Radical Right in Europe
  • Spring 2023
  • Syllabus
  • Final Project and Paper
• POL 201 Introduction to Political Studies
  • Fall 2022, Spring 2023
  • Syllabus
  • In-Class Activity_Exploring Political Attitudes Using the Arab Barometer
  • In-Class Activity_ Exploring Party Position Data Using the Chapel Hill Expert Survey
  • In-Class Activity_ Exploring Regime Measurement Data Using Freedom House and V-Dem
  • In-Class Activity_ Ordinary Language Interviews and Conceptualizing Democracy
  • POL 201_Writing Workshop

Courses Taught at UNC-Chapel Hill:

• POLI 239 Introduction to European Government
  • Fall 2020 (online), Spring 2021 (online)
  • Syllabus
• POLI 255 International Migration and Citizenship Today
  • Summer 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020 (partially online)
  • Syllabus
• POLI 788 Data Analysis for Social Science
  • Grader and Tutor: Fall 2018
• POLI 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics
  • Teaching Assistant: Spring 2018
• POLI 150 International Relations and World Politics
  • Teaching Assistant: Fall 2017

Additional Syllabi

• Comparative Politics
• Introductory Research Methods
• Religion, State, and Society in Europe

National Model United Nations Undergraduate Committees Directed in New York:

• UN General Assembly First Committee
  • Director: Fall 2023
  • Background guide authorship: Conflict and Natural Resources
• UN Population Fund
  • Director: Spring 2020 (cancelled due to COVID-19)
  • Background guide authorship: Committee Overview
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Director: Spring 2019
  • Background guide authorship: Strengthening the Capacity of Refugee Resettlement Countries
• Economic and Social Council
  • Director: Spring 2018
  • Background guide authorship: Committee Overview (ECOSOC); Addressing the Migration Situation in Libya (International Organization for Migration, co-authored)
• Commission on the Status of Women
  • Assistant Director: Spring 2017
  • Background guide authorship: Enhancing Women’s Role in Peace Processes and Political Transition; Women’s Economic Empowerment in a Changing World of Work (update)