Teaching Evaluations

Download a copy of my teaching evaluations and teaching philosophy by clicking here. 
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​Course Syllabi
Below are several syllabi from courses I have taught at Colby College and the University of Virginia. When given to students, all syllabi are "clickable," directing students to various readings on UVa's Collaboration website. Due to copyright restrictions, these features are not-available on this site. 

The American Presidency

This course interrogates the constitutionalizing of “executive power” in American political development.  It explores what power presidents have gained and lost in the country’s constitutional history, paying particular attention to the expectations and problems confronting modern presidents. It also considers how constitutional obligations and popular expectations conflict with other ideals of democratic government, including American federalism and separation of powers.
go211_-_american_presidency_-_fall19.pdf
File Size: 490 kb
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Constitutional Choice and Its Consequences 

This is a course about change and continuity in American politics. Topics include the development of various political institutions in the United States (presidency, Congress, state and local government), but also the creation of the welfare state, the administrative state, the carceral state, and other mediating institutions such as the press and public schools. Key themes include the role of the State in shaping citizens, the success and failure of various reform movements, and the role of cultural prejudices in Americas exceptional development
plap_3500_apd_-_academic_term.pdf
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Introduction to State and Local Politics
Introduction to American Government
​By the end of this course students will be able to speak and write about political issues that are central to state and local governance; discuss the philosophical and theoretical arguments undergirding state and local governance in the American constitutional system; compare political processes at the state and federal level; describe and evaluate the institutional changes that have altered the relationship of power between and among localities, states, and the federal government; and write a position paper that evaluates and proposes an institutional reform or policy change needed at the state or local level. 
This course surveys the fundamentals of American government and politics. It emphasizes constitutional development and political science’s role in analyzing and evaluating institutional and cultural change since the founding period. This course does not use a textbook, and instead relies on historical and contemporary works of political science in order to facilitate the student’s understanding of American politics.
ps250_-_state_and_local_government.pdf
File Size: 303 kb
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ps150_-_american_governmen.pdf
File Size: 423 kb
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Summative Assessments

Debate Topics and Expectations 
Introduction to American Government

Each student will select one of the topics listed and develop an argument in response to the debate question. Students will work collectively, in groups no larger than three per side of the debate.
group_debate_guidelines.pdf
File Size: 211 kb
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Post-Debate Paper 
Introduction to American Government
Each student will write a paper on the debate topic they selected. They may incorporate any material used in preparation for the debate in writing this paper. Students do not need to maintain the same position or argument. Students should use the instructor’s comments, the opposition’s counter-argument, and their peers’ questions to construct a more robust argument.  
paper_assignment.pdf
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Policy or Political Reform Brief
​Introduction to State and Local Politics
Working in groups no larger than three, each student will write a paper that studies a potential policy or political reform – a “brief”. Students must submit their briefs to an elected official at the state or local level. 
policy_or_political_reform_brief.pdf
File Size: 219 kb
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Writing Rubrics

One of my goals has been to help undergraduate students better understand what good writing looks like in the social sciences. Additionally, it has been to help my colleagues more clearly convey these expectations and to more objectively evaluate essays, term papers, and research designs. Below are a sample of writing rubrics designed for and implemented in several courses I have taught or have assisted in teaching. Feel free to adapt and use.