As an instructor in political science, my teaching philosophy is oriented around three guiding principles:

1. Creating a balance between context-provision and opportunities for active learning.
2. Using inquiry-based and problem-based learning to provide both conceptual and area-specific knowledge.
3. Making content compelling: political science can and should be a fun and engaging subject for students.

In this post, I wrote about how I try to put these principles into practice in the classroom.

Chinese Politics

Graduate Student Instructor, Winter 2024

This course is a broad introduction to the main issues of contemporary Chinese politics and social change. The course had three sections: 1) an overview of Chinese history from the fall of the Qing Dynasty to the reform era, 2) an examination of current Chinese political institutions and the social and economic challenges China is currently facing, and 3) China’s relationship with the world. The instructor of record was Professor Mary Gallagher.

I designed several activities to deepen student understanding, a selection of which I have made publicly available here.

Southeast Asian Politics

Graduate Student Instructor, Fall 2023

This course provided an introduction to the politics and political economy of Southeast Asia. Beginning with a historical overview of Southeast Asia, the course then turned to in-depth country case studies and concluded with an overview of regional issues surrounding development. The instructor of record was Professor Allen Hicken.