Brandeis University
I teach courses on international relations and security studies at the undergraduate and graduate level. In my teaching, I aim to spark passion for international relations, cultivate transferable skills, and guide students in seeing how they can apply social science theories to solve real-world problems.
I currently offer the following courses:
POL 15A: Introduction to International Relations (undergraduate) This course introduces the study of international relations, integrating theory, history, and current events to help students understand issues and trends in international relations. The course covers questions such as: what causes war and how do wars end? How can states cooperate to solve collective problems like climate change? What are the major threats facing states today? What does the rise of China mean for international order? The course is organized in three parts: 1) tools for understanding international relations, 2) the international system in historical perspective, and 3) contemporary challenges in international relations.
POL 165A: Dilemmas of Security Cooperation (undergraduate / graduate) This course examines the causes and consequences of security cooperation, exploring the dilemmas that can arise when states seek to cooperate in the security domain. Security cooperation is a major feature of international relations, with powerful actors like the United States spending billions each year on efforts to arm, equip, and train partner militaries around the world. But efforts to increase security through security cooperation can lead to unintended consequences both for governments and their populations. This course explores different dilemmas across a range of topics, including alliances, proxy warfare, arms transfers and military aid, peacekeeping, and security outcomes ranging from combat effectiveness to political violence and human rights.
POL 168B: American Foreign Policy (undergraduate / graduate) This course introduces students to the field of American foreign policy. The course examines different schools of thought on the purpose and priorities of American foreign policy, traces the historical evolution of American foreign policy, and analyzes contemporary issues facing the United States. Students also learn about the domestic actors involved in policymaking—including the president, Congress, and the bureaucracy—and the instruments of foreign policy. The course begins by analyzing the roots of American foreign policy and policymaking processes before turning to the history of American foreign policy and contemporary issues.
Teaching evaluations and syllabi available upon request.