Classes

"When the student is ready, the teacher arrives." -- Confucius

I teach two different classes at the University of New Mexico. Below are links to the syllabi for this semester or, if I am not teaching the particular class this semester, the most recent incarnation.

- Political Science 200, Introduction to American Politics

- Political Science 260, Political Ideas

I have taught other classes at other institutions. These include Introduction to Political Science and Comparative Politics.

Review Sheets

- Political Science 200, Exam 1 Review Sheet

- Political Science 200, Exam 2 Review Sheet

- Political Science 200, Exam 3 Review Sheet

- Political Science 260, Exam 1 Review Sheet

- Political Science 260, Exam 2 Review Sheet

Tips:

I’ve been told by more than one student that my introductory courses are a little harder than most of the others in the department. I guess this might be true, but I honestly believe that if a student is expected to perform at a certain level, that they will rise to that level. However, a few tips might be in order.

· Read. If you are having problems, read. Re-read the material, read the syllabus. What do you think you should be getting from it? What do you think I want you to get from it?

· Ask. Ask questions in class, after class, before class, or during office hours. There may be times when I am not able to help in a specific moment because of other commitments, but those are rare. I will do my best to make sure you understand what you need to so that you can pass my class. I can’t help you when you are failing during the last week of classes.

· Listen. If you need help and come ask, be willing to not just hear me talk but to listen as well. If you want to understand class material, be open and listen. Listening is not just a physical act; it also means acting on that information in a positive and constructive manner. If you find out you need to do something, it doesn’t help to just know that information. You need to go do it as well.

· Participate. I am a fervent proponent of classroom rapport and interaction. The best way for me to make sure you, as a student in one of my classes, understand what I am trying to get across to you is to have you interact with me and the other students in class. I am more than willing to chat about most subjects, personal and otherwise, outside of class time. This helps set up a welcoming atmosphere that fosters open discussion in class. Most students learn by getting their hands into something, doing it for themselves. The best way to do this with information that we deal with in politics, short of going out into the real world and doing it, is to discuss it at length in class. This may slow down class, yes. We might even get a little behind. However, that is more than worth it to me to have you all go away from my class with a better understanding of the material.