SPIA Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award, April 2025

University of Georgia, School of Public and International Affairs 

Interdisciplinary University Teaching Certificate, Completed Spring 2025

Future Faculty Fellowship, January 2025-December 2025 

University of Georgia, Center for Teaching and Learning and Graduate School 

Peer Learning Assistant Faculty, Since January 2025

University of Georgia, Office for Student Success 

Microteach Facilitator, September 2025-November 2025

University of Georgia, Center for Teaching and Learning 

POLS 7770: Graduate Student Teaching Seminar

Offered: Fall 2025

Course Description: This course serves as an introduction to becoming a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and Instructor of Record (IoR) in political science at the University of Georgia. It is the discipline-specific equivalent to the GRSC 7770 course required for all new GTAs by the University. Students will explore formal policies and procedures while developing practical teaching skills through hands-on activities, peer collaboration, and reflective practice. The course covers essential topics including classroom management, pedagogical methods, assessment design, technology integration, and strategies for teaching politics in today's complex environment. Through workshop attendance, micro-teaching experiences, and ongoing reflections, students will build confidence and competence as emerging GTAs and IORs in political science while learning to create intentional and engaging learning environments for undergraduate students.

Learning Objectives: 

By the end of this course, UGA wants you to be able to:

1. Describe the different duties that may be assigned to you in your role as a TA, and comply with relevant Federal, State, and UGA policies and procedures 

2. Identify campus resources to support both your instructional duties and your students’ learning.

3. Use evidence-based strategies to effectively and efficiently complete instructional tasks (including skills related to planning and presenting lessons, developing assessments or rubrics, grading and giving feedback, and using eLC in your role as TA).

4. Explain how your role is critical to building an inclusive learning environment for all students.

5. Intentionally reflect on your teaching practices and strategies.

Department specific goals that complement UGA’s TA policy learning objectives: 

1.     Learn how to implement USG requirements for American Government 

2.     Gain skills to moderate tough conversations in the current political environment 

3.     Where to find teaching resources and support for the discipline 

View Syllabus 

POLS 4510: Public Opinion and American Democracy

Offered: Fall 2025 

Course Description: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of public opinion in American democracy. Students will examine fundamental questions about the nature, measurement, and political influence of public opinion. The course explores how public attitudes are formed and measured, who participates in shaping collective opinion, and the complex relationship between elite leadership and mass preferences. We will investigate the competence of the American electorate, the evolution of public opinion over time, and its impact on democratic governance. Through empirical analysis and theoretical frameworks, students will develop critical and analytical skills in evaluating polling data, understanding opinion formation processes, and assessing the health of democratic representation in contemporary America.

Learning Objectives: 

1. 1. 1. Define public opinion and critically evaluate methods for measuring it, including the strengths and limitations of polling techniques

      2. Analyze the relationship between elites and mass opinion, assessing whether leaders shape or follow public preferences

      3. Examine patterns and changes in American public opinion over time, identifying who participates in opinion formation and whose voices are heard

      4. Evaluate the role of public opinion in democratic governance, including debates about electoral competence and its implications for democratic quality

View Syllabus 

POLS 4570: Race, Ethnicity, and Politics 

Offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2025

Course Description: This course will serve as an introduction to research on Race, Ethnicity, and Politics (REP) in the United States. While mainly focusing on work in political science, we will take a multi-disciplinary approach to investigate the history of race in America and the political consequences that stem from that history. Students will be introduced to both canonical and contemporary work in the field of REP using a variety of methodological approaches. The course begins by focusing on theoretical conceptions of race and ethnicity and how they inform notions of citizenship and group membership. Subsequent topics focus on issues related to identity formation, stereotypes, campaigns, media, participation, partisanship, and more. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the differences between race and ethnicity

2. Critically examine the historical construction of racial categories in the United States

3. Analyze factors that influence collective political identity formation

4. Investigate how multiple identity factors combine with race to influence political outcomes and perspectives

5. Assess the limitations of traditional approaches to studying race, ethnicity, and politics

View Syllabus 

POLS 1101: American Government

Offered: Spring 2023, Fall 2024, Spring 2026

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the institutions, processes, and behavior of American national government. Over the course of the semester, we will examine explanations of how our political system operates and how well it meets its democratic aspirations. The purpose of the course is to promote learning and critical thinking about U.S. politics that go beyond much of what we hear and read in the news, social media, and everyday conversation. One of my goals then is to have you reevaluate commonly held assumptions and criticisms of the American political system. In some instances, what you learn will run counter to commonly held views about American government. In addition, we will focus on many basics of U.S. government that are not well known or understood.

Learning Objectives:

As set by USG, 

1.  Students will learn to articulate competing positions on political topics inassignments

2. Students will critically assess the effects of media and public opinion on political processes using analytical tools to interpret data related to the American political system, including public opinion surveys, election results, and demographic trends, and communicate their findings in written, verbal, and graphical formats.

3. Students will apply theoretical frameworks, such as federalism, separation of powers, and pluralism, to analyze the organization and functioning of American government, its political institutions, and processes.

4. Students will learn the philosophical and constitutional foundations of the US political system, including the state of Georgia, and examine primary sources over time, including the Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, the US and Georgia Constitutions, among others.

5. Students will demonstrate an ability to engage in respectful discussion and civil debate on American politics that are associated with multiple points of view.

POLS 4645E: Applied Civic Engagement- Service 

Semester: Summer 2025

Through online and experiential service-learning, students explore definitions of civic engagement as it relates to democratic citizenship and its historical context, identify and demonstrate methods of civic engagement that encourage civic life individually and within a community, and understand limits of engagement in society.

TA Responsibilities: 

• Grading

• Discussion Monitoring 

POLS 5030: Applied Politics

Semester: Fall 2024

Course Description: This seminar will introduce Public Affairs Professional Certificate students to the realm of “practical politics” and applied political science. This course will cover several areas based on career categories: political communications, advocacy and lobbying; legislative and executive office careers, policy/data analytics, campaigns, and more. The course is set up to expose you to viewpoints, advice, lessons, and skill development from our Visiting Practitioners.

TA Responsibilities: 

• Assessment Creation 

• Grading

• Coordinating with Guest Speakers

POLS 1101E: American Government

Semester: Summer 2022, Summer 2021

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the institutions, processes, and behavior of American national government. Over the course of the semester, we will examine explanations of how our political system operates and how well it meets its democratic aspirations. The purpose of the course is to promote learning and critical thinking about U.S. politics that go beyond much of what we hear and read in the news, social media, and everyday conversation. One of my goals then is to have you reevaluate commonly held assumptions and criticisms of the American political system. In some instances, what you learn will run counter to commonly held views about American government. In addition, we will focus on many basics of U.S. government that are not well known or understood.

TA Responsibilities: 

• Grading 

• Office Hours 

• Breakout Discussion