Throughout my academic journey from psychology through peace studies to political science, one thing I have learned about teaching is that, regardless of the subject matter, the creation of a safe, inclusive and personable environment is a central factor leading to students’ engaging enthusiastically and maximizing their learning potential. Thus the core of my teaching philosophy is genuine respect and care for students. This helps me create an atmosphere that fosters the open exchange of ideas and critical thinking, one that stimulates curiosity for learning and translates knowledge into applicable skills. Below is a list of courses I have taught at the University of Kentucky and beyond:
Primary Instructor
Contemporary Global Conflicts
- University of Kentucky [UK]: Fall 2019, Summer 2018, Spring 2015
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of interstate conflict. Each of its modules covers several theoretical approaches and major contemporary conflicts. The course design aims to develop students’ analytical and critical thinking, tasking them to apply multiple theories to one of the conflicts covered in each module. At the end of the course students are expected to be familiar with major factors mitigating interstate conflicts, apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, and assess the prospects of wars in different crisis situations.
Introduction to Comparative Politics/World Politics
- University of Evansville: Fall 2017, UK: Fall 2015
This course introduces students to the theory and practice of comparative politics. Students are encouraged to think beyond the borders of their countries and employ the method of comparison while learning about different political, social, and economic features in different contexts. Besides weekly quizzes and writing assignments, students are involved in role plays and class debates, where they evaluate the relative merits of various policy decisions, given their effectiveness and ethical implications. The course design and the interactive nature of assignments assist students to apply acquired knowledge to real-world situations.
Film and Politics
- UK: Spring 2019
Besides their entertainment value, films depict political realities, educate viewers, and even challenge their worldviews. The films in this course range from classic Duck Soup (1933) to more recent The Lives of Others (2007). Through a combination of films and readings, students explore political themes including the causes of war, nuclear deterrence, totalitarianism, foreign interventions, and the human costs of political violence. By the end of the course students are expected to apply newly learned concepts to real life situations, as well as identify, interpret, and critically evaluate the political messages in films.
Introduction to Political Analysis
- UK: Fall 2018
This course is designed to introduce students to the skills for interpreting, conducting, presenting, and analyzing political science statistical research. Students learn how to think like social scientists while learning how to choose relevant methods, collect data, analyze it, and present findings. At the end of this course students are expected to be intelligent consumers of research, while also capable of undertaking their own original research projects.
Conflict Transformation
- Georgian Institute of Public Affairs: Summer 2010, Tbilisi State University: Summer 2010
Teaching Assistant
American Government,
- UK: Fall 2016, Fall 2014 (Professors Steve Voss and Richard Waterman)
Introduction to Peace Studies
- University of Notre Dame: Fall 2007, Spring 2006 (Professor George Lopez)
Other Teaching Experience
Research Design and Research Methods
- 2-day workshop for graduate students sponsored by the American Research Institute of the South Caucasus (ARISC) and hosted by Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia (Summer 2019)
Teaching Award
“Striving for Excellence in Teaching” Certificate, Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning, Notre Dame, Fall 2009