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Stanford University

POLISCI 121L: Racial and Ethnic Politics in the U.S.

  • This course examines the profound role race plays in American politics. Topics covered include the construction of political identity among Asian, Black, Latino, Native, and White Americans; the politics of immigration and acculturation; and the influence of racial identity on public opinion, voting behavior, the media, social movements, and in the justice system. We will tackle questions such as: What makes a political campaign ad "racist?" Why did Donald Trump's support among Black, Latino, and Asian voters increase from 2016 to 2020? Are undocumented immigrants really more likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens? How can we measure whether there is racial bias in policing? What do we even mean when we use the terms "race" and "ethnicity" and how have the definitions of identity groups evolved over time? Throughout, students will be pushed to carefully evaluate data-based claims, critically analyze their own assumptions, and bring to bear empirical evidence to support their arguments in an inclusive learning environment.

POLISCI 28N: The Changing Nature of Racial Identity in American Politics

  • Almost one-third of Americans now identify with a racial/ethnic minority group. This seminar examined the relationship between racial identity, group consciousness, and public opinion. Topics included the role of government institutions in shaping identification, challenges in defining and measuring race, attitudes towards race-based policies, and the development of political solidarity within racial groups. Particular attention was paid to the construction of political identities among the growing mixed-race population.

POLISCI 292: Research Honors in Political Behavior

  • This honors research seminar surveys important topics in the study of mass political behavior including public opinion, political participation, partisanship and voting.

POLISCI 299Q: Research Honors Thesis Writing

  • Honors Thesis Seminar

POLISCI 420B: Topics in American Political Behavior

  • For graduate students with background in American politics embarking on their own research. Examines the significant historical and contemporary research in American political behavior and public opinion. Topics include: foundations of voting behavior; party identification and partisanship; models of public opinion; ideology and polarization; campaigns, elections, and turnout; group identity and group processes; racism and racial attitudes; and emotion and motivated reasoning.

Princeton University

Teaching Assistant and Course Administrator, Mass Media in American Politics (with Martin Gilens)

  • This course considered the role of the mass media in American politics and the influence of the media on Americans' political attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. The course examined the nature of news and news making organizations, the role of the news media in electoral campaigns, how the media shape the behavior of politicians once in office, political advertising, and the impact of the media on Americans' political attitudes.

Teaching Assistant and Course Administrator, The Politics of Race and Health in the U.S. (with Melissa Harris-Lacewell)

  • This course examined the structural and political reasons for racial disparities in the rates of cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality and other health issues. 

Student Project Advisor, Community Based Learning Initiative (with Melissa Harris-Lacewell)

  • The Community-Based Learning Initiative (CBLI) connects students' academic work with their interest in and concern for the communities around the University. Working with local nonprofits, students develop research projects, collect and analyze data, and share their results and conclusions, not just with their professors, but also with organizations and agencies that can make use of the information. Working with CBLI, students can do community-based research in courses, as a summer research internship, and as part of their junior paper or senior thesis.