I specialize in American politics, and my work examines the role that social influence plays in voting behavior, political participation, and opinion formation, with a special focus on how people employ their networks when acquiring and processing information. I also have broad interests in spatial and contextual processes (and methods of analysis), and interests in religion and politics, gender and politics, and political methodology.
keywords
american politics, social influence, voting behavior, political participation, opinion formation, survey research, experiments, religion and politics, spatial analysis, context, political methodology, gender and politics, network analysis
PSCI 1101 - Introduction to American Politics
Primary Instructor
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Summer 2018 / Fall 2018 / Summer 2019 / Summer 2020 / Fall 2020
Emphasizes interrelations among levels and branches of government, formal and informal institutions, processes, and behavior.
PSCI 2075 - Quantitative Research Methods
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Fall 2019
Introduces quantitative research methods used in political science. Focuses on basic tools of analysis: data collection, processing, and evaluation, with special attention to survey techniques. Includes elite and case study analysis; aggregate, cluster, and content analysis; and the use of computers in political research.
PSCI 4028 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021
Offers subjects not covered by existing courses. Offered when the department approves a special topic. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours for different topics.
PSCI 6851 - Interdisciplinary Social Science Professional Socialization
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020
Trains graduate students and provides professional socialization in interdisciplinary social science research. Open to all interested students, with programming provided by the Institute of Behavioral Science. Sessions include IBS-housed colloquia and workshops in professional socialization, technological tools, interdisciplinary research, ethics, grant writing, etc. Students workshop and submit a research paper. May be repeated up to 4 total credit hours. Same as PSYC 6831 and SOCY 6851.
PSCI 7031 - Seminar: Political Attitudes and Behavior
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018
Provides an intensive examination of topics in political attitudes and behavior such as political participation, ideology, voting, and elite behavior. Reviews methodology of behavioral research and introduces ICPSR data archive and computer-based research.
PSCI 7075 - Scope and Methods of Political Science
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020
Introduces students to research design, with a subsequent focus on professional development. Students learn about different styles of research, central methodological points surrounding (and differentiating) these styles, and standards for evaluating research, regardless of approach or content.
PSCI 7085 - Introduction to Political Science Data Analysis
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Provides intensive experience with quantitative techniques commonly employed in political science research, covering basic inferential and descriptive statistics through multiple regression. Students undertake substantive research projects, requiring lab instruction in the use of the computer in quantitative applications of political science research.
PSCI 7108 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022
Various topics not normally offered in the curriculum. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours.
PSCI 7131 - Political Psychology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021
Focuses on the psychological roots of political behavior, including the origins of political beliefs, political decision-making processes, and the psychology of group interactions.
PSCI 7185 - Political Network Analysis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Fall 2022
Explores all aspects of political network analysis including disciplinary background, theories and concepts, approaches and applications, data basics and measurement, and techniques of analysis. Data assignments use software such as UCINET and R. Introduces visualization software including NetDraw, NetworkX and Cytoscape.
PSCI 8905 - Graduate Research Topic
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020
Provides an opportunity for independent research in a topic of special interest. Arrangements are made to suit the needs of each particular student. Not a free option; must be approved by student's advisor and department chair. Does not count as a seminar. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.
PSYC 6831 - Interdisciplinary Social Science Professional Socialization
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Spring 2019
Trains graduate students and provides professional socialization in interdisciplinary social science research. Open to all interested students, with programming provided by the Institute of Behavioral Science. Sessions include IBS-housed colloquia and workshops in professional socialization, technological tools, interdisciplinary research, ethics, grant writing, etc. Students workshop and submit a research paper. May be repeated up to 4 total credit hours. Same as SOCY 6851 and PSCI 6851.
SOCY 6851 - Interdisciplinary Social Science Professional Socialization
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020
Trains graduate students and provides professional socialization in interdisciplinary social science research. Open to all interested students, with programming provided by the Institute of Behavioral Science. Sessions include IBS-housed colloquia and workshops in professional socialization, technological tools, interdisciplinary research, ethics, grant writing, etc. Students workshop and submit a research paper. May be repeated up to 4 total credit hours. Same as PSYC 6831 and PSCI 6851.
