Since arriving at the College of William and Mary in 1987, I have taught more than a dozen different courses, mostly centering on American national institutions and public policy. I often attempt to integrate into these classes my research interests in the U.S. Congress and my practical political experience as a staff person on Capitol Hill. In addition, my courses generally feature elaborate simulation exercises and guest presentations by visiting policy practitioners from Washington. The goal is to combine academic and more applied perspectives on contemporary American government. Recent courses that I have taught include the following (with links to the relevant explanatory memos).

Legislative Processes (simulation exercise)

Introduction to Public Policy

Game Theory and Politics

American National Institutions

American Political Development

The U.S. Congress (seminar paper assignment)

On occasion, I also teach courses about introductory American government, political parties, the American presidency, undergraduate research methods, and a graduate seminar (masters in public policy analysis) about the political environment of the policy-making process. Moreover, I regularly supervise honors theses and independent studies in government and public policy. Interested students should .

Undergraduate Research

An important aspect of my teaching focuses on collaborative research with William and Mary students. Over the past few years, I have coauthored sixteen scholarly papers with students at the College, all of which have been presented at major academic conferences and/or published in journals or edited volumes. Almost thirty of these students have been able to attend the relevant conference and participate in the formal presentation. In part through the efforts of the Roy R. Charles Center, the College of William and Mary has emerged as a national leader in promoting collaborate research between faculty members and undergraduate students. Interested students should consult the Charles Center website for information about funding and scholarship opportunities.