I currently teach five political science classes at the University of San Diego. The webpages for those classes include syllabi, assignments, grading rubrics, class handouts, and lecture powerpoints.

Introduction to American Politics

The American Presidency

Campaigns, Elections, and Parties

Politics and Parties

Political Science and International Relations Research

The internet and the University of San Diego offer numerous resources for students writing research papers and analytical essays about American politics.

General USD and political information resources

My advice for writing research papers

My advice for first year students

My research projects My current research projects focus on political parties, campaign finance, and the presidency. My major project concerns the role of party elites in congressional primaries. Other projects deal with the presidential honeymoon and the relationships between parties and interest groups.

About me

I received my B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!). As an undergraduate I was an intern at the White House and in the California State Assembly. I've published articles on presidential elections in PS: Political Science and Politics, and on the presidential honeymoon in Congress and the Presidency. My current research projects focus on the relationships between political parties and interest groups. Links to my dissertation, papers, and research interests can be found below. I am also a San Francisco Giants fan, a political junkie and a chocoholic.