BRYN MAWR COLLEGE
POLS 283: Middle East Politics
This course offers an overview on the contemporary politics of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the relevant social (mostly political) science work on it. Each module of the course revolves around a central question that has been keeping social and political scientists busy in the last decades: What triggers risky protest movements in authoritarian settings? Why has the MENA region remained authoritarian despite global waves of democratization? Do monarchies in the Middle East have an advantage in ensuring political stability, and if so, why? Is it impossible to ensure good governance and peace at the same time in divided societies? What are the reasons behind the economic underdevelopment of the MENA region? Students are also invited to think about these “big questions” and take MENA countries as their case studies, while at the same significantly enhancing their contextual knowledge about the region.
POLS 233: Introduction to Research Design and Data Analysis
This course is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in understanding and utilizing research methodologies commonly used in the field of political science. By the end of the semester, students will be proficient in reading and comprehending political science literature, identifying the methodologies employed, and applying the basics of these techniques to their own research projects.
POLS 382: Comparative Political Parties
A research-oriented course in empirical political science that has multiple objectives: (1) Creating an opportunity for a deep engagement in the contemporary debate on political parties and other forms of political participation and organization, (2) reflecting deeply on the normative questions of the value and necessity of political parties and partisanship for democracy, representation, accountability, stability and good governance, and (3) creating an opportunity for students to conduct their own (mini) empirical research projects.
Students presenting their research projects at the end-of-semester poster day 👇
HARVARD UNIVERSITY TEACHING FELLOWSHIPS
- GenEd 1008: Power and Identity in the Middle East (Spring 2020)
Evaluations cancelled due to the pandemic - Gov 20: Foundations of Comparative Politics (Fall 2019)
Evaluation score: 4.6/5
Won Bok Center’s Excellence in Teaching award - Gov 50: Introduction to Political Science Research Methods (Spring 2017)
Evaluation score: 5.0/5
Won Bok Center’s Excellence in Teaching award - Gov 1207: Comparative Politics of the Middle East (Fall 2016)
Evaluation score: 4.3/5
Student evaluation reports from both Harvard College and Harvard Extension School are available upon request.
Aytuğ Şaşmaz 