teaching
I’ve taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) in the Philippines. Before my PhD, I served as a lecturer at ADMU’s Department of Economics and was invited to teach courses at their Department of Political Science. Below are overviews of university-level courses I’ve handled to date.
MIT Courses
17.803 Political Science Laboratory (Instructor)
This class introduces undergraduate political scientists to the basic quantitative tools of political science research. In particular, this class explores the key statistical and computational research tools that social scientists use to frame and answer empirical questions. A particular focus of the class will be on the issue of *causal inference*. The central theme that runs throughout the course will be: How can we tell causation from mere association? The answer lies in good *research designs* and appropriate *statistical tools*, as you will learn by the end of the semester.
17.800: Quantitative Research Methods I (Teaching Assistant to Prof. Teppei Yamamoto)
This is the first course in a four-course sequence on quantitative political methodology. This first course provides a graduate-level introduction to regression models, along with the basic principles of probability and statistics which are essential for understanding how regression works. Regression models are routinely used in political science, policy research, and other disciplines in social science. The principles learned in this course also provide a foundation for the general understanding of quantitative political methodology.
ADMU Courses
EC 177: Theory and Practice of Development (Instructor)
Economics 177 aims to acquaint senior year economics students to the context of poverty and development work in the Philippines. As the notion of development goes beyond economics, non-economic concepts and methodologies will be dealt in the course, although lectures and workshops will highlight the use of economic analysis and assessment. The main objective of the course is to enhance students' knowledge in the theory and practice of development through the application of various analytical tools in understanding poverty and marginalized communities, as well as broader development processes. While grounded in development economics frameworks, the course will also incorporate perspectives and methods from a wider spectrum of disciplines such as geography, political economy, anthropology, and public policy, given the complex and multidimensional nature of real-world development challenges. A corollary objective is for students to identify and develop discipline-based service contributions to marginalized communities.
POS 131: International Political Economy (Instructor)
International Political Economy (IPE) is an examination of the interlocking role of politics and economics in international relations: how economics affects nations' policy actions; how political processes influences a countries' foreign economic relations; the politics behind investment, aid, finance, and trade policies; and other aspects of their interrelationship. Over the course of the semester, students will be introduced to: (a) the links between IPE, IR, and political economy; (b) different theories and perspectives within IPE; and (c) IPE and contemporary development policy debates.
EC 102: Introductory Economics, Agrarian Reform, and Taxation (Instructor)
This course is a study of the behavior and performance of the economy, the roles and functions of the market, state, households and firms, and their interaction. Basic macro- and micro-economic concepts and methodology are discussed.
EC 121: Development Economics (Occasional/Substitute Instructor)
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental economic problems and issues of developing countries, in particular of the Philippines, using concepts and theories particular to their socio-economic structures and institutions. As students in the class will comprise primarily of business majors (Management Engineering seniors, Management Economics seniors and juniors), a particular aim of the class to introduce the roles that can be undertaken by the business sector in economic development in the country.