Dr Athanassios (Nasos) Roussias

I am currently teaching three modules. I am the module leader on  POL226 Comparative Politics, a second year course that touches on several key topics on Comparative Politics. I also lead a Level 3 module, POL3119 Party Politics, which provides an in-depth analysis of parties and party systems. At the Masters level I teach POL6150 Democratization, a module examining the various theoretical and empirical issues associated with transitions to democracy. 

I value teaching immensely; I consider it a privilege to be able to interact with students both inside and outside the classroom and I try to provide them with a teaching experience that enriches them as potential academics, but mostly as intelligent individuals. My teaching approach is one that stresses interactive learning, with students encouraged to participate not only in seminars but also in lectures. Using key academic contributions I aim at introducing students to important topics, while also exposing them to different approaches using cutting-edge methodological tools.

Above and beyond consuming the results of current research, students are pushed to develop critical thinking and challenge “stylized facts” and “conventional wisdoms”. The overall aim of my courses is to combine a comprehensive coverage of seminal contributions with the development of analytical skills that can be used both within and outside an academic environment.

Students are expected to do the readings assigned for each week, as well as to look for examples that will illuminate topics that may be hard to grasp abstractly. Specific theoretical as well as empirical questions are assigned for seminars, which force students to acquire an understanding of key concepts and debates, as well as reflect on how they can be applied to real world phenomena.

Students are expected to participate actively in seminars, which among other things may include engaging on group activities, and preparing presentations. Modules also entail essay assignments, that promote the development of analytical skills, and final exams, that operate as an incentive to review the topics covered in class and clarify key concepts.