I recently started a Central American politics blog that can be accessed
here.
I teach the basic introductory courses in comparative politics, international
relations, and American government. My upper division courses focus on the dynamics of civil war, the
politics of Central and South America, and US-Latin American Relations. If you'd like to learn more about the courses
I teach, please follow the Teaching link on the left.
In terms of research, I am currently involved in two separate projects.
My primary research investigates the transition of insurgent groups to political parties following negotiated
settlements to civil war. Currently, this research combines qualitative and quantitative analyses of two Central American
insurgent groups that have undergone such transitions: the FMLN in El Salvador and the URNG in Guatemala.
I also work closely with Paul Hensel
at the University of North Texas investigating interstate relations involving territory. We recently presented
a paper at APSA (now under review) that looks at how domestic constraints impact the likelihood that two states
will reach an agreement and whether the agreement is implemented. We are also working on a
book project that investigates the relationship between colonial legacies and territorial conflict as part of the Issue
Correlates of War project. Please check the Research tab on the left for copies of my publications and working papers
in these areas.
