This is one of the best podcasts I've listened to lately, a deep dive into a community and conflict with rich, granular insights.
I'm heading to two beloved alma maters for book talks!
Feb 23: Northwestern MENA Monday talk @ noon 💜https://planitpurple.northwestern.edu/event/638111
April 1: Georgetown CCAS @ 2pm 💙https://events.georgetown.edu/.../36741-book-talk...
More soon on events at GWU and UW!
I can keep doing things to make them AI resilient, but I don't see how I can drop the essays after this round of evals.
I'm open to hearing other interpretations (yes, my priors are that language is core to humanity, and that writing is pedagogically essential). 6/6
Those who didn't make their comment about the essays specifically often said things that would necessarily include them b/c they're such a huge part of the course. Like, "Everything!" 5/6
Often, it's like this:
"I enjoyed each case reflection because it allowed us to dive deep and apply course material within a specific context."
"There being no exams helped me to actually focus and apply the concepts, and not worry about memorizing everything." 4/6
The evals:
1. 67/84 students completed
2. the closed-ended scores are v good
3. one open-ended question asks: "What aspect of course design/delivery most benefited your learning?"
4. In response, 39/67 praise the essays.
sometimes it's as simple as "The essays." 3/6
Cards:
1. 5 short papers, applying course material to a social mvmt they've chosen early on, about which they do independent research.
2. These constitute the bulk of assessment in this lower-level lecture
3. I require (maybe beg for) an AI transparency statement. LOTS declare. 2/6
Angst over AI and student writing has been roiling me at an increasing strength lately. Because I haven't stopped assigning essays.
I just got student evals for last semester, and I can breathe. Maybe I'm just so overwhelmed by their positive input, but... 1/6
The regimes that fight imperialism by fighting the people have lost the plot.
Kind of surreal to be discussing my new book on my favorite podcast for learning about new books.
Marc as always knows so much about the topic; it's a real privilege (if intimidating) to be in conversation with him.
I'm honored that Civilizing Contention is on @abuaardvark.bsky.social's list of best books of 2025, and among such a stellar group.
abuaardvarkghost.ghost.io/best-of-2025...
Thank you, Erik, and congratulations to you as well!
Thank you for sharing! It was a pleasure to serve on the board and engage such a great network of scholars.
Here's a discount code for anyone who may be interested in the book: 09BCARD
One year after toppling of Bashar Assad's regime, we've got a variety of insights on prospects for Syria's future.
Check out the 7-piece symposium on Syria co-edited by @rbkhoury.bsky.social and Sefa Seçen in our latest APSA MENA Politics Newsletter.
apsamena.org/mena-politic...
On this first anniversary of the stunning fall, I'm proud to be in
@pomeps.bsky.social just-released collection on Syria with an essay on The Question of Return. Despite its liberatory potential, the regime’s end also exposes the deep vulnerability of Syrian refugees
pomeps.org/the-question...
Cornell's got a winter sale, 44% all books! Code: 09WINTER
Great time to give loved ones, and yourself, a title or two from their excellent selection for the holidays. Perhaps even mine! (Their publications in conflict studies are top notch.)
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
Excited/nervous to be giving a book talk tomorrow at Illinois. My 2nd grader anticipates it will be about 5% boring.
Come for the 95%!
calendars.illinois.edu/detail/779/3...
Thank you Erin!
Thank you!
Wendy, I'm ever grateful for your guidance along the way—always pushing for rigor while remaining committed to the human story that's at stake. I'm so lucky to have learned from you.
I was happy to co-edit the symposium with Sefa Secen for @apsamena.bsky.social 's fall newsletter, out now.
In this symposium on Syria contributors paint nuanced, grim, but clear-eyed pictures of multiple transitional challenges. Comparisons to other cases and situation in poli sci lit remind us Syria's not terribly unique. Amazingly, they all suggest ways through the obstacles.
zenodo.org/records/1745...
3) A symposium on Syria's transition co-edited by @rbkhoury.bsky.social and Sefa Secen, featuring thought-provoking interventions from Tiina Hyyppä, Sumaya Malas, Salam Said, Emily K. M. Scott, Sefa Secen, and Ammar Shamaileh; and
I am delighted to share the fall issue of the APSA MENA section newsletter, co-edited by @sebnemgumuscu.bsky.social, @samershehata.bsky.social, and me, available for download here: zenodo.org/records/1745...
Can folks suggest books or writings by Moroccan or Egyptian activists involved in social movements? For an undergraduate thesis student who is eager to learn how the people on the ground understood their own undertakings. English or Arabic. Thanks!
To celebrate the upcoming release of my book, and to support emerging scholars, I'd like to buy and mail copies to ten graduate students.
If you’re a grad student who’d like a copy, reply or DM me!
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
To celebrate the upcoming release of my book, and to support emerging scholars, I'd like to buy and mail copies to ten graduate students.
If you’re a grad student who’d like a copy, reply or DM me!
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
I often encounter the idea that interviews are qualitative analysis, akin to comparative method or process tracing.
But I understand interviews as a method of data collection, for data to be used in comparative, within-case, or interpretive analyses.
What do you all think?
Thank you Oliver! I hope you’ve been good
Thank you Sumita!
