Kexin Bai
Teaching
Teaching Approach
My teaching follows a “Theory-in-Action” approach: I help students connect political science theories to real-world political events, evaluate competing explanations with evidence, and develop their own arguments. I begin by making challenging concepts accessible through clear explanations and concrete examples, then guide students in applying those concepts to current events. Students engage with readings by asking questions, exchanging interpretations, and discussing ideas with their classmates both before and during class. These written and oral exchanges give them opportunities to test their reasoning, consider alternative perspectives, and learn from one another. Through feedback and revision, students refine their ideas into clearer, better-supported arguments. My goal is to help students become independent thinkers who can evaluate competing explanations and communicate their reasoning with confidence.
Teaching Interests
Substantive
- Introduction to Political Science and International Relations
- International and Comparative Political Economy
- International Trade and Investment
- International Institutions
- Foreign Policy Analysis
- Geopolitics of Global Production
- Economic Statecraft and Great Power Competition
- Technology and National Security
- China in the Global Political Economy
Methods
- Research Design and Quantitative Methods
- Econometrics and Linear Regression
- Maximum Likelihood
- Time Series, Panel Data, and Spatial Analysis
- Causal Inference
- Game Theory
- Statistical Computing in R
- Computational Text Analysis and Machine Learning
Teaching Experience
Texas A&M University
Instructor of Record
POLS 412 - International Political Economy
Fall 2026
An introduction to the politics of the global economy, covering trade, foreign investment, global value chains, aid, migration, climate politics, and international finance. Students apply IPE theories to contemporary debates and develop an original theoretical argument through a presentation and final paper.
Teaching Assistant
- POLS 231 - Introduction to World Politics - Spring 2024, with Quan Li.
- POLS 333 - International Cooperation - Fall 2023, with Hyeran Jo.
- POLS 308 - Game Theoretic Methods in Political Science - Spring 2023, with James Rogers.
- POLS 309 - Polimetrics - Fall 2022, with Quan Li.
- POLS 200 - Foundations of Political Science - Spring 2022, with José Cheibub; Fall 2021, with Michelle Taylor-Robinson.
Selected Student Feedback
“Kexin's hands on teaching was helpful. When she lectured during recitation the concepts were always clear and I was able to understand.”
POLS 309 - Polimetrics, Fall 2022 (Section 502)
“Kexin made sure our environment was comfortable enough for us to be able to ask questions in areas we didn't understand!”
POLS 309 - Polimetrics, Fall 2022 (Section 502)
“Helped walk us through material while also allowing us to come up with our own conclusions”
POLS 309 - Polimetrics, Fall 2022 (Section 502)
“I applaud Kexin here. Her feedback on all the exams helped me go from clueless to successful as the course progressed. Without her comments on graded assignments, I would have not been able to keep up.”
POLS 308 - Game Theoretic Methods in Political Science, Spring 2023
“Excellent TA. Very organized and gave helpful feedback.”
POLS 200 - Foundations of Political Science, Spring 2022
Powered by Jekyll and Minimal Light theme.