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Teaching
Classes
International Political Economy (PSC 2439)
Comparative Political Economy (IAFF 3184; IAFF 6198; PSC 6388)
Political Economy of Latin America (IAFF 3177)
Rising Market Powers and 21st Century Globalization (IAFF 3184; IAFF 6198)
Advanced Theories of International Political Economy (PSC 8453)
Advanced Theories of Comparative Political Economy (PSC 8453)
Awards and Nominations
2020-2021 - selected as as an outstanding professor within the Elliott School of International Affairs by the Xi Rho Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, the professional business fraternity at GWU.
Announcement: "The Xi Rho Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, the professional business fraternity at GWU, selected Professor Stephen Kaplan as an outstanding professor within the international affairs school. Within our Chapter, he has made a tremendous impact on so many of us. We have agreed that Professor Kaplan is one of the most engaging professors at GWU with the ability to convey his passion. The care he has for each and every student in person and online is incredible, which has allowed our members to be engaged in his international affairs curriculum. Rarely do we as students walk away with learning so much content as we do in his classes. Professor Kaplan's commitment to teaching and supporting students is such a wonderful attribute, which has contributed to the higher success of our students. We would like to thank him for each and every one of his caring and thoughtful actions that have contributed to our academic, personal, and professional success. We are thankful for Professor Kaplan's continuous support through these difficult times as we navigate our lives. His role as a professor has had a wonderful impact on the members of our Chapter. We acknowledge that international affairs would not be as impactful without him as a faculty member."
Student testimonial: “Professor Kaplan is by far the best professor that I have had at GW! He is very lively and engaging in his classes, incredibly knowledgeable about the subject matter he teaches and loves discussion! He was always so fun to learn from in class and I could tell that he really cared about me as a student. He is one of the few educators out there that only grows in the passion he has for his work and I would take him again in a heartbeat! It is professors like him which are the reason why I chose GW! All around just a great man and a wonderful mentor to anybody that is passionate about their work.”
2021-2022 - nominated for the university-wide Trachtenberg Prize for Teaching by GW students and the political science department; nominated for the Elliott School's Harry Harding Teaching Prize.
2022-2023 - nominated for the third time for the university-wide Bender Teaching Award by GW students and the political science department.
Teaching Testimonials from GW Alumni
Q: What is your favorite course that you have taken, and why was it your favorite?
"One course that truly stood out for me was the Rising Market Powers course taught by Dr. Stephen Kaplan. The course delved into the fascinating realm of the political economy at the intersection of global markets and foreign affairs. We explored a wide range of topics, such as the intricate dynamics of policymaking in the context of rising market powers, the role of institutions and ideas in shaping national economic policies, and the implications of financial and commercial interdependence on the world stage. Dr. Kaplan’s teaching style made the learning experience even more enjoyable. He would begin each class with a song that encapsulated the theme of the day, setting a dynamic and engaging atmosphere from the start. His use of jokes and puns throughout the course kept everyone involved and added a touch of humor to the discussions. 10/10 recommend it to anyone interested in international political economy."
Q: What part of your experience at the Elliott School best prepared you for post-grad career?
"I also benefited greatly from choosing the thesis option instead of a capstone to complete my studies. This allowed me to work with the amazing Stephen Kaplan, from whom I learned a lot about China-Latin America relations. The process of writing my Master thesis provided valuable experience for my PhD a few years later.
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