TCU Department of Political Science

CURRICULUM VITAE

ERIC W. COX

TCU Box 297021

Fort Worth, TX 76129

(817)257-5219

e.cox@tcu.edu

Education:

Ph.D. in Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (January 2006). Dissertation: "Enduring Rivalry and Consolidating Peace."

M.A. in Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (May 2000). Thesis: "End Game: Transforming Enduring Rivalries."

B.A., summa cum laude, Austin College, Sherman, TX (May 1997). International Studies major with Spanish minor.

Employment:

Assistant Professor in Political Science, Texas Christian University (June 2006-present)

Primary Responsibilities

3/2 Teaching load, including International Politics, The United Nations and the Pursuit of International Justice, Conflict and Negotiation, and Civic Literacy
Serve as Director of Model United Nations – preparing delegations to attend Model United Nations conferences in both the fall and spring semesters
Serve as Associate Director of the Center for Civic Literacy – placing students in local internships and leading Civic Literacy public policy classes
Serve as a reader on Senior Distinction projects

Lecturer in Political Science, Texas Christian University (August 2005-May 2006)

Primary Responsibilities

3/3 Teaching load, including International Politics, The United Nations and the Pursuit of International Justice, Conflict and Negotiation, and Civic Literacy
Serve as Director of Model United Nations – preparing delegations to attend Model United Nations conferences in both the fall and spring semesters
Serve as Associate Director of the Center for Civic Literacy – placing students in local internships and leading Civic Literacy public policy classes
Serve as a reader on Senior Distinction projects

Adjunct Instructor in Political Science, Texas Christian University (Spring 2003-Summer 2005)

Classes Taught

International Politics (Spring 2004)
The United Nations and the Pursuit of International Justice (Fall 2004)
Civic Literacy (Spring 2005)
Conflict and Negotiation (Summer 2005)

Assistant Director of the TCU Leadership Center and Director of Model United Nations, Texas Christian University (June 2003-August 2005)

Primary Responsibilities

Teach co-curricular Global Leadership Class (each semester Fall 2003-Spring 2005)
Serve as Director of Model United Nations – preparing delegations to attend Model United Nations conferences in both the fall and spring semesters
Develop database tracking system for the Chancellor’s Leadership Program
Lead Leadership Center fundraising efforts
Perform research and writing assignments for Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (Including curriculum research, retention, learning outcomes, civic engagement, and service learning)
Helped to create the Center for Civic Literacy, a cooperative project between the Department of Political Science and the TCU Leadership Center
Helped to design and implement StrengthsQuest program at TCU
Serve as consultant to on and off campus organizations and businesses for StrengthsQuest
Worked with the Chancellor’s Special Advisor for Community and Diversity, the Director of Intercultural Education, and the Director of the Leadership Center to develop a series of classes on culture and identity in the United States

Adjunct/Visiting Professor, Austin College, Sherman, TX (Fall 2002-Spring 2003)

Primary Responsibilities

Taught International Relations Theory, American Foreign Policy, Senior Seminar in International Studies, January Term in Russia
Guest lecture in Introduction to Asian Studies
Advisor to the Model United Nations Team
Faculty advisor for students attending a leadership conference in Khabarovsk, Russia, in January 2003 (included 3 days in Moscow and 2 in St. Petersburg).

Adjunct Instructor/Teaching Assistant, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (Spring 1999-Summer 2002)

Classes Taught

International Law (as instructor)
International Law, International Organizations, Introduction to American Politics (Teaching Assistant)

AWARDS:

TCU Research and Creative Activities Grant for “The Bolton Effect: How UN Diplomacy Impacts US Foreign Policy” (Spring 2006)

Mortar Board Outstanding Professor (Fall 2005)

Outstanding Strengths-Based Program, The Gallup Organization (January 2005)

Outstanding New Program, TCU Student Affairs, Model UN (2004)

Albert Gallatin Fellowship (2003-2004)

Nominated for the Seven Society Graduate Fellowship for Superb Teaching (Spring 2001)

Departmental Fellowships, University of Virginia (1998-2002)

J.M. Robinson Memorial Scholarship Medal, Austin College (May 1997) -- presented to

one of two top graduates by the faculty based on GPA and diversity of course work.

Outstanding Senior Man, Austin College (May 1997).

Presidential Scholarship, Austin College (September 1993-May 1997).

Publications:

“International Human Rights Law,” in Neal Tate, ed., Governments of the World (Macmillan Reference, Forthcoming December 2005).

“International Humanitarian Law,” in Neal Tate, ed., Governments of the World (Macmillan Reference, Forthcoming December 2005).

“UN Commission on Human Rights,” in Neal Tate, ed., Governments of the World (Macmillan Reference, Forthcoming December 2005).

“Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” in Neal Tate, ed., Governments of the World (Macmillan Reference, Forthcoming December 2005).

"Economic Sanctions and Human Rights," Background Guide General Assembly 6th Committee. National Model United Nations (New York: 1998).

"The Impact of Customary Law on State Sovereignty," Background Guide General Assembly 6th Committee. National Model United Nations (New York: 1998).

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS CONFERENCE PAPERS:

“Service Learning in International Relations: Creating Engaged Learners through Community Service Projects in Internationally Focused Charities,” International Studies Association Annual Convention (San Diego: March 2006).

“Breaking the Stalemate: Domestic Politics and Protracted International Conflict,” Southern Political Science Association (Atlanta: January 2006).

“Why Peace? The Termination and Continuation of Enduring Rivalries,” International Studies Association Annual Meeting (Portland: February/March 2003).

“Ending Rivalry and Consolidating Peace,” International Studies Association Annual Meeting (Chicago: February 2001).

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS DISCUSSION PANELS:

“Question and answers on international refugees,” African Heritage Organization panel at TCU (Forth Worth: February 28, 2005)

“An international legal perspective on the US decision to invade Iraq,” Panel on the potential war in Iraq at Austin College (Sheman: February 2003)

“Current perspectives on the Israeli / Palestinian conflict,” Panel on the Middle East at Austin College (Sherman: November 2002)

OTHER PRESENTATIONS:

“Bridging the Gap between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs: Civic Education at Texas Christian University: a Roundtable,” Dr. Donald Jackson and Dr. Barbara Herman, co-presenters, AAC&U The Civic Engagement Imperative Conference (Providence: November 2005).

“Using a Strengths-based Approach in Leadership Training,” Texas A&M University Strengths Summit (College Station: March 5-6, 2004).

“Perspectives on Global Leadership,” Texas Leadership Consortium Annual Conference (Fort Worth: February 6 2004).

“Model United Nations and its role in developing leadership skills,” Young Leaders of the Asian Pacific Region of the XXI Cenury (Khabarovsk State Academy of Economics and Law, Khabarovsk, Russia: January 2003).

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECT:

I have three current research projects. The first is based on my dissertation, "Why Peace? The Termination and Continuation of Enduring Rivalries." The primary question is why some enduring rivalries -- disputes between states that involve repeated military confrontation over a significant period of time -- end peacefully while others drag on interminably, or only end with the complete collapse or defeat of one of the states. This project answers the question of how rivalries end by comparing successful and failed attempts to terminate rivalries in the Middle East and Latin America. My explanation is that competing domestic groups can radically alter foreign policy in certain moments of opportunity marked by both foreign and domestic policy crisis. Changes in one state’s policy can lead to changes in its rival. As the two states modify their negotiating positions, they find new bargaining space, allowing for successful rapprochement. My work builds on past studies of successful rapprochement and numerous quantitative studies into the dynamics of enduring rivalries and presents a formal model that treats time as a non-linear variable.

The second is an examination of the impact of US interventions in other countries on surrounding states. I am examining whether or not attempts to democratize other states have a “contagion effect” on surrounding states.

My final project is an analysis of US diplomatic behavior at the UN. I am analyzing voting records and conducting interviews to determine whether or not different UN Ambassadors for the United States bring about different outcomes for the United States.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

Texas Christian University: International Politics, The United Nations and the Pursuit of International Justice, Conflict and Negotiation, Civic Literacy, Transgressing Cultural Lines.

Austin College: International Relations Theory, American Foreign Policy, Senior Conference in International Studies, January Term in Khabarovsk, Russia, Model United Nations.

University of Virginia: International Law.

University of Virginia (teaching assistant): Introduction to American Politics (1 semester), International Organizations (3 semesters), and International Law (2 semesters). As a teaching assistant, I taught three discussion sections a week with ~20 students per section.

TEACHING INTERESTS:

International relations theory, comparative politics, human rights, conflict resolution, civil wars, coalitions, international organizations, international law (theory), Model United Nations, qualitative methods, Middle Eastern politics/relations, Latin American politics/relations.

COMMITTEE AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:

TCU Chancellor’s Committee on Successful Graduation: Action 2004 (Spring 2004-Present)

Director of Model United Nations, Texas Christian University (Fall 2003-Present)

Interim Chair, Sophomore Transitions Team, Texas Christian University (Spring 2004)

Student Development Services Web-design committee (Spring-Summer 2004).

August Calendar Committee, Texas Christian University (Spring 2004)

Texas Christian University Career Services Advisory Board (Spring 2004)

Community Mentor, Austin College Leadership Institute (Fall 2003-present)

Committee for Southwest and Mexican Studies, Austin College (Fall 2002-Spring 2003)

Honors Thesis adviser, Austin College (Fall 2002-Spring 2003)

Advisor to Model United Nations program, Austin College (Fall 2002-Spring 2003)

INDEPENDENT CONSULTATIONS:

In addition to the consultations below, I have provided consultations to a number of TCU faculty and staff members both on service learning and the Gallup Organization’s Strengths-based learning program, which I helped bring to TCU.

Strengths-based leadership training for Richland Community College (October 16, 2004)

Organizational consultation for University Christian Church Trustees (August 2004)

Commentary on 2002 Mid-term Elections for KXII, Channel 12 (Sherman: November 2002)

LANGUAGES READ:

Spanish and some Portuguese.