Teaching Experience

Instructor of Record at The University of Maryland

GVPT 170: American Politics

January 2026

Online Asynchronous

We explore the American political system as a set of institutions (Congress, the presidency, the courts, the bureaucracy) and also as a dynamic arena shaped by actors such as political parties, interest groups, social movements, and the media. Our approach will be both theoretical and analytical. We move beyond simple description into examining why the system is organized as it is, how it has changed over time, how it compares to other democratic systems, and what role citizens play in shaping outcomes. Ultimately, we consider not only how the American government works, but also how it might be improved to better meet the challenges of the present and future.

GVPT379N: Topics in American Politics; Strange New Worlds: A Sci-Fi Exploration of American Politics

July 2026-August 2026

Online Asychronous

As polarization and inequality rise and democratic institutions face increasing strain, science fiction offers a lens for examining core issues in American politics through imagined political worlds. Through novels such as Fahrenheit 451, Dune, and Parable of the Sower, students analyze participation, power, inequality, and democratic limits and apply those insights to contemporary American politics.

Using science fiction as a tool for political analysis, this course explores how institutions operate, how elites and citizens interact, and how identity and inequality shape political behavior. Students will examine themes such as information control, state capacity, economic and cultural power, and the role of leadership, drawing connections between fictional societies and real-world political systems. The course emphasizes building arguments that integrate narrative evidence with political science theory.

Selected Teaching Reviews

"This course was amazing and I wish I found it sooner! I love all of the ideas of government that we learned about but especially because we could relate them to things we were reading about in the book. 10/10 one of my fav classes at UMD! Ms. Jensen was the best teacher and gave such great in depth feedback to not only the essays but even the discussion posts. She is going down in my history as my favorite teacher and also the person who got me back into reading!" -GVPT 379N Strange New Worlds Student (Summer 2026)

"The slideshows were very effective because they were clear and concise, used good examples, and communicated the information clearly through the videos." -GVPT 379N Strange New Worlds Student (Summer 2026)

"I liked the assigned readings of the course as it allowed me to connect topics within the scope of political science and helped me connect larger, broader themes to each novel that we were covering on a certain week." -GVPT 379N Strange New Worlds Student (Summer 2026)

"The course was very organized and well laid–out. I appreciated that the structure was the same every day (not sure if that was just because it's a winter class), but it was nice that I didn't have to worry about constantly checking the syllabus or the modules to see if things had changed. The instructor was very nice and helpful, clearly communicated guidelines, but didn't overwhelm us with announcements or information. This was my first time taking a winter class, and it was a really good experience." -GVPT 170 Student (Winter 2026)

"I thought the recorded lectures were very engaging and did a great job explaining and breaking down the content. The quizzes had no tricks which I appreciated and all the answers were directly covered in the lecture or covered in the book. The discussions posts gave a great opportunity to expand on certain points and go through them more thoroughly." -GVPT 170 Student (Winter 2026)

"[Ms. Jensen] is extremely good at teaching and giving fun activities that teach but also keep the class engage. They also gave great feedback on all the work I turned in. I don't think they could’ve done anything better." -GVPT 170 Student (Fall 2025)

"She was very inclusive and made every student belong. She was also relatable, and I enjoyed her teaching style and how she made the discussions a fun environment." -GVPT 170 Student (Fall 2025)

Teachers Assistance Experience

GVPT170: American Government, The University of Maryland

September 2025-December 2025

In-person Discussion Sections and Grading

PSC 147 Public Opinion and Political Communication, Hofstra University

January 2021-May 2021

In-person Class Assistance

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