Robert Tanner Bivens

Regional Organizations | Norms & Socialization | LGBTQIA+ | Sub-Saharan Africa

Teaching Experience

This page is separated into five sections. The first of which are courses that I have taught. The second section is dedicated to sample syllabi from the classes I have taught. The third are the awards I have received for my efforts as an educator. The fourth is my most recent evaluation of my teaching capabilities. The final section includes a list of prominent quotes from students and scholars that can attest to my teaching abilities.

Courses Taught

Graduate Courses

PLS 5533: Proseminar in Political Modernization (1)
Eastern Illinois University
In-Person/Online Hybrid
Spring 2026

PLS 5053: Research Methods (1)
Eastern Illinois University
In-Person
Fall 2025

PLS 5433 Proseminar in Comparative Politics (1)
Eastern Illinois University
In-Person/Online Hybrid
Spring 2025

PLS 4823 Proseminar in Comparative Public Policy (1)
Eastern Illinois University
Online Asynchronous
Spring 2025

PLS 5843 Proseminar in Public Policy Research and Analysis (2)
Eastern Illinois University
Online Asynchronous
Fall 2025; Fall 2024

Independent Studies Supervised

Quantitative Research Methods (Fall 2025)
African Regional Governance & Mitigating Conflict (Spring 2025)
Research Methods in Public Policy (Summer 2025)

Undergraduate Courses

PLS 3353: Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa (1)
Eastern Illinois University
In-Person
Spring 2026

PLS 3333: Politics of Latin America & the Caribbean (1)
Eastern Illinois University
In-Person
Fall 2025

PLS 3861B: Special Topics in IR & CP: International LGBTQ+ Politics (1)
Eastern Illinois University
In-Person
Spring 2025

PLS 2293 Introduction to International Relations – Honors Course (2)
Eastern Illinois University
In-Person
Spring 2026; Fall 2024

PLS 2253 Introduction to International Relations (2)
Eastern Illinois University
In-Person
Fall 2025; Fall 2024

POLS 285: Introduction to International Relations (3)
Northern Illinois University
In-Person
Spring 2024; Fall 2023; Spring 2022

POLS 285: Introduction to International Relations (1)
Northern Illinois University
Online Asynchronous
Fall 2021

Sample Syllabi

PLS 5843: Proseminar on Public Policy & Research

PLS 5433: Proseminar on Comparative Politics

PLS 5053: Research Methods

PLS 4823: Comparative Public Policy

PLS 3861B: Special Topics: International LGBTQ+ Politics

PLS 3333: Politics of Latin America & the Caribbean

PLS 2253G: Introduction to International Relations

Awards and Fellowships

2025 Eastern Illinois University Unit B Research, Scholarship, Creativity, and Service Achievement Award

2024 Eastern Illinois University DWF Collaborative Redesign Initiative Grant

2024 Award for Most Outstanding Graduate Instructor

2023 Maryanov Award for Scholarly Professional Excellence

2020-2021 Great Journeys Fellowship

2017 Ohio University Political Science Committee’s Most Outstanding Teacher’s Assistant Award

Teaching Evaluations

PLS 5433: Spring 2025 (Pt. 2)
PLS 5433: Spring 2025 (Pt. 1)
PLS 4823: Spring 2025
PLS 3861D: Spring 2025
PLS 5843: Fall 2024
PLS 2293G: Fall 2024
PLS 2253G: Fall 2024
POLS 285: Spring 2024 (Pt. 2)
POLS 285: Spring 2024 (Pt. 1)
POLS 285: Fall 2023

Selected Quotes from Students

  • “I really, really enjoyed this class and the passion Dr. Bivens puts behind it. As a very worldly-minded person, this class taught me a lot about how interactions actually take place between various states and people. As a studying historian, I understand how complicated almost everything is! But with a class like this, I now have another lens that can help me understand the many perspectives of this crazy, ever-changing world.” (Student PLS 2253G Fall 2025)
  • “Dr. Bivens does a great job at breaking down complex material, and he always asks thought provoking questions. He’s encourages students to add to the discussion and he always has kind comments on what students say and write.” (Student PLS 5433 Spring 2025)
  • “I believe Dr. Bivens is one of the best professors I’ve had and even though we don’t always have questions, it helps when he asks the class just in case. I was a big fan of our discussions and one thing I’d personally prefer would’ve been if we were all able to present together our findings, instead of just depending on one person at the end. I think it helps especially with such a small class number. I think it would help us not put so much pressure and have other people more keen on presenting, so it’s just a suggestion! I still think taking notes during the discussion is effective and necessary. I think if we’d known beforehand some of the questions over our reading over the book discussion could create better conversation, but either way I think it was already great. Other than that, I believe the lectures are always full of interesting aspects that I enjoy.” (Student PLS 3861D Spring 2025)
  • “His feedback was extremely helpful for me to seek the final information I need to have a better understanding of the topics. I enjoyed the emails, providing guidance and in some cases praise.” (Student PLS 5843 Fall 2024)
  • “I really enjoy Professor Bivens, he has been a great teacher every day in class. He keeps our attention and provides an engaging experience, allowing us to learn and enjoy class. Although I am in honors, and it makes the class a bit more difficult, I really do enjoy it. He has been a successful instructor so far and I may take another class with him if I need any more history or poli-sci credits!” (Student PLS 2293G Fall 2024)
  • “I really enjoyed having Professor Bivens this semester. I think he had humor weaved into the class, was EXTREMELY understanding of students day to day schedules/lives, respected everyone’s opinions, and overall created an environment that made it easy to ask questions and learn. I liked how he formatted the class in an efficient way.” (Student POLS 285 Spring 2024)
  • “In every way Professor Bivens was the best professor I have ever had here or in community college. The way he concisely goes over material, gives great feedback on what was done right and wrong in assignments. He is open for discussions and questions, also making himself available at office hours. He motivates his class with incentives not punishment. If you’re interested in his course he will go to any length to continue your curiosity and feed it with great sources and information.” (Student POLS 285 Fall 2023)
  • “I think that Professor Bivens is an excellent Professor. I really like his teaching techniques. Most professors throw some slides in your face and expect you to learn, but Bivens explains in detail the important ideas and topics within each class. I think that his teaching style is really unique and cool.” (Student POLS 285 Fall 2023)
  • “He is very good at explaining complex subjects, presenting the nuance of a topic, and doing so thoroughly. He creates a safe space to ask questions and express opinions and gives great feedback for assessments.” (Student POLS 285 Fall 2023)
  • “I took this class because my advisor told me [Robert] Tanner [Bivens] would be the TA. She said he has helped so many people in the classes and that he would help me with any problems I had.” (Student POLS 285 Fall 2022)
  • “He is a great professor. Mr. Bivens really cares about his students and seemed to go out of his way to make sure everyone succeeded. I wish more professors were like him.” (Student POLS 285 Spring 2022)
  • “As a queer kid, you are lucky if a professor will respect your pronouns or if they will constantly deadname you even when you ask them not to. Mr. Bivens went above and beyond and more people should recognize that. He made me feel welcomed, respected, and heard.” (Student POLS 285 Spring 2022)
  • “One of my favorite professors I have encountered during my time here at NIU. You guys are lucky to have him as a part of your team!” (Student POLS 285 Spring 2022)
  • “I would have failed this class if it wasn’t for the TA. He was patient, kind, listened when I talked about my problems with ADHD, and explained the concepts and terms in a way that helped me understand. I went from hating the class to loving it because of him. Instead of failing, I got a B. You all should do something with him. He is special.” (Student POLS 2500 Spring 2017)