Christopher LaMonica

Lecturer

BA Massachusetts,

MPP Harvard,

MA, PhD Boston Univ.

Profile

Christopher LaMonica is a Lecturer in International Relations. His research interests include international relations theory and practice, African politics, and development issues. Chris is the co-founder and editor a new journal entitled Africana: A Journal of Ideas on Africa and the African Diaspora (See: http://www.africanajournal.org/). Prior to entering academia Chris worked with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, France, the Harvard Institute for International Development (HIID) in Cambridge, MA USA, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Lusaka, Zambia. Before teaching at VUW he taught International Relations, International Development and Sub-Saharan African History at Boston University and at the University of Rhode Island.

Current Research Projects

Chris is currently working on a new textbook on international politics entitled Globalizing International Relations Theory. His aim is to identify both parallels and differences of "non-Western" political thought with the "Western" classics as they are generally taught in IR theory. He is also working on a political history of sub-Saharan Africa, with particular attention to African political thought.

Recent Publications

“Africa in International Relations Theory: Addressing the Quandry of Africa's Ongoing Marginalization within the Disipline,” in Peyi Soyinka-Airwele and Rita Kiki Edozie, eds., Reframing Contemporary Africa: Politica, Economics and Society in the Global Era, (CQ Press, 2008).

“Modelling Global Patterns of Political Thought: Challenges and Prospects,” in Robbie Shilliam, ed., Non-Western Thought and International Relations: Retrieving the Global Context of Investigation of Modernity, Global Modernity Series (SUNY Press, 2008).

“Liberalism and the Political Refugee: Addressing the Contradictions,” in Yilma Tafere Tasew, Outcast: The Plight of Black African Refugees, (Red Sea Press, 2008).

International Politics: The Classic Texts, Second Edition, Revised (Kendall-Hunt, July 2008).

"African Political Thought and International Relations: Challenges and Prospects," Australasian Review of African Studies, Vol. XXIX, June 2007.

“Algeria,” (with Sheryl Boxall) in Karl DeRouen, Jr. and Paul Bellamy, eds., International Security and the United States, (Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing, 2007).

Recent Conferences

Panel Chair, “Re-Centering IR Theory,” International Studies Association (ISA) Conference (Theme: “Bridging Multiple Divides”), San Francisco, CA USA, March 26-29, 2008; Conference Paper: “Where Is African Political Thought in International Relations Theory?”

"Africa in the Social Sciences," New Zealand Political Studies Association (NZPSA), Wellington, New Zealand, August 30-31, 2007.

"Addressing Edward Said's Challenge of Inclusion: Can IR Theorists Lead the Way?" International Political Science Association (IPSA), Research Committee #49, American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy, Paris, France, July 11-13, 2007.

“African Political Thought and International Relations Theory: Parallels and Differences,” Philosophical Society of Southern Africa (PSSA), University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa, January 17-19, 2007.

“Cross-Cultural International Relations Theory: Why It Matters to Governments,” Dialogue Across Difference: Governance in a Multicultural Era Conference, Australia National University, Canberra, Australia, December 4-5, 2006.

“African Political Thought and International Relations Theory: Challenges and Prospects,” African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific (AFSAAP), Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, Sept 21-23, 2006.

“Challenges to the Development of Cross-Cultural International Relations Theory,” First World Congress on the Study of Power and Language: Theory, Practice and Performance, Bangkok, Thailand, May 24-25, 2006.

Supervision

Chris currently supervises Directed Study (e.g. ASIA-302, POLS-359, and INTP-446), MA, MIR and PhD students. Topics include non-Western political thought, democratization, and African politics.

Administrative Duties

Member, Postgraduate Studies Committee

Current Teaching

INTP 113 – Introduction to International Relations

INTP 376 – Special Topic: African Politics

INTP 450 – International Relations: Exploring Non-Western Political Ideas

Contact Information

Office: Murphy 502
Office Hours (Trimester I 2008): Weds & Thurs, 10-12, or by appointment.
Tel: 463-5760

E-Mail: Christopher.LaMonica@vuw.ac.nz