Visiting Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations
On Faculty since 2007
Phone: (630)752-5495
Fax: (630)752-5731
Email: rachel.vanderhill@wheaton.edu
Education
Ph.D., Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia
M.A., Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia
B.A., Political Science & History, Calvin College
About Rachel Vanderhill
Dr. Vanderhill has long been interested in Central & Eastern Europe, including the post-Soviet states. She is fascinated about the causes of democracy, in other words, what explains why some countries are democratic and others are not. She is especially interested in the role of external or international factors in explaining the development of democracy or authoritarianism. Dr. Vanderhill previously taught at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI.
Dr. Vanderhill, originally from the metro Boston area, loves the ocean (Lake Michigan is great, but is always in second place behind the ocean), traveling, and reading good books.
Courses Taught
- Rise of China: Friend or Foe?
- Introduction to International Relations
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- International Political Economy
- Origins of Democracies and Dictatorships
- Revolutions and Regime Change
- The UN, the Mafia, and other Non-State Actors
Membership in Professional Associations
- International Studies Association
- American Political Science Association
- Christians in Political Science
Research
Dr. Vanderhill's book, Promoting Authoritarianism Abroad, will be published in September 2012 by Lynne Rienner. Dr. Vanderhill is also working on an edited volume about the persistence of authoritarianism in post-Soviet states.
Papers Published and/or Presented
Vanderhill, Rachel (forthcoming). "Promoting Democracy vs. Promoting Authoritarianism: the cases of Belarus and Slovakia." Europe-Asia Studies.
Vanderhill, Rachel. 2008. “The EU and Non-accession States: The Cases of Belarus and Ukraine.” Perspectives: Review of International Affairs 16.2.
Vanderhill, Rachel. (April 2012). "International Factors and Corruption." Paper presented at the International Studies Association Annual Conference 2012, San Diego, CA.
Vanderhill, Rachel. (March 2011). "The Ukrainian 2010 Presidential Elections: What Was the Role of Russia? What Do They Mean for the Future of Democracy in Ukraine?" Paper presented at the International Studies Association Annual Conference 2011, Montreal, Canada.
Vanderhill, Rachel. (April 2010). "Promoting Authoritarianism Abroad: Venezuela’s Involvement in Nicaragua and Peru." Paper presented at Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference 2010, Chicago, IL.