Sabri Ciftci, Michael W. Suleiman Chair in Arab and Arab-American Studies in the Department of Political Science, received a 2016 College of Arts and Sciences William L. Stamey Award for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence. Dr. Ciftci is known for being a challenging instructor who cares a great deal about his students and their success. He uses a range of active learning techniques to enliven his instruction, and he goes to great lengths to help students understand cultural differences and grasp the importance of cultural tolerance in his classes.
Ciftci teaches courses on Middle Eastern Politics, Political Islam, Comparative Politics, and Research Methods for the department. Ciftci is a prolific scholar as well as a superb teacher. His research focuses on Islam and democracy, Arab public opinion, and Turkish foreign policy. His most recent projects examine anti-Americanism in the Middle East and religious tolerance. His scholarship has appeared in such highly visible journals as Comparative Political Studies, Political Research Quarterly, International Journal of Middle East Studies, and Foreign Policy Analysis.