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Diego Esparza

Title: Associate Professor

Department: Political Science

College: College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae Link

Education

  • PhD, University of California at Riverside, 2015
    Major: Political Science
    Specialization: Comparative Politics and International Relations
    Dissertation: Policing as a Vocation: Centralization, Professionalism, and Police Malfeasance in Latin America
  • MA, University of California at Riverside, 2010
    Major: Political Science
    Specialization: International Relations and Comparative Politics
  • BA, California Polytechnic State University, 2005
    Major: Political Science
    Specialization: International Affairs
    Dissertation: Patriot Act: The Relationship of the Patriot Act with Society as Studied on the Cal Poly Populace

Current Scheduled Teaching

PSCI 4953.002Capstone InternshipSpring 2025
PSCI 6660.001Civil WarSpring 2025
PSCI 3611.001Politics of Central America and the CaribbeanSpring 2025
PSCI 4900.712Special ProblemsSpring 2025
PSCI 4933.002Political Science InternshipFall 2024 Syllabus
PSCI 3701.001Politics of MexicoFall 2024 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 6900.010Special ProblemsFall 2024

Previous Scheduled Teaching

PSCI 4662.001Civil Military RelationsSpring 2024 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.004US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsSpring 2024 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 6625.001Democracy and DemocratizationFall 2023 SPOT
PSCI 3600.001Governments and Politics Around the WorldFall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.901US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsSummer 3W1 2023 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3701.001Politics of MexicoSpring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3611.001Politics of Central America and the CaribbeanFall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.801US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsSummer 3W1 2022 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 4662.001Civil Military RelationsSpring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.008US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsSpring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3600.002Governments and Politics Around the WorldFall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3611.001Politics of Central America and the CaribbeanFall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.001US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsSummer 3W1 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3600.002Governments and Politics Around the WorldSpring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3600.003Governments and Politics Around the WorldSpring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3701.001Politics of MexicoSpring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3701.002Politics of MexicoSpring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 6625.001Democracy and DemocratizationFall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.001US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsSummer 3W1 2020 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3700.001Area PoliticsSpring 2020 Syllabus
PSCI 2306.008US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsSpring 2020 Syllabus
PSCI 3600.001Governments and Politics Around the WorldFall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 4951.009Honors College Capstone ThesisFall 2019
PSCI 4700.001Topics in Comparative PoliticsFall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.001US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsSummer 3W1 2019 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3700.001Area PoliticsSpring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.008US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsSpring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3600.001Governments and Politics Around the WorldFall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 4700.001Topics in Comparative PoliticsFall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 3600.002Governments and Politics Around the WorldSpring 2018 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.008US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsSpring 2018 Syllabus SPOT
PSCI 2306.007US and Texas Constitutions and InstitutionsFall 2017 Syllabus SPOT

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Book

  • Esparza, D. (2022). Policing and Politics in Latin America: When Law Enforcement Breaks the Law. 173. Boulder, Colorado, Lynne Rienner Publishers. https://www.rienner.com/title/Policing_and_Politics_in_Latin_America_When_Law_Enforcement_Breaks_the_Law
  • Book Chapter

  • Esparza, D. (2021). Peacekeeping and Civil-Military Relations in Uruguay. Routledge Handbook of Civil-Military Relations 2nd Edition. Routledge.
  • Esparza, D., Bruneau, T. (2018). "Intelligence Fusion Centers: Bridging State/Local Law Enforcement and National Intelligence Culture?". Homeland Security Cultures, edited by Alexander Siedschlag and Andrea Jerković. London: Rowman and Littlefield..
  • Journal Article

  • Esparza, D., Meernik, J., Branton, R. What’s Past is Prologue: Civil War Violence and Post-War Criminal Homicides. Civil Wars.
  • Esparza, D., Branton, R.P., Meernik, J.D. What Factors Drive Police Trust After Civil Wars: The Case of Colombia. International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice.
  • Meernik, J.D., Duncan, G., Torou, C., Gaviria, J., Esparza, D. Trust of Demobilized Combatants: Overcoming Fear or Becoming Familiar?. Social Science Quarterly.
  • Silva, A., Esparza, D. (2021). Race and Trust in the Police. Social Science Quarterly.
  • Esparza, D., Ishiyama, J.T. (2021). "Born to Run: Where Rebel Parties Participate in Post-Conflict Local Elections" (first listing). Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties.
  • Silva, A., Esparza, D., Martinez-Ebers, V.J., Branton, R.P. (2020). Perceived police performance, racial experiences, and trust in local government. Politics, Groups and Identities.
  • Esparza, D., Gentry, H., Arca Henon, S. (2020). Peacekeeping and Civil-Military Relations in Uruguay. Defense & Security Analysis. Taylor and Francis.
  • Esparza, D., Martinez-Ebers, V.J., Branton, R.P., King, K.L., Meernik, J.D. (2020). Violence, Trust and Public Support for the Colombian Peace Agreement. Social Science Quarterly. 101 (4) 1236-1254.
  • Meernik, J.D., Esparza, D. (2020). Movement of the People: Violence and Internal Displacement. International Area Studies Review.
  • Esparza, D., Ugues, A. (2020). The Impact of Law Enforcement Centralization and Professionalization on Public Opinion of the Mexican Police. Journal of Politics in Latin America.
  • Esparza, D., Bruneau, T. (2019). Closing the Gap Between Law Enforcement and National Security Intelligence: Comparative Approaches. International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence. 31 (4)
  • Ugues, A., Esparza, D. (2018). The relationship between crime victimization, corruption, and public attitudes of Mexico’s armed forces. Democracy and Security. 14 (3) 211-237. Informa UK Limited. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17419166.2018.1466114
  • Pion-Berlin, D., Esparza, D., Grisham, K. (2014). Staying Quartered: Civilian Uprisings and Military Disobedience in the Twenty-First Century. Comparative Political Studies. 47 (2) 230-259.
  • Esparza, D. (2010). Self-Advertised Military Missions in Latin America: What Is Disclosed and Why?. Journal of Political and Military Sociology. 38 (2010) 101-127.

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

    Grant - Research

  • Esparza, D., "Summer Research Grant," sponsored by University of North Texas Office of Provost for Faculty Success, University of North Texas, $2000 Funded. (2021).
  • Esparza, D. (Principal), "Scholarly and Creative Activity Award," sponsored by University of North Texas Office of Research and Innovation, University of North Texas, $5000 Funded. (2020 - 2021).
  • Grant - Service

  • Ishiyama, J.T. (Co-Principal), Breuning, M. (Co-Principal), Esparza, D. (Co-Principal), Hlatky, R. (Co-Principal), "Team Mentoring Grant," sponsored by Faculty Success Office of the Provost & Academic Affairs, University of North Texas, $4987.5 Funded. (2023 - 2024).
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Overall
Summative Rating
Challenge and
Engagement Index
Response Rate

out of 5

out of 7
%
of
students responded
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
    • The course as a whole was
    • The course content was
    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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