Teaching Archive
The archive contains course descriptions. Click the links to download the student evaluations and the most recent version of the syllabus for each course.
Graduate Courses
Toward A Science of Cybersecurity Syllabus (Spring 2017) Evaluations (Spring 2017)
This course, in broad strokes, investigates the prospects for the development of a science of cybersecurity. At its level of finest detail, the course focuses on applying research from philosophy of science to cybersecurity research, particularly with respect to the subjects of experimentation and scientific laws. Although certain specific foci emerge, the course begins with coarse-grained general surveys of scientific practice and the state of cybersecurity research, since understanding scientific practice in its most general formulation is necessary for determining whether there can be a science of cybersecurity.
Undergraduate Courses
Problem Solving: How Science Works Syllabus (Fall 2016) Evaluations (Fall 2016, Summer I 2015, Spring 2011)
This course presents high-level scientific concepts in an accessible, minimally-mathematical way. I utilize the excellent text written by John Norton, mixed with my own lecture material that is meant to stimulate philosophical thought connected to the standard science. Such philosophical concepts include explanation, the interpretation of probability, and the definition of science, among others.
Magic, Medicine, and Science Syllabus (Summer II 2017) Evaluations (Summer II 2017, Summer I 2017, Summer II 2016, Summer I 2016, Spring 2016, Summer II 2015, Summer II 2014, Summer I 2014, Spring 2014, Summer II 2013, Summer II 2012, Summer I 2012, Spring 2012 (TA), Fall 2011, Summer II 2011, Summer I 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2010, Spring 2009 (TA))
This course functions as an introduction to history and philosophy of science. Using the intersection of history and philosophy in the cosmological tradition, concepts in philosophy of science are woven through a survey of material that stretches from Hesiod to contemporary cosmology.
Introduction to Logic Syllabus (Spring 2018) Evaluations (Spring 2018, Fall 2017 (Section 2), Fall 2017 (Section 1), Summer II 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Fall 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2012)
This course covers the basics of sentential and predicate logic. Students learn to translate ordinary English sentences into formal logical notation, implement logical concepts such as validity and consistency for sets of claims, and prove the validity (or invalidity) of arguments in rigorous logical notation in multiple ways, including through the use of truth tables and formal proofs in sentential and predicate logic.
History of Science Syllabus (Fall 2015) Evaluations (Fall 2015, Fall 2014)
This course investigates the history of science from the perspective of cosmology. Heavy emphasis is placed upon understanding the philosophical obstacles faced by scientists as they undertook their endeavors. Readings include the works of Plato, Lucretius, Bruno, Galileo, and Kepler, among others.
Introduction to Philosophy Syllabus (Spring 2013) Evaluations (Spring 2013, Fall 2011)
This is a basic introductory course that is broken into four units, one each for logic, epistemology, ethics, and metaphysics. The metaphysics section draws upon my expertise in multiverse cosmology to introduce the concepts in an engaging way that connects the philosophy to contemporary science.
Political Philosophy Syllabus (Fall 2012) Evaluations (Fall 2012)
This survey course places emphasis on the two standard concepts requiring study in political philosophy: distributive justice and justification for sovereignty. To provide an active, hands-on experience of these concepts, students receive “resources” in the form of points that they are free as a “society” to distribute as they please at course’s end.
Myth and Science Syllabus (Fall 2008) Evaluations (Fall 2008)
Myth and science share the same ultimate goal: to provide explanations for the phenomena of the world around us. In this course, the thread connecting mythology and science is explored through study of ancient Greek works.
Critical Reasoning Syllabus (Fall 2004)
This course encourages students to think about thinking. The main course objective is for students to be able to employ strong use of reason when presenting their ideas to others while at the same time avoiding the traps others may set through the use of poor reasoning.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Courses (University of Pittsburgh)
Philosophy of Cosmology: The Multiverse Course Schedule (Spring 2018) Evaluations (Spring 2018)
Surprisingly, the multiverse hypothesis—the hypothesis multiple universes exist—has been proposed by various thinkers spanning thousands of years. Studying this historical thread provides deep insight regarding the challenges, development, and emergence of scientific disciplines. This course explores various historical accounts of the multiverse hypothesis and invites discussion about the philosophical implications of those accounts.