I am interested in developing pedagogy both for the classroom and for public philosophy outreach. At Arizona, I've completed the Certificate in College Teaching program, where I researched topics including role-playing, student choice, and active learning in large and online classes. In general, I aim to build classic philosophical skills (e.g. critical thinking, careful argumentation, moral development) by incorporating contemporary pedagogy (e.g. active learning, scaffolding, student choice) to better motivate and teach all students.
I've been instructor of record for seven courses thus far, each listed here with the central questions of the course as I taught it. Syllabi available on request!
210 Moral Thinking
What moral theory best solves problems in our lives? What good is theory in ethics?
325 Jewish Philosophy
How do the Jewish interpretive tradition and the philosophical tradition relate, and where do various authors fit between the two? What are the relations between G-d, religion, ethics, and humans (as individuals and communities)?
110 Logic and Critical Thinking
How can we use reasoning to help find the truth, following both formal and informal procedures?
330 Feminist Philosophy
For various traits and values associated with women, neglected by philosophers, and shaped by oppression, how should we understand them, and what place do they have in the good life?
321 Medical Ethics
What makes a good doctor? How should doctors act when shaping others' selves and the boundaries of their lives?
323 Environmental Ethics
Why and how should the environment matter to us? Consequently, what actions should we take towards it?
160D1 Justice and Virtue
What's good about goodness, justice, and virtue? How do people become good? How should we read ancient philosophers (Plato, Aristotle, Mengzi)?
Here are a few of the more interesting classroom practices I've implemented (click for assignments/rubrics where possible, feel free to reuse or adapt for your classes):
A semester-long 'mask activity' where students role-play as a philosopher
Scaffolded reading responses based on a revised Bloom's Taxonomy,Â
Argument mapping as an introduction to philosophical reasoning
A fully self-paced, specifications-graded format for asynchronous online teaching