Teaching

I owe lots of my own enthusiasm for philosophy to the excellent teachers and mentors I've had been fortunate to have.* As a first-generation college grad myself, I know from experience how much difference a few supportive, motivating, intellectually rewarding relationships can make, especially for students who might not otherwise feel entitled to a place at the academic table. I'm glad to try to pass on the favor.

I like teaching both within and outside my research areas, and I've done lots. I've designed and taught introductory- or intermediate-level courses in philosophy of science, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, ethics, critical thinking and other subjects. I was especially involved with logic instruction at UIC: besides teaching it many times at multiple levels, I led an effort to develop a fully online version of introductory logic for Summer 2020, which has run several times since.

I've also done a good deal of interdisciplinary teaching. For example, I've taught specialized critical thinking courses to public health students at UIC and to business students at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, and I spent a semester as a TA for College Algebra.

Most recently, I've been teaching graduate-level courses at the MCMP on topics in philosophy of science.


Teaching at the MCMP

In Winter 2020-21, I taught an MA seminar on Metaphysics and the Sciences.

  • The first part of the course focused on Maudlin's Metaphysics Within Physics, which we read in its entirety. The last part looked at debates about laws in biology and the relationship between metaphysics and social science.

  • Syllabus here.

In Winter 2021-22, I'm teaching an MA seminar on Philosophy of Mathematical Practice.

  • The course examines a variety of issues in the philosophy of mathematics from a practice-oriented viewpoint: the status of axioms, the nature of proof, the role of pictures and diagrams, nondeductive methods, mathematical explanation, the development of mathematical concepts and the social epistemology of math.

  • I'm planning guest appearances from several philosophers of mathematical practice whose work we're reading, including Kenny Easwaran, Silvia De Toffoli and Alan Baker.

  • Syllabus here.

In Summer 2022, I'm teaching an MA seminar on Longtermism: Ethics and the Future.

  • Syllabus TBD.


Teaching at UIC

I was primary instructor for the following courses at UIC:

  • PHIL 102: Introduction to Logic, Spring 2020, Summer 2014, Summer 2012 & Fall 2012

  • PUBH 300: Critical Thinking in Public Health, Fall 2019 & Fall 2018

  • PHIL 201: Theory of Knowledge, Spring 2017 & Fall 2013

  • PHIL 203: Metaphysics, Fall 2016, Spring 2014 & Fall 2011

  • PHIL 204: Philosophy of Science, Spring 2015

  • PHIL 210: Symbolic Logic, Fall 2014 & Spring 2012

  • PHIL 202: Philosophy of Psychology, Summer 2013

  • PHIL 101: Introduction to Philosophy, Spring 2013


* A list that includes Michael Forest, Tanya Loughead and Ted Everett during my undergrad years, Dave Hilbert, Colin Klein, Mahrad Almotahari, Marc Lange and my thesis advisor Daniel Sutherland during grad school, and Ramin Takloo-Bighash in the math world, among others.