Teaching Statement
As a philosopher and an educator I aim to provide a firm philosophical education that is relevant to student's lives. My courses are set up with a threefold purpose: teach students how to do philosophy well, reason well and live well by applying the lessons found in the material to their own lives. My general teaching method is to teach a "toolkit" course, where one part of the course provides a number of theoretical tools for the student, and the second gives them the ability to apply those tools to a number of different issues. This provides the student with the three lessons above, while also teaching them the utility and importance of philosophical reasoning generally.
Past Courses
Summer 2017
Introduction to Ethics ("First Summer" Freshmen Seminar)
UConn Storrs
This is a "First Summer" freshmen seminar course for incoming freshmen. This class will examine the three major aspects of ethical theory: metaethics, the study of ethical reasoning itself, normative ethics, the study of how we ought to reason ethically or do ethically and applied ethics, the application of normative ethical theory to substantive issues. Students taking this course will learn the fundamentals of the three major areas of ethical theory, as well as how to apply theoretical tools to issues in their daily lives. A substantial online discussion portion (hosted via reddit) is included to provide additional venue for discussions in the shortened summer session.
A copy of the syllabus is available by clicking here.
Spring 2017
Introduction to Logic
UConn Hartford
Logic is the study of what follows from what. This course will be an introduction to formal logic, specifically propositional logic of four different varieties (C, K3, LP, FDE). Because this course is an introduction to formal logic, it will be largely mathematical in nature. We will also discuss the philosophical implications of various different formal logics, including connections to logical paradoxes, Eastern philosophy and contemporary philosophy of logic.
A copy of the syllabus is available by clicking here.
Fall 2016
Introduction to Ethics (Business School edition)
UConn Storrs
This is an introduction to ethics class for students in the UConn Business Student Learning Community. This class will examine the three major aspects of ethical theory: metaethics, the study of ethical reasoning itself, normative ethics, the study of how we ought to reason ethically or do ethically and applied ethics, the application of normative ethical theory to substantive issues. Students taking this course will learn the fundamentals of the three major areas of ethical theory, as well as how to apply theoretical tools to issues in their daily lives. Lessons are continuously tied to the students' experience and future as business-professionals.
A copy of the syllabus is available by clicking here.
Fall 2014, Spring 2015
Introduction to Ethics
UConn Storrs
This class will examine the three major aspects of ethical theory: metaethics, the study of ethical reasoning itself, normative ethics, the study of how we ought to reason ethically or do ethically and applied ethics, the application of normative ethical theory to substantive issues. Students taking this course will learn the fundamentals of the three major areas of ethical theory, as well as how to apply theoretical tools to issues in their daily lives. Lessons are continuously tied to the students' experience and future as business-professionals.
Introduction to Ethics ("First Summer" Freshmen Seminar)
UConn Storrs
This is a "First Summer" freshmen seminar course for incoming freshmen. This class will examine the three major aspects of ethical theory: metaethics, the study of ethical reasoning itself, normative ethics, the study of how we ought to reason ethically or do ethically and applied ethics, the application of normative ethical theory to substantive issues. Students taking this course will learn the fundamentals of the three major areas of ethical theory, as well as how to apply theoretical tools to issues in their daily lives. A substantial online discussion portion (hosted via reddit) is included to provide additional venue for discussions in the shortened summer session.
A copy of the syllabus is available by clicking here.
Spring 2017
Introduction to Logic
UConn Hartford
Logic is the study of what follows from what. This course will be an introduction to formal logic, specifically propositional logic of four different varieties (C, K3, LP, FDE). Because this course is an introduction to formal logic, it will be largely mathematical in nature. We will also discuss the philosophical implications of various different formal logics, including connections to logical paradoxes, Eastern philosophy and contemporary philosophy of logic.
A copy of the syllabus is available by clicking here.
Fall 2016
Introduction to Ethics (Business School edition)
UConn Storrs
This is an introduction to ethics class for students in the UConn Business Student Learning Community. This class will examine the three major aspects of ethical theory: metaethics, the study of ethical reasoning itself, normative ethics, the study of how we ought to reason ethically or do ethically and applied ethics, the application of normative ethical theory to substantive issues. Students taking this course will learn the fundamentals of the three major areas of ethical theory, as well as how to apply theoretical tools to issues in their daily lives. Lessons are continuously tied to the students' experience and future as business-professionals.
A copy of the syllabus is available by clicking here.
Fall 2014, Spring 2015
Introduction to Ethics
UConn Storrs
This class will examine the three major aspects of ethical theory: metaethics, the study of ethical reasoning itself, normative ethics, the study of how we ought to reason ethically or do ethically and applied ethics, the application of normative ethical theory to substantive issues. Students taking this course will learn the fundamentals of the three major areas of ethical theory, as well as how to apply theoretical tools to issues in their daily lives. Lessons are continuously tied to the students' experience and future as business-professionals.