Teaching

My teaching interests are broad, including philosophy of mind and cognitive science, general philosophy of science, philosophy of medicine, analytical thinking, and social philosophy. I design my courses to benefit students with diverse interests, focusing on transferable critical skills, science literacy, and engagement with topics that have significance to daily life. I take philosophy education (and humanities education, more generally) to be an indispensable component of a liberal arts education, and the education of informed and critical citizens. I strive to serve that mission in my teaching.

I experiment often with my course designs. I incorporate multimedia resources and universal design into my course materials. And lately I’ve been integrating techniques such as mastery-based assessment design, argument mapping, just-in-time teaching (JiTT), and discussion circles. I generally try to encourage student choice, agency, and responsibility in my classes.

Teaching Experience

Modules developed and taught

  • Disease, Disorder, and Disability (TCU Honors)

  • Philosophy and Science of Social Justice (TCU Honors)

  • Mind and Matter (TCU Honors)

  • Understanding Science (TCU Honors)

  • Critiquing Scientific Inference: Cognitive Psychology (University College Dublin, Philosophy MA/Cognitive Science MSc)

  • Social Philosophy (University of Pittsburgh Philosophy)

  • Empiricism and Language in 20th Century Analytic Philosophy (Swarthmore College Philosophy; as undergraduate instructor)

  • Introduction to Philosophy (Lake Ridge Academy elective)

Supervision

PhD dissertation, committee member

  • K. Elaine Lysinger, English (in progress)

Honors Thesis, co-chair

  • Claire Simmons, Psychology (2019)

Honors Theses, committee member

  • Liz Delapaz, Design (in progress)

  • Matthew Dena, Political Science (2022)

  • Michael Bamberg, Philosophy (2021)

  • Cheyenne Elliott, Psychology (2017)

Other selected teaching-related activity

  • Honors College Curriculum Committee (2018–2022)

  • Certified to teach hybrid and online modules (2020)

  • Faculty Partner: Frog Camp (2019)

  • Organizer: “Disagreement in Dublin” study abroad excursion (2017)

  • Teaching Fellow Mentor, University of Pittsburgh Department of Philosophy (2012–2013)

  • Course organizer: University of Pittsburgh Department of Philosophy Teaching Practicum (2012)

  • Mentor/discussant: Baginski Scholar Program, Central Catholic High School (2011–2012)

Teaching links