Teaching

Overview

My teaching philosophy prioritizes stimulating students’ curiosity about big puzzles in the social world and encouraging them to explore creative solutions to these problems. I strive to help students develop the analytical skills they need to evaluate the validity of competing theoretical claims and vet evidence linking these claims to classroom the question at hand. I strive to make my teaching interactive, engaging, and challenging. This approach allows me to gauge how well students understand course material and keep students engaged throughout sessions. I especially enjoy challenging students to develop healthy skepticism towards course materials and information they encounter in their day-to-day lives. It is my goal to prepare them to develop original thoughts and arguments, even if they go against conventional wisdom. My teaching philosophy also emphasizes the real-world relevance of theories and concepts learned in the classroom. To this end, I supplement my lectures and seminar discussions with documentary films, news readership and listenership, policy engagement and community-service learning, among other tools. Within the classroom, my teaching philosophy rests on three principles: (i) preparedness; (ii) active participation; and (iii) real-world application and teamwork. Active engagement is closely linked to students’ levels of preparation, engagement with course material, and in-class participation. When students are prepared, they are more able to make insightful and intelligent contributions to class discussions.

Teaching Philosophy

Courses Taught