Teaching

I have experience teaching a range of classes, including Intro to Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, and The Philosophy of Technology.

My main goal as a teacher is to get students to engage profoundly with philosophical questions. Why is there something rather than nothing? Why should being alive feel like something rather than nothing (the mystery of consciousness)? How do we know things? Could we ever create an artificial intelligence with consciousness? University is a place where students have the chance to contemplate themes and aspects of life that they may not be exposed to otherwise, and I am privileged to be part of this experience. Reflecting on philosophical questions may not make your life better, but there is a good chance it will make your life much richer and more interesting.

Students in my classes will also develop skills applicable to ‘real life’. Contrary to popular belief, doing philosophy doesn’t require genius (or a white beard and a toga) – it involves teachable skills that are integral to developing critical thinking. In my classes students learn to decipher complex texts and reconstruct the arguments they contain, evaluate these arguments, craft original objections and arguments, as well as to express themselves on paper in a clear and concise manner.

Teacher Training

I have completed a 1.5 year teaching certificate program at UBC, offered to grad students through the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology.

“The Certificate Program in Advanced Teaching and Learning is a year and a half long (September 2016 – December 2017) teaching development program that supports the development of graduate students’ expertise in teaching and learning. It serves both graduate students seeking excellence in teaching and learning in their future roles as faculty, as well as those who will apply the skills outside of traditional faculty roles. The Certificate Program in Advanced Teaching and Learning prepares graduate students who seek faculty positions focused on teaching and learning specifically, and more broadly creates a cohort of graduate students positioned for future educational leadership.”

I have also completed the UBC Graduate Pathways to Success Instructional Skills Workshop.

“The workshop consists of teaching practice, theory application, and topical sessions specifically relevant to Teaching Assistants and Graduate Students at UBC. During the workshop you will teach three short lessons and receive feedback from your peers. You will work closely with peers and trained facilitators (who are themselves UBC graduate students). In this supportive atmosphere you will have a chance to begin to develop new teaching skills, to enhance existing skills, and/or to try new and challenging ideas.”

Teaching Experience at Capilano University  

Summer 2020: Instructor – Introduction to Ethical Theory (x2)

Spring 2020: Instructor – Critical Thinking

Teaching Experience at Corpus Christi College 

Fall 2019: Instructor – Introduction to Philosophy

Fall 2018: Instructor – Introduction to Philosophy

Teaching Experience at UBC 

Summer 2017: Instructor – The Meaning of Life

Spring 2017: Instructor –  Minds and Machines

Summer 2016: Instructor – The Philosophy of Technology

As Teaching Assistant (includes discussion sections and guest lectures):

  • Phil 101 Introduction to Philosophy (4x)
  • Phil 102 Introduction to Philosophy II (2x)
  • Phil 120 Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking
  • Phil 125 Introduction to Scientific Reasoning
  • Phil 212 Greek Philosophy II
  • Phil 220 Symbolic Logic I (2x)
  • Phil 339 Philosophy of Art
  • Phil 375 Philosophy and Literature (2x)
  • Phil 434 Business and Professional Ethics