Teaching

Making course material relevant, inspiring students to stretch themselves intellectually, and empowering students to become independent thinkers and engaged citizens are characteristics that define my teaching.  In order to ensure student success, I make course materials resonate with students in interesting ways.  For example, on the first day of class I send students on a sociological scavenger hunt seeking answers to questions related to the course topic.  In my political sociology course I ask students questions like:

“Where was the current university president previously employed?”

“How much foreign debt does South Africa currently owe the World Bank and IMF?”

“Which nations did the food come from for your breakfast?”

“How much of their original lands do Native Alaskans currently control?  How does this compare with Native Americans in the lower 48?”

By relying on activities like this, I create a didactic toolbox that I can refer to throughout the semester as we study topics such as the interlocking of elites, the influence of colonialism and Western development models on global poverty, and the different strategies used by groups to exert power.  Students appreciate such references to their own lives and surroundings, making the learning experience much more interesting.

Making a course interesting is important because it helps inspire students to stretch themselves intellectually.  I appreciate the opportunity to partake in my students’ intellectual development because it keeps me engaged and learning as well.  As the old adage goes, there is no better way to master a subject than by teaching it to another.  Hence, inspiring students to wrestle with a subject sharpens my own thinking and makes me a better scholar. 

 I also like that my efforts to motivate students intellectually can result in their becoming independent and empowered thinkers.  Thus, I teach in part because of the satisfaction I receive watching students develop intellectually, knowing that I made a contribution to this development.  I also do it because I believe that the educator's most crucial role is to help nurture a critical and democratic spirit.  That I am able to assist in the development and creation of informed citizens gives me the satisfaction that I am making a small contribution to a more just and equitable world.

I have taught the following courses:

Courses Taught at the University of Idaho

Development of Social Theory	Social Conflict
Dynamics of Social Protest	Political Sociology
Introduction to Sociology	Police and Social Control

 

Courses Taught at the University of Alaska

Social Change	Political Sociology
Introduction to Sociology	Research Methods
Social Statistics

 Courses Taught at the University of Colorado

Social Statistics	Social Conflict and Social Values
Research Methods	Environment and Society
Social Theory	Social Problems
Advanced Statistics	Introduction to Sociology