Teaching Philosophy
My pedagogical approach begins with the premise that personal experience is a starting point for knowledge,
and I have just as much to learn from my students, as they do from me. To move beyond model of education
where the teacher is viewed as the expert, I create opportunities for students to learn from each other,
such as small group facilitation, peer-reviews, and mediated large group discussions.
An education, especially in politics, gives students the opportunity to become intellectually well-rounded,
politically engaged, and critically aware. Political science education gives students the tools to
understand the world and our political landscape. Political theory, more specifically, teaches students how
to think deeply and critically about political reality. Through classroom discussions of contentious
concepts and topics, political theory teaches students how to discuss difficult topics with grace, and how
to tolerate those with different viewpoints or values. I have students toggle between canonical texts and
contemporary political theory to demonstrate how the resources provided by political theory can shed light
on contemporary questions. By creating space for conceptual openness, and encouraging compassionate debate,
I show students that disagreements, conflict, and openness are key elements of democratic engagement. This
serves one of my main pedagogical goals, which is to give students the tools to become civically engaged.
Select Course Descriptions
Below are course descriptions for some of my recent courses. If you have questions about any upcoming
courses, please email for additional information.
Politics of Nature and Technology (Fall 2024)
How do we make sense of the relationship between technology and nature when the politics of nature and
technology are often at odds with one another? For environmentalists, technological innovation is a dual
edged sword; it has the potential to solve environmental problems, but it can also cause widespread
environmental damage. In this class you will learn several political approaches for thinking about the
relationship between nature and technology including techno-optimism, ecological modernization, degrowth,
eco-managerialism, eco-authoritarianism, ecofeminism, new materialism, and traditional ecological knowledge.
Topics covered may include geo-engineering, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, the nascent space
race, pollution, renewables, plastics, and the case for reparations.
Environmental Law and Policy (Spring 2023)
While the modern environmental movement began in the 1970s, the emergence of United States environmental law
and policy began with the settling of North America. There appears to be broad agreement that the
environment merits some political protection, but how to protect the environment is a source of heated
political disagreement. In this class we will explore the history of US environmental law and policy from
the founding to the present, with special emphasis on the colonial, conservation, progressive, and modern
eras of environmental policy. After grasping the foundation of US environmental politics, we will pivot
toward contemporary political battlegrounds to discuss the politics of climate change, energy
use/consumption, and environmental justice.
Political Ideologies (Spring 2023)
Political ideologies permeate all aspects of contemporary existence. There is no escaping the effect they
have on everything from domestic and international policy, social and political organization, and the
experience of everyday life. In this course you will learn about various political ideologies and belief
systems—from left to right, and everything in between. Political ideologies often emerge out of a specific
historical context in response to what is perceived as a political problem or threat. How an ideology or
adherents frame the political problem will have a strong effect on their proposed solution/s. Furthermore,
how an ideology proposes to solve political problems will determine how proponents understand the role of
the state; who is responsible for the problem, and who is the intended beneficiary of the solution; as well
as the role of justice/the justice system, political change, and the economy. Beyond exposing you to
ideologies across the political spectrum, this course will encourage you to critically examine your own
political ideology and reflect on this in comparison with other ideologies. While the purpose of this course
is not to change your mind, this course is an opportunity to think through your ideological commitments
while experimenting with others. There may be no escape from ideological commitments, but they are subject
to change.
