Teaching Philosophy

In a 2007 edition of Phi Beta Kappa’s American Scholar, William Deresiewicz published a provocative essay on the state of “Love on Campus.” Though aspects of the argument are problematic, the central thesis was particularly compelling and resonates well with my own teaching philosophy. Drawing on the Platonic dialogues, Deresiewicz argues that teaching is ultimately about relationships and that, at its best, the bond that develops between students and teachers can be described as a form of love.

This language may seem melodramatic, but my own experience as both a student and teacher suggests that it is not altogether inappropriate. In my mind, the goals of education are best met when teachers are able to move beyond imparting information and training students to perform certain tasks. Liberal education becomes truly liberal when it is able to move students to reconsider their deepest convictions about themselves and their world in the face of new ideas and perspectives. Because these moments are most likely to arise in the context of relationships founded on trust and affection, I consider the development of these bonds to be my primary task as a teacher.

There is no doubt that my areas of study have shaped my teaching philosophy in this regard. Indeed, the study of religion and morality seem to be unique in that they are intricately tied to the existential self-reflection that is the hallmark of a liberal education. Whether I like it or not, the material we discuss in my courses provokes my students to question many of their foundational beliefs. It is my task to help them explore these uncharted waters and this task is, at times, deeply personal ... read more

Courses

Marymount Manhattan College

Introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Fall 2011)

This course offers an introduction to the major religions of the West (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) that focuses on their historical development, grounding concepts, and dominant practices. Special attention will be devoted to the common lineage of these traditions and the radical divergences between them, leading up to a consideration of the religious divisions that trouble our world today. Selected readings from primary sources, audio-visual material, and site visits will provide vital data for the course (3).
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Religion and Sexuality (Spring 2011, Fall 2011)

This course examines the often intimate connection between religion and sexuality. Emphasis will be placed on the ways a variety of religious traditions have both imagined and constructed human sexuality, with special attention to creativity and reproduction, rites of passage, ritual behavior and sexual conduct, the sexual act(s), eroticism and the mystical path, sex and gender roles (especially marriage), and sexual orientation. The course will conclude with a consideration of a contemporary issue (e.g., abortion or same-sex marriage) that is at the intersection of religion and sexuality. Prerequisite: WRIT 101 (3).
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Religion and Politics (newly developed course)

This course will introduce students to the various ways religion has influenced (and been influenced by) politics throughout history and across cultures. To do so, this course will address five specific issues, 1) How religion has influenced the most prominent theories about the nature and function of government; 2) The various ways individuals have conceptualized the relationship between religion and law; 3) The role religion has played in elections and political participation, more generally; 4) How religions have instigated, justified, and/or challenged the use of military force to wage war; and 5) The historical and ideological relationship between religion and terror. Prerequisite WRIT 101 (3).
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Islam (Spring 2011)

This course offers a thorough introduction to the history, beliefs, and practices of Islam. Beginning with the cultural and religious context from which this tradition arose, the course goes on to explore the life of the prophet Muhammad, the teachings of the Qur’an, central doctrines and rituals, and the diversity of global Islam. Finally, we will examine the relationship between Islam and modernity, as well as the way that Islam and Muslims are perceived in post-9/11 America. Prerequisite: WRIT 102 & RS 115, 200 or 216; or permission of the department (3).
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Comparative Religious Ethics (Fall 2011)

In this course students will be introduced to the sources and patterns of moral reasoning within a variety of historical religious traditions. Though we will compare the diversity of approaches within and across these traditions, special attention will also be devoted to a comparison of these religious patterns of moral reasoning with secular moral philosophy. to facilitate these comparisons, we will discus a wide range of arguments from each tradition about a handful of moral problems (e.g., sexuality, war, the environment, etc.). Prerequisite: WRIT 102, PHIL 103, & one RS course (3).
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Theory and Method in the Study of Religion (newly developed course)

This course which is required of all majors in Philosophy and Religious Studies, examines both classic and contemporary approaches to the study of religion. Students will begin by exploring canonical theories about the origin, nature, and function of religion, including those proposed by Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Freud, James Otto, and Eliade. Then the course turns to religious studies as a contemporary academic discipline: its formation and history, its relation to other disciplines (such as theology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and the natural sciences), its most prominent voices, and its most vigorous current debates. Students will consistently apply the theoretical and methodological alternatives under study to concrete test cases from a variety of religious traditions. Prerequisites: WRIT 102 and one RS course (3).
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The Islamic Ethics of War and Peace (newly developed course)

This course investigates the diversity of Islamic theological arguments about the ethics of war and peace. More specifically, students will be introduced to the concept of “jihad,” its place within the authoritative sources of the tradition, the way the term has developed throughout history, and the various ways irregular forms of warfare (most notably “terror”) have been justified and challenged within this theological context. Simultaneously, students will explore the socio-historical contexts in which these ethical positions developed. We will begin by identifying the place of coercive force in the life of the Prophet and his earliest caliphate, note its significance during the medieval period of Islamic expansion and empire, and end with extended discussions of the contemporary activity of Muslim terrorists. At all points along the way, students will be urged to reflect upon the way these arguments might reinforce and/or challenge contemporary discourse about Islam in the West. Prerequisites: WRIT 102 & RS 115 or 220; or permission (3).
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The Christian Ethics of War and Peace (newly developed course)

This course investigates the diversity of Christian theological arguments about the ethics of war and peace. More specifically, students will be introduced to “just war theory,” its relationship to the authoritative sources within the tradition, the way this theory had developed throughout history, and the ways irregular forms of warfare have been justified and challenged within this theological context. Simultaneously, students will explore the socio-historical contexts in which these ethical positions developed. We will begin by identifying the place of coercive force in the early Christian community, note its significance during the medieval period of Christian expansion and empire, and end with extended discussions of the use of violence in contemporary Christian-majority states. Prerequisite: WRIT 102 & RS 115 or 220; or permission of the department (3).
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Capstone in Philosophy and Religious Studies: Advanced CRE (Spring 2011)

This is an integrative and interdisciplinary capstone course for the Philosophy and Religious Studies major, intended for juniors and seniors who have completed most of their major departmental requirements. A different topic or series of topics will be covered in any particular semester and the course may, on occasion, be team taught. Topics covered include: Theories of Human Nature, Free Will, God and the Problem of Evil. Prerequisites: PHIL 101, 103 & 322 & RS 120 (3).
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Lake Forest College

Religious Ethics (Fall 2009)

An introduction to the sources and patterns of moral reasoning within the traditions of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism, by comparing arguments from each tradition on issues of sexuality and the ethics of war and peace.
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Islam (Fall 2009)

This course examines the history of Islam, the teachings of different philosophical schools, and the literature of Islamic societies. The roots of the religious tradition as well as its development in different cultural contexts will be examined. Students will read texts drawn from Middle Eastern, Asian, European, and North American Muslim sources. (Meets GEC Cultural Diversity Requirement.)
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Approaches to the Study of Religion (Spring 2010)

What is religion? What important theories have emerged about the origins of religion? This course explores a variety of academic approaches to the study of religion, emphasizing the methodologies of religious studies as an autonomous discipline. The course will focus on the studies of religionists as well as those framed by psychologists, sociologists, and scholars from other disciplines. Prerequisites: Junior standing and 2 Religion courses, or permission of instructor.
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Florida State University

Religious Ethics and Moral Problems (Fall 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008)

This course is an introduction to the study of religious ethics. As such, students will be introduced to the sources and patterns of moral reasoning within the historical traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. Comparative by design, this course encourages students to understand and appreciate the similarities and differences between and within these moral traditions. Focusing on two broad moral problems (sexuality and justified killing), students will be introduced to a wide range of religious arguments about homosexuality, gender equality, capital punishment, and the ethics of warfare.
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Additional Syllabi and Further Teaching Competencies

The Problem of God | syllabus
Religion and Law
Religion and War
Religion and Human Rights
Christian Ethics
Islamic Ethics
Islamic Political Thought | syllabus
Catholic Social Thought
Islam, Gender, and Sexuality
Rawls and Religion | syllabus
Comparative Religious Ethics: History and Development | syllabus