My Philosophy of Education

Like virtually all other professors, I revel in the academic university environment.  If it were up to me, students and professors would meet over exquisite food and drink to discuss, debate and do research with no worries about being examined or graded.  We live, however, in a real world that requires a showing of how well we have mastered academic material.  This necessitates having examinations and grades.

Since students are earning academic degrees, I expect the hard work that gives  ‘value’ to these degrees of achievement.  When a person earns an “A,” this indicates the student has done excellent work.  At the same time, students should expect that I will present intellectually challenging assignments and classes which allow for the free flow of ideas and expression.  While I always intend to teach from the neutral center point of political philosophy, I will sometimes assume the role of the devil’s advocate to allow for the testing of ideas.