Teaching at Washington & Lee University

Here are descriptions, syllabi, and sample materials for the courses I have taught as an Assistant Professor at Washington & Lee University:

• Seminar in Ethics and Value Theory: Love and Commitment (PHIL 396B)
  • Description: In this seminar, we will examine a series of questions about love and commitment. Some of the question we will address include: What is the source of the normativity of our commitments? Should we always prioritize our moral commitments over our personal ones? Is our partiality toward our loved ones morally justifiable? Why is heartbreak one of the worst pains a person can feel?
  • Syllabus (Fall 2023)
• Decision Theory (PHIL 371)
  • Description: In this course, students will explore ways that rational decision-making both by individuals and by groups has been modeled in philosophy, political science, economics, and other social sciences. In addition to learning about the formal foundations of decision theory, students will be introduced to contemporary debates among philosophers working in decision theory.
  • ​​Syllabus (Winter 2023)
  • Sample final exam with solutions
• ​Aesthetics (PHIL 264)
  • Description: In this course, we will examine a series of philosophical questions about art. Questions include: What is art? What makes art good or bad, and who decides? Can morally bad art be good art? How should we engage with the art of immoral artists? What are the varieties of aesthetic experience we have in our everyday lives? Why care about art at all?
  • Syllabus (Winter 2024)
• Philosophy of Race (PHIL 253)
  • Description:  In this course, students will consider a series of philosophical questions concerning race and racism, paying special attention to the ways we think and talk about race. Questions we will address include: What is race? What is racial oppression? What is the relationship between racism and capitalism? Why are racial stereotypes so pervasive? Why is hate speech harmful? Should colleges no-platform racist speakers? What is the best way to respond to racism?
  • Syllabus (Fall 2023)
• Introduction to Moral and Political Philosophy (PHIL 104)
  • Description: This course provides an introduction to moral and political philosophy by exploring two vexing conflicts. First is the conflict between morality and individuality: what should we do when the right thing to do, morally speaking, is different than the right thing to do for us? Is it okay for us to pursue personal projects when we could do so much more good if we devoted our lives to promoting the welfare of others? Second is the conflict between moral responsibility and moral luck: how can we hold people responsible for their wrongdoings (and legally punish them) if the circumstances we are born into–and that make us who we are–are simply a matter of luck? Is the aim of the US criminal justice system to hold people responsible for their wrongdoings because they deserve it? Does it achieve that aim? In the process of exploring these conflicts, students will develop critical reading and writing skills as well as the ability to engage in productive, respectful discussion.
  • Syllabus (Fall 2022)​

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Teaching at the University of Michgian

Here are the courses I taught and samples of materials I prepared as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) at the University of Michigan:

• Rational Choice Theory (PHIL 443) for Jim Joyce in Fall 2020 and Fall 2021
  • ​Rational Choice Theory midterm study guide​
• Symbolic Logic (PHIL 303) for Jamie Tappenden in Winter 2020
  • Logic midterm study guide
  • After the University of Michigan moved courses online due to COVID-19, I began making videos covering material that I would have gone over in class with my students so they could watch them on their own time. Here's my YouTube channel.
• Groups and Choices (PHIL 444) for Brian Weatherson in Fall 2019
• Ethics (PHIL 361) for Dan Lowe in Winter 2019
  • Handout on cultural moral relativism
  • Handout on utilitarianism
• Law and Philosophy (PHIL 359) for Ishani Maitra in Fall 2018
  • Handout on the constitutional right to privacy
  • Handout on religious accommodations

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Introduction to Philosophy Resources

I prepared some teaching resources for Maegan Fairchild's Fall 2020 PHIL 101 course at Michigan. These materials might be useful to anyone teaching an introductory philosophy course, or a course discussing personal identity, free and determinism, skepticism, and related topics. 

• Here is an annotated list of podcasts, videos, and popular writing.
• Here is a list of discussion topics and questions that push students to take the material further. These may be helpful for lesson planning.

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Last day of class gingerbread house with my Fall 2023 philosophy of race students!

My amazing Winter 2023 decision theory students at W&L. I was constantly blown away by their philosophical prowess! I made dinner for our last seminar meeting, where they presented their paper topics. They are going on to do amazing things. Hayley is at Duke Law, James is at UVA law, Reevie works at a psychology clinic, Ngoc is a star on the W&L ethics bowl team, and Ashton, Josh, Nick, Roman, and Sean are all enrolled in my Fall 2023 seminar :')

Shannon, a student in my and Jim Joyce's Rational Choice Theory class, made this incredible drawing for us. It features my sister's dog (Tuukka) and Jim's dog (Hobbes) and is full of inside jokes from the class! Ever better wine, anyone?