• Semester: Fall 2022
  • Instructor: Kalef, Justin
  • Description:

    How should we teach philosophy? This general question has moral, prudential, strategic, and tactical interpretations, and a plausible answer on one reading of the question is often a poor one on other readings. These general tensions can also be found in many specific teaching questions, which makes the problems of teaching philosophy more difficult, more interesting, and at times rather pressing. But even among the most dedicated philosophy teachers, many of these problems are seldom discussed or even considered.

    This seminar aims to bring many of these problems to light and discuss practical solutions to them. Common teaching strategies and techniques will be assessed against the practical and moral considerations that come with the current postsecondary system.

    My seminar does not aim to provide participants with a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching. I have spent the last two decades learning and experimenting with a wide range of teaching approaches and techniques, as well as developing and testing several of my own. What may suit one teacher very well may be a bad fit for others. After presenting any problem in philosophical teaching, I seek to provide a variety of plausible solutions.

    I aim not only to provide participants with an awareness of the problems of teaching philosophy and a set of viable practical solutions to them, but also to encourage them to develop and refine their own solutions to these problems.

  • Credits: 3
  • Syllabus Disclaimer: The information on this syllabus is subject to change. For up-to-date course information, please refer to the syllabus on your course site (e.g. Canvas) on the first day of class.