Teaching Philosophy & Interests

Since coming to Cedar Crest College, I have been concerned that students develop their communication ability, critical thinking, scientific literacy, and ethical awareness. In all my courses, from the first year onwards, I stress good writing: the planning and organization of a piece, clear prose, and correct grammar. Students also need to develop speaking skills, and my courses incorporate planned presentations as well as spontaneous dialogue and debate. Because students need to understand the difference between opinion and an argued position, I emphasize the need to support one's view through logical and/or empirical evidence.

Because of my background in anthropology, I think that students must develop an appreciation of the diversity of customs, values, and beliefs that people have around the world. Beyond simply illustrating that diversity, I try to provide explanations for why people might develop the culture patterns that they do. Ethnographic case studies are usually the best vehicle to impart this kind of understanding, and they are an effective counterpoint to better understand our own Western culture patterns. I see anthropology as an essential field for furthering cultural and self-reflection -- anthropology is a "Mirror for Man."

I do not espouse the doctrine of absolute cultural relativism. The panoply of ethnographic cases demonstrates there are "dysfunctional" societies, that is, cultures against man and cultures against woman! Thus, while we should value diversity and understand its roots, we need not abandon our most basic human values of mutual respect and beneficence.

Because of the nature of modern society, there is much to be learned before one is truly a competent national and global citizen. Thus, much of the college experience is based on simply rote learning of a store of basic knowledge through secondary sources and teachers. However, there is also room for "primary learning," that is, learning first hand about the world around us. In the biological sciences, this usually means laboratory research. In the social sciences and especially anthropology, this puts us in close contact with people in their natural, cultural contexts. This may mean ethnographic fieldwork both at home and abroad. I encourage and facilitate this kind of learning in courses and research opportunities during the school year and in the summer.