My Favorite Courses

Obviously, I love teaching Computer Science courses. I am also deeply devoted to the concept of a Liberal Arts and Sciences education. The AACU (www.aacu.org) calls it: Liberal education.

"A philosophy of education that empowers individuals, liberates the mind from ignorance, and cultivates social responsibility. Characterized by challenging encounters with important issues, and more a way of studying than a specific course or field of study, liberal education can be achieved at all types of colleges and universities. "General Education" (cf. below) and an expectation of in-depth study in at least one field normally comprise liberal education. "

I do think a Liberal Education is the best preparation for computer careers like Systems Analysis. However, I think it is great for other life long learning, no matter what your career. Because of my devotion to certain ideals, I try to support the College's General Education courses. Some that I have taught include: IDS 490 Senior Seminar, IDS 261 Western Civilization I, IDS 262 Western Civilization II, and Science and Math 200.
I also love to teach math courses, such as: MAT 161, Finite Math and Statistics for Business MAT 162, Applied Functions and Calculus for Business MAT 280, Discrete Math, and MAT 262, Math for Life and Art. For every course I teach, including all my Computer Science courses, I hold the ideals of a Liberal Arts and Sciences dear. Information about how I teach any course is available by email.

IDS 490 Senior Seminar
I love Senior Seminar, and first started this approach at Morningside College, which had Interdisciplianry Seminars. In my opinion, there is no better way of preparing for the future with one college class than by using Science Fiction.

IDS 261 Western Civilization I
I love Western Civ, and the way it takes the original writings that changed or represented change as a springboard for discussion. In this class, I love to challenge people's assumptions and try to put them in the shoes of people of an earlier age. Today classes do not understand that Martin Luther King Junior was NOT a hero to whites. I hope that explaining why helps prepare them to judge ideas by standards other than what is popular now.

IDS 262 Western Civilization II
Western Civ II talks about reason, art, and Faith. I am big on how independant (orthogonal) they are. Science cannot test morality, or esthetics. Appealing does not dictate truth or morality. I do not think Faith can trump reason. I start with the old Ann Landers example of hanging toilet paper. Science can tell you which way toilet paper can be pulled off easiest by a toddler, aesthetics determines what color you like, and there are even religions which say on which side the toilet paper should hang, but each of the three has its own role, and you cannot live in this world without all three.

SM 200 Methods of Science and Critical Thinking
There is definitely an overlap (in my mind) between IDS 262 and SM200. While in SM200, I try to restrain myself, but the interaction of science and religion is too important to ignore in a scientific thinking class. I will promote with a straight face things student find outrageous, presenting the arguments of the International Flat Earth Society and talking about my elephant repellant. It really gets students thinking about what is really scientific and what is not before they get into the more debatable topics. When a strongly religious student decides that science and religion need not conflict, I celebrate. When a Creationist is able to give a balanced argument about the advantages and disadvantages of a scientific technique, I have succeeded.

MAT 161 Finite Math and Statistics for Business
I first started teaching a course like this at Morningside College. It is important for students to have a good background in math.

MAT 162 Applied Functions and Calculus for Business
It is a challenge to get the ideas across in a convincing way without getting too theoretical. It is important for students to have a good background in math.

MAT 280 Discrete Math
In our hearts, we all know that Discrete is a Computer Science class. I like the interaction when we put math and CSC students together.

MAT 262 Math for Life and Art
I hve fun with this class. Look at all the different ways math shows up in real life! The day I talk about mortgages and compund interest alone repays the cost of college tuition for the student who is paying attention.