Teaching philosophy

My teaching philosophy is based on the very root of scientific understanding, i.e. learning through rational needs and arguments. People learn best by building relationships between new information and their existing body of knowledge. Such relationships provide the context that helps the student to understand the deeper meaning behind the facts, and cause the information to acquire a degree of relevance.

Good teaching is about bridging the gap between theory and practice. During lectures I attempt to put forward practical problems; problems they might face in their life. This helps draw their attention, curiosity, and enthusiasm to the information as it relate to a problem. At the end of a discussion, I ask them to solve problems based on the information or knowledge they have gleaned in class, so that, the students can feel the applied aspect of their learning and enjoy a sense of accomplishment for their education.

 

Courses I teach

Cultural Ecology - ANTH 462/ 662

Cultural ecology is the classic name for that specialty of anthropology that engages in the study of the relationships between human populations and their ecological surroundings. This includes different survival strategies or adaptations in various ecology or environments, which is also known as human adaptation.

As an offering in anthropology, the goal of this course is to broaden students' understanding of the human condition in general. Specifically, we will discuss in detail the ways in which human populations, over space and time, have coped with, adjusted to, and altered their ecological surroundings in order to survive. Students should develop an enhanced appreciation for and understanding of (1) the intimate relationship between human populations and their environments, (2) the impact of humans on their environment, and (3) the effects of the environment on human biology and culture.