
- Aug 05, 8:00 AM PDT – Aug 06, 3:00 PM PDTZoomIf you're a Cogtweeto fan, you probably know what it means to study philosophy. But what does it mean to *teach* it? This two-day special workshop is all about that question. Join us for talks, panels, teaching and public philosophy demos, "pro-tips," and more!
TEACHTOK
teaching /
public philosophy demo
Purpose
practice teaching a (new) philosophical topic in an engaging, accessible, and public-facing way; get feedback on what did and didn't work
Submission: A written proposal OR <3-minute video
-
Statement of intended teaching context — will this be a classroom teaching demo or an exercise in public philosophy? Who is your audience? (<50 words)
-
Description of topic and how, specifically, you intend to present it (e.g., powerpoint, discussion, activity, etc.) (<300 words)
-
Specific features of the presentation you hope to receive feedback on (<200 words)
-
Brief summary of teaching experience (both overall and with the proposed topic, if any) (<150 words)
Intended Audience
general, no background in philosophy required
1 hour total
30 min teaching/activity
5-10 min q&a
20-25 min feedback
NEW TAKE ON OLD IDEAS
lecture
Purpose
share a new way of presenting a philosophical topic (either by direct demonstration or discussion of it); get feedback on new approach
Submission: A written proposal
-
Description of topic and proposed new approach/way of framing
-
Explanation of philosophical &/or pedagogical motivations for, & benefits of, proposed approach/way of framing (<400 words)
-
Explanation of how the proposed approach/framing differs from typical ones for that topic (<300 words)
-
(if relevant) Summary of your experiences teaching with the proposed approach/new way of framing (<250 words)
-
List of potential courses/areas where this approach to the topic could be implemented
Intended Audience
fellow philosophy instructors, those with background in philosophy
50 min total
30 min presentation
20 min q&a
"OK, BUT
CAN WE TALK ABOUT _____"
panel/roundtable discussion
Purpose
discuss an issue, topic, or pressing challenge related to teaching philosophy/teaching in acade philosophy (e.g., inclusivity, ChatGPT, balancing workloads, political issues, etc.); consider possibly solutions or ways forward
Submission: A written proposal
-
Pitch for proposed roundtable/panel discussion (<450 words)
-
Description of proposed format (how many speakers, whether they will mini presentations prior to open discussion, what those presentations would be about)
-
Name, email, relation to academic philosophy (e.g., student, instructor, former student/instructor, non-philosophy academic), and twitter handle (if relevant) of presenter(s)
-
List of prospective questions/topics to discuss
Intended Audience
fellow philosophy instructors,
1 hour total
5-15 min per presenter
20-25 min discussion
TEACHING PHIL
"TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
AS A
WAY OF___"
lecture
Purpose
what is philosophy? how do we communicate the nature of philosophy, its value, expertise, methods, & practitioners through our teaching? these talks should expand & challenge how we think of the aims, possibilities, values, & nature of teaching philosophy
Submission: A written proposal
-
Extended abstract outlining proposed framing of teaching philosophy "as a way of _____" (should include some combination of explicit discussion of what philosophy is, the value of it, what constitutes expertise in philosophy, and who philosophy is for (500-750 words)
-
Specific, concrete examples of ways to implement proposed framing in the classroom (e.g., assignments, topics, assessments, grading, activities, readings, syllabi) (300-500 words)
Intended Audience
fellow philosophy instructors, those with background in philosophy
50 min total
30 min presentation
20 min q&a
COURSE
COURSE NARRATIVE
AND DESIGN
lightning talk
Purpose
present, compare, & discuss what makes for a good philosophy course; propose different through-line narratives for framing courses; promote ways of moving beyond the canon & organizing classes merely according to discrete content-units
Submission: A written proposal
-
Proposed course title/topic
-
Outline of proposed course structure (list of topics, readings, and/or assignments — whatever is relevant to narrative)
-
Explanation of overarching course-narrative and the philosophical &/or pedagogical motivations behind it (<400 words)
-
Brief description of philosophical &/or pedagogical costs/limitations
(if any) of proposed course-narrative (<100 words)
Intended Audience
fellow philosophy instructors
30 min total
10-15min presentation
15-20 min q&a
ASSESSING ASSESSMENT
lightning talk
Purpose
present and discuss an alternative approach to grading/assessment or a particular activity or assignment; share experiences and challenges with alternative grading/assessments
Submission: A written proposal
-
Description of an alternative approach to grading/assessment (generally) or to a particular (kind of) activity or assignment
-
Pitch for this alternative approach, including explanation of the theoretical basis of, motivations for, and your experiences with, using the proposed approach, activity, or assignment (<600 words)
-
List of benefits and trade-offs, with special attention to workload, inclusivity, accessibility, & potential institutional considerations
(<250 words)
Intended Audience
fellow philosophy instructors
30 min total
10-15min presentation
15-20 min q&a
LIFE PRO-TIPS
teaching philosophy edition
Purpose
share a bite-sized easy-to-implement "pro tip" or learning tool to improve teaching in philosophy
Submission: A written proposal
-
Description of philosophy teaching "life pro-tip" (LPT) (<50words)
-
Explanation of the LPT's pedagogical motivations/payoffs (as well as possible difficulties/costs) (<100words)
-
Concrete example of LPT application/use, ideally from your own teaching experience (<100words)
-
Concrete suggestions for implementing the tool; examples (if any) of pitfalls to avoid while using it (<50words)
Intended Audience
fellow philosophy instructors
10 min total
5-7 min presentation
3-5 min q&a