TEACHING

"EDUCATION IS NOT ABOUT ANSWERING QUESTIONS, BUT ABOUT QUESTIONING ANSWERS"

I really do love teaching, especially the principles of economics. I often say that I get some psychic income whenever I see the light come up on the faces of students who have been struggling to understand a concept. I regularly teach Micro-Economics Principles and Intermediate Macro-Economics. Leading students step by step to appreciate how the economy works is like painting a masterpiece. When the final piece is in place and the last student says "aahh", then all the frustrations of the semester become worthwhile.

If you would like to experience this feeling, I invite you to stop by one of my classes. For fall 1999, I shall be teaching two sections of Micro and a section of Macro Principles. You may download a copy of my Micro and Macro-Principles syllabi.

• My Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy follows what is referred to as the Socratic Method. It is my firmest belief that all (almost all) students come to my class with enough background to understand the basic concepts of economics. I move from the familiar to the unfamiliar by asking a series of related questions. It can sometimes be frustrating for students, but as each question leads them closer and closer to an understanding of the concept, the enthusiasm displayed can be quite contagious. As somebody once said, education is not about answering questions, but about questioning answers. By constantly asking why, how, what and when my students are provoked into discovering for themselves some of the concepts we cherish as economist.

• Fall 1999 Classes

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