Edward Warren

Teaching Philosophy / Goals

Over the years I've found that students are greatly interested in history and public affairs -- what's going on today in the world, and what forces and events from the past have contributed to today's headlines and news stories. Students want to know about what happens in the world and why, and the study of history, government, and public policy is one of the most important intellectual tools which students can use to cultivate their understanding. What I try to do through carefully selected readings and writing assignments is to develop a floor, or factual basis, for understanding these events for each student. Through presentations and discussions in class I try to establish the most important points, explain the significance of key events, and provide a thoughtful explanation for how and why something happened, or why a social, economic, or intellectual trend or idea had a significant impact on the course of history. My approach is to explain things carefully and clearly so what's written in texts or articles comes alive and gains real meaning through interaction with the instructor. My goal is that each of my students becomes an informed person -- one who is aware of his/her political, social, cutural and economic history and background, so that today's life can be lived in an engaged and knowledgebale fashion!

Interests

My intellectual interests are wide-ranging starting with an academic career that began in political science and the study of public policy. But over the years my interests have expanded and broadened and I am now teaching courses in American history, economic history, and constitutional law as well a business and professional ethics. I'm really intrigued by how pressure groups influence public policy formation, and the course which I teach to juniors majoring in business administration deals in-depth with the impact of economic and social forces upon business, the economy, and the public policies that link citizens to their government. I like to use carefully selected, well written case studies as a teaching tool in a variety of my courses -- they really bring home to the student the interesting details and ways of policymaking.

Courses I Teach

American History I
American History II
Business, Government & Regulation
Business & Professional Ethics
American Economic History
Technology & World Economic History
Technology & World Economic History
American Constitutional Law
World History Since 1945