To be a good writer, I believe, one must be a good thinker; if your thoughts aren't clear, your writing won't be clear. In addition to clarifying one's thoughts, a good writer must be able to clearly express those thoughts; your audience can't read your mind, but can only read your writing. Further, to clarify one's thoughts, one must read what others have written, compare one's thoughts with the thoughts of others via discussion and argumentation, and critically evaluate others' thoughts as well as one's own.

Accordingly, I see UW20 as a course that will not only improve your abilities as a writer, but also as a reader, a discussant, a critical thinker – indeed, the course serves as an introduction to college and to the rest of your life!

My academic background is evidence of my belief in the importance of a broad, diverse, liberal education. I have degrees in math and philosophy, have taught a wide variety of courses, and have taught in the Southwest, in the South, in Taiwan, and online.