TJ Perkins
My Teaching Philosophy
As a teacher of philosophy, I often ask my students to engage with big questions about the world, and that can be a daunting task. However, it is important for me to foster inclusive engagement, student-centered learning, community collaboration, and accessibility and flexibility in my teaching. This way, I make more room for my students to engage with these big questions and to come away with something valuable.
Below are short course descriptions of courses I have taught, each with a sample syllabus available for download. But first...
What do my students have to say?
“Tj showed everything one could want from an instructor. He clearly cared greatly about the class, and was not set on how he was going to teach. The best trait a teacher can have is adaptability, and TJ was a fantastic example of this. He was constantly toying with the class, trying to find the best ways for the students to learn."
--Anonymous student, PHIL 3310 (Science & Society), Fall 2021
“TJ is awesome! I really love the way he runs class––it's very discussion–based and collaborative. Out of 24 readings, students only need to do 12, which makes the class much less stressful + when we actually do the readings, we do them in–depth. I also really like that each student gets to present a reading to the class each day, I think it's great practice + informs the rest of us on the reading in case we didn't do it. TJ is also just a genuinely kind professor and let's everyone contribute in class–discussions. He's very good at explaining difficult concepts and does so in a way that makes all of us feel empowered.”
--Anonymous student, PHIL 3350 (History and Philosophy of Science), Fall 2023
“Dr. Perkins is the GOAT. Hes fun, actually plays games, is really nice and hes cool af”
--Anonymous student, GAMES 3020 (Ethics in Video Games), Spring 2025
Courses Taught
History and Philosophy of Science
From the Scientific Revolution through logical positivism and Darwinian evolution, students in this class will interrogate key moments in the history of science by examining the work of figures such as Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, and Darwin through a philosophical lens. These primary texts will be considered using methods modeled by philosophers of science and applied to cases in the history of science. We will investigate scientific paradigm shifts, what constitutes a scientific theory, scientific advances and pitfalls, and how values influence scientific research.
Ethics in Video Games
This course explores the ethical dimensions of video games as both cultural artifacts and interactive experiences. We will examine questions such as: What moral responsibilities do game developers have to players and society? How do games represent violence, gender, race, and morality itself? What ethical implications arise when players inhabit virtual worlds and make choices within them? Through philosophical readings, case studies, and gameplay analysis, we will critically engage with issues at the intersection of technology, art, and ethics, developing tools to better understand the roles games play in shaping—and reflecting—our moral lives.
Introduction to Philosophy
This course explores the ethical dimensions of video games as both cultural artifacts and interactive experiences. We will examine questions such as: What moral responsibilities do game developers have to players and society? How do games represent violence, gender, race, and morality itself? What ethical implications arise when players inhabit virtual worlds and make choices within them? Through philosophical readings, case studies, and gameplay analysis, we will critically engage with issues at the intersection of technology, art, and ethics, developing tools to better understand the roles games play in shaping—and reflecting—our moral lives.
Bioethics
This course introduces students to key moral questions in medicine. Students will examine topics such as informed consent, reproductive ethics, genetic technologies, and end-of-life decision-making, grounding discussion in major ethical frameworks. The course aims to develop students’ ability to analyze complex moral problems, consider diverse perspectives, and apply ethical reasoning to real-world biomedical contexts. By the end, students will be equipped with both conceptual tools and practical insight to engage thoughtfully with contemporary bioethical debates.
Science & Society
Science and society are deeply intertwined. Our personal and collective decisions about health, our environment, and the economy are often shaped by the latest scientific findings. At the same time, science itself is shaped by social forces, as human needs and interests guide priorities and funding structures. In this course, we will explore two perspectives: first, viewing science and society as distinct but interconnected spheres, and second, examining science as a social enterprise in its own right, complete with its own norms, practices, and values. Along the way, we will engage with modern case studies—such as climate change, gene editing, and artificial intelligence—to see how these dynamics play out in pressing real-world contexts.