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t its most fundamental level, I believe that teaching is about engaging
the mind. It is about introducing students to a conceptual framework
with which they can begin to, in a deep and profound way, make sense
of, understand, and actively (re)produce and alter the dynamic social
world they shape and which shapes them.
photo shot on CU-Boulder campus,
summer of 2004.
It is about inspiring students to reflect intelligently about diverse
macro- and micro-level sociological issues. These issues might range
from the question of increasing concentration of media ownership
and the influence of American culture around the globe to the ways
in which the choice of this word over that one -- "terrorist"
over "revolutionary", for example -- might reflect and
potentially (re)produce a particular framework of understanding.
In short, for me, teaching is about challenging and inspiring students
to think.
Courses Taught
Below is a list of courses I have taught. I have included
a short description of each course along with links to syllabi and/or
course descriptions.
University of Denver
MCOM 2140: Newswriting and Reporting
Comments from
MCOM 2140 students
"Christof
always presented information well and the in-class exercises
were helpful and interesting."
"I learned a lot. The teacher knew what he was talking
about and the things I learned won't be forgotten."
"I really enjoyed this class because it helped me become
a much better writer."
"Christof made good use of his past professional experience
and the technology available through Blackboard to teach this
solid introductory course."
"The bringing in of people currently working in the journalism
field sealed the deal for me."
"I liked the fact that it was taught by someone with real
newsroom experience. That is much coolness."
"The instructor was energetic and eager to share his knowledge
and industry experience. He was friendly, understanding, and
certainly had a sense of humor."
"Very nice, and always willing to help students."
MFJS 2240: Online & Visual Journalism
MCOM 3190: Innovations in Mass Communications
Comments from
MCOM 3190 students
"I loved
how this class fostered group discussion."
"I really liked the teacher and the class."
"He was knowledgeable about every topic."
"The presentations were stimulating and very interesting."
MCOM 3205: International Development Communication
MCOM 4160: Mass Communication Theory
MCOM 4912: Language, Power & Globalization
CORE 2140: America through Foreign Eyes
Comments from
CORE 2140 students
"You were
challenged to not just accept the norms and to think for yourself."
"This course raised interesting questions, as well as providing
multiple perspectives from which to approach them. This is how
I was challenged to think differently."
"I learned a great deal in this course."
SOCS 1210: Understanding Communication
University of Colorado, Boulder
J-2011: Media & Public Culture
Time Periods Taught/Professional Standing
at the Time:
Fall 2000, Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Journalism and
Mass Communication, CU-Boulder
Spring 2002, Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Journalism
and Mass Communication, CU-Boulder
Fall 2003, Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Journalism and
Mass Communication, CU-Boulder
Comments from
J-2011 students
"Christof
is friendly and interacts well with his students -- and he thoroughly
covered/explained assigned materials."
"Christof did a great job of outlining the readings and
helping (us) wade through difficult texts."
"This class made me think."
J-1001: Contemporary Mass Media
Time Periods Taught/Professional Standing
at the Time:
Fall 2002, Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Journalism and
Mass Communication, CU-Boulder
Spring 2004, Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Journalism
and Mass Communication, CU-Boulder
Comments from
J-1001 students
"(Christof)
made students think critically, instead of simple regurgitation."
"The instructor was very knowledgeable and passionate about
the subject. I liked how he focused on learning objectives rather
than on specific technicalities."
"Christof was always organized and made sure his students
understood everything."
Colorado State University (CSU)
CO150: Freshman Composition
Time Periods Taught/Professional Standing
at the Time:
1996-1998, Graduate Teaching Assistant, CSU Dept. of English
Spring 1999, Adjunct Faculty Member, CSU Dept. of English
Spring 2000, Adjunct Faculty Member, CSU Dept. of English
Comments from
CO150 students
"I learned
a lot and grew quite a bit as a writer."
"I think that (Christof) is very concerned and interested
in what we, the students, have to say. It appears that he put
a lot of time into this class, and I appreciate that."
"Not since high school have I had a teacher that I felt
that I know. I can't tell you how nice it is to know the instructor
and see that he is human, not a machine."
CO250: Writing Arguments
Time Periods Taught/Professional Standing
at the Time:
Spring 1999, Adjunct Faculty Member, CSU Dept. of English
Comments from
CO250 students
"This class
has helped my writing a great deal."
University of Northern Colorado (UNC)
E122: College Composition
Time Periods Taught/Professional Standing
at the Time:
Fall 1999, Adjunct Faculty Member, UNC Dept. of English
Comments from
E122 students
"Very stimulating.
Interactive. Christof involves the whole class."
"Christof made this course a very positive experience for
me. I enjoy having him as a teacher. His outgoing, energetic
attitude made it fun."
ID108: Staying on Track -- The Four-Year Graduation
Guide for New Students at the University of Northern Colorado
Time Periods Taught/Professional Standing
at the Time:
Fall 1999, Adjunct Faculty Member, UNC Dept. of English
Course Web Sites
Today's students expect the efficient and useful integration of
the web by their instructor. I have sought to address this expectation
by building my own class web pages for several of the courses I
have taught (E122 at UNC, J-1001 and J-2011 at CU-Boulder, and MCOM
2140 at the University of Denver). At CSU, class web pages were provided (and I
used these pages) by then director-of-composition Dr. Michael Palmquist.
At DU, I have made extensive use of the online software Blackboard.
In nearly all cases where I integrated a class web page into the
overall course design, I also incorporated interactivity, meaning
I used class bulletin boards and/or listservs and e-mail to facilitate
and promote class debate, discussion, and exchange.
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Last update: July 14, 2011
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