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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 DenverMCOM 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, BoulderJ-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 SitesToday'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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