2016 Outstanding University Teacher Award Winner, Tenure Track

John Baldwin, Ph.D.

Ph.D. in Communication, Arizona State University (1994)
Professor, School of Communication

Teaching Philosophy

Students learn best to be active, engaged citizens by engaging with the material through dialogue, activity, and research, with the study of complex social phenomena requiring a multi-disciplinary, multi-method approach to knowledge.

A valuable approach that I bring to my teaching practice

Mentoring students in one-on-one situations in projects and research. This type of interaction helps the student learn from one-on-one dialogue and helps the instructor learn from the individual student.

For me, the least favorite part of teaching

Grading, especially putting the final numbers on projects. I enjoy shaping ideas and seeing students grow, but sometimes, I feel that having to put an evaluative number on their progress is stifling to their growth.

The three most important approaches that I bring to my teaching practice

Classroom dialogue, often over difficult issues

Classroom application exercises, including case studies video analyses, small-group discussions

Training in different research methods to see complex social phenomena like racism or the construction of gender from different “knowledge” windows

Photo of John Baldwin — “I like seeing people grow in their understanding of social reality, specifically communication and hope that this will make a difference in their relationships, workplace interactions, and involvement as active citizens in a diverse world.”