On this page: Teaching Statement; Teaching Experience; Support Materials
Teaching Statement
This is just an introduction to my teaching philosophy. Please click on the PDF link at the end of this section to download my teaching philosophy. For me, teaching is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of academia. This view is not commonly-held in some parts of our discipline. Many of the incentives lead an individual to place a lot of emphasis into other aspects of his or her career. This is not an indictment against anyone who focuses on research, publication, or recognition. This is not to say that I do not find those other aspects to be worthwhile. It is simply recognition of the fact that our students (especially the undergraduates) are often only an afterthought in a typical day. When we do think about them, we often think (or speak) about how we wish they were smarter, more analytical, and less vulnerable.
A teacher’s ability to deliver on these goals, in my mind, has just as much to do with what an instructor does outside the classroom as what happens inside the classroom. Herein lies the great contradiction of academia. A professor, in the eyes of students, is much like the dictionary definition of the word (see here). They expect us to teach them some acquired knowledge in such a way that they can understand, comprehend, and learn from us. In the eyes of the discipline, we are often expected to act more like a researcher. It is often based on this second set of criteria that advancement occurs and decisions regarding value are made. Hence, professors often spend more of their time outside the classroom becoming better researchers, as opposed to becoming better teachers.
I try to dedicate time outside the classroom to teaching as well as researching. I want to bring new knowledge to the table, but I also want to be prepared and capable of conveying that knowledge to my students. I am not suggesting that I am always successful in this venture. I am not suggesting that a good researcher cannot be a good teacher (in fact, it has been my privilege to be taught very well by many fine researchers). What I am suggesting is that to be a good teacher and researcher, one must willing to allocate some resources to both activities. It is my personal belief that one can be successful at both pursuits. I have tried to do that in my training and look forward to continuing to do that as I move forward in my career.
Teaching Experience
Undergraduate Classes Taught
Combating Terrorism: United States Military Academy – Spring 2018, Fall 2020
Homeland Security and Defense: United States Military Academy – Spring 2014, Spring 2015
Terrorism and Counterterrorism: United States Military Academy – Fall 2013, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2018, Spring 2019
Introduction to US Government: Arkansas State University – Fall 2012, Spring 2013
Theories of International Relations: Brigham Young University – Summer 2012
Terrorism Capstone Course: Brigham Young University – Winter 2012, Summer 2012
International Conflict: Brigham Young University – Fall 2011, Winter 2012
American Foreign Policy: Florida State University – Summer 2011
National Security Affairs: Florida State University – Spring 2011; Brigham Young Univeristy – Fall 2011, Winter 2012
Introduction to International Relations: Florida State University, Summer 2009 & Fall 2010; Arkansas State University – Spring 2013
Terrorism and Politics: Florida State University, Summer 2010 & Summer 2011; Arkansas State University – Fall 2012
Research Methods in Political Science: Florida State University, Summer 2010
Graduate Classes (Teaching Assistant)
Quantitative Analysis in Political Science: Mark Souva (Instructor), Florida State University, Spring 2010
Political Science Data Analysis: Brad Gomez (Instructor), Florida State University, Fall 2009
Undergraduate Classes (Teaching Assistant)
American Government and Politics: Richard Davis (Instructor), Brigham Young University, Winter 2005
Awards
Murdy Teaching Award, United States Military Academy, 2014
2010-2011 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (nominated), Florida State University, Fall 2010
Training
Program for Instructional Excellence, Teaching Certificate, Florida State University, Fall 2009
Support Materials
Stata Stuff – This page contains .do-files, Stata lab sheets (guides for those learning how to use Stata), and some helpful links.
Terrorist Group Brief – This page contains information that students will find helpful in completing their terrorism brief assignment.
Daniel J. Milton, Ph.D. 