My teaching philosophy has largely focused on getting students to grapple with the complexity of the world around them and giving them the tools to analyze the motivations behind the decision-making process, historically and at the present.  More importantly, I want my students to understand, intellectually and emotionally, that their present lives are the result of these events.  These events were created by imperfect beings very much like themselves, who often did not completely understand the implications of their actions.  I am a firm believer in developing skills that are practical, using technology and web-based material in my instructional approach.