Teaching Philosophy:

My teaching philosophy and practice is informed by radical pedagogy and community-based learning, and the experience of practicing these approaches with diverse university populations in New Mexico, Washington, and China. I see the classroom as a unique space where people can collectively raise awareness about taken for granted elements of culture and society, and gain tools to move beyond boundaries, as well as to imagine and practice alternatives. I teach highly interactive and interdisciplinary courses that engage students in both critical and creative exploration. My goal is to help students wrangle with course concepts in socially relevant ways and to apply their learning to understanding, questioning, and transforming their lives at personal and societal scales.

Experience:

I began teaching in higher education in 1998 as a professional journalist. Since then, I've taught a wide range of courses at three institutions of higher education, including the University of New Mexico, the University of Washington, and the University of Colorado at Denver's International College of Beijing.

Honors:

In 2007, I was a nominee for the highest award for teaching assistants at the University of Washington, the Excellence in Teaching Award. Award candidates are nominated by undergraduate students.

Sample Courses:

Critical and Cultural Studies (C&J 506) – a new graduate methodology course at the University of New Mexico. Students presented their final projects in a public colloquium.

Culture, Communication, and the Human Relationship with Nature – a course I created at University of Washington. Students worked on independent final projects, ranging from an investigation of the legal standing of nature to critical explorations of consumer culture. Interact with one student's project on the "Nature of Advertising" and corporate greenwashing here. View another student's video aspect of her project "Salmiotics" (Salmon + Semiotics) here. Experience another student's video aspect of her culture jamming project aimed at undoing Western human alienation ("Free Hugs" in Seattle's Pike Place Market) here: Part 1 & Part 2.

Recent Courses:

•   Critical and Cultural Studies (C&J 506) – University of New Mexico. Fall quarter, 2007
•   Introduction to Communication (C&J 101) – 100-student course with 12 undergraduate facilitators and one graduate TA. University of New Mexico. Spring quarter, 2008; Fall quarter, 2007
•   Culture, Communication, and the Human Relationship with Nature (CHID 270C)– University of Washington. Fall quarter, 2006

Selected Publications & Presentations:

•      Milstein, Tema. (2007). Learning in the field: Engaging students via experience and application. Ecologue, Fall, 2-4. (invited piece for the NCA Environmental Communication quarterly newsletter)
•      Milstein, Tema. "Survive, Critique, and Create: Guideposts for Promoting Social Justice and Environmental Justice through Radical Pedagogy, Eco Pedagogy, and Public Scholarship." Communication and Instruction Interest Group. Western Communication Association. February 2007. Seattle, WA.
•      Milstein, Tema. "The Impact of the Professional Development Seminar Series on Doctoral Education: Moving Forward/Looking Back in Doctoral Education -- Incorporating Findings from the National Re-envisioning the Ph.D. Project into Doctoral Education in Communication in the 21st Century." Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Panel Discussion. National Communication Association, November 2004. Chicago, IL.
•      Milstein, Tema. "Turning Radical: Seeking Balance in Graduate Education." Panelist. Co-sponsored with theme sessions. National Communication Association, November 2001. Atlanta, GA.