TEACHING | Torrie Cropps

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and the think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King

COURSES TAUGHT

While at UT Dallas, I have taught and lectured in environmental sciences courses in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and the School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics. At Purdue, I taught Critical Perspectives in Agriculture and TA'd for the departmental Research Methods course. Click the course title for more information.

Energy Water & the Environment

This course is an introduction to the impacts that humans have on the environment, with emphasis on consequences of energy and water usage. This course addresses how we, as stewards, can make sound technical decisions about strategies to ameliorate those efforts.

Environmental Justice

We explored how historical and contemporary inequities and systemic oppressions impact marginalized people and their environments.

Environment in America

We explored concepts of nature largely from the latter third of the nineteenth century to the present. Through lecture, discussion, writing, and reading, we investigated the economic, social, intellectual, and cultural aspects within the evolving relationship between humans and nature.

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Critical Perspectives in Agriculture

We discussed equity, access, inclusion, and diversity in agricultural contexts. we focused on key concepts, issues, and policies that shape the experiences of marginalized populations in agricultural contexts, paying special attention to how power structures and identity shape the agricultural experience and way of life for marginalized populations.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

My approach to teaching is informed by my identities as a socially critical and interdisciplinary scholar. While these identities inform my research, they also inform how, what, and why I teach. I seek to create an inclusive, welcoming classroom environment that encourages deep, thoughtful self-reflection, discussion, and critical thinking. Classroom community is at the foundation of my approach. My dedication to teaching and students' learning experiences was recognized by the university when I was selected as a runner-up for the 4th annual Teaching Award in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at UT Dallas.

TESTIMONIALS

Dr. Cropps gave great feedback on the direction we were taking on our research and it helped me a lot with my own work.

Critical Perspectives in Agriculture student

This course fills a large void in Purdue Agriculture. It provides evidence that these topics are necessary to truly understand agricultural systems.

Critical Perspectives in Agriculture student

I liked how discussion-based the course was and I really like our group work. The in-class assignments were interesting and fun!