Faculty: Manoucher Khosrowshahi "Dr. K"

Greeting to the Student:
Dr. Khosrowshahi is a professor of political science and director of the “Middle East Outreach Program” at Tyler Junior College. He has be a Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, a Fullbright Scholar at Turkey, Thailand, and Mexico. “Dr. K” is a recipient of numerous grants from the United States Department of Education, Middle East Institute, Middle East Policy Council, Unites States Institute of Peace, Texas Council for the Humanitites, and the Texas Commission on the Arts to name only a few. He is a frequent speaker to academic, civic and religious groups. Dr. Khosrowshahi has conducted research in Mesico, Turykey, Iran, Japan, and England.

Teaching Philosophy:
I once read an essay that analogized two distinct methods of teaching. In one method, professor sees their students as empty sausage casings, ready to be stuffed with the meaty course content. The students, then, are passive recipients of the knowledge imparted by the learned professors.

In the other method the professors envision their students as oysters. These professors provide their students with the tools they need to produce the pearls from within themselves. It is this method that I embrace. As a political science teacher at the community college level, I see many students who are underprepared for college, students who lack both confidence and skill.

My job as an instructor is to teach them to be a critical thinker. My role as a teacher, however, is much more complex. I must teach them how to play an active role in their own education. I proved the tools and the agitators necessary to stimulate their ability to reason logically to be able to make clear decision as to what they think. It would be easier to “stuff” them with what I think, to give them my interpretation of a particular political even or action. It is my responsibility, however, to teach them how to produce a lifetime of pearls, for the betterment of their lives and of ours. I was fortunate that as a young college student, under prepared and immature, a teacher saw in me a pear. It has me all the difference in my life, and it is my dream that I can me the same difference in the lives of my students.

Method of Evaluation of Students:
I require 4 electronic tests, one optional final exam, and several written projects for my classes.

Professional Associations:

• The Middle East Institute
• Middle East Studies Association of North America
• Middle East Policy Council
• Texas Community College Teachers Association American Political Science Association
• American Association Community Colleges
• Middle East Outreach Council
• North Texas Community College Consortium

Personal Websites: 

• Dr. K's - Website