Jennifer Caseldine-Bracht

Click here for a copy of my CV

Hello and welcome to my web page!

If you are interested in IPFW philosophy outreach, please see: IPFW Philosophy Outreach or contact me at caseldij@ipfw.edu.

Professional Experience:

Instructor, Department of Philosophy, Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne. 2002- present.

Research Associate for the Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne Institute for Human Rights. I am informed by international human rights law, but write primarily as a political philosopher. 2006-present.

2010-2011 Graduate Fellow in the Bailey Scholar Program, Michigan State University.

Engaged Philosophy:

2010-2011

In the Bailey Scholar's Program, students made decisions regarding the curriculum of the class; how they would research the topics they chose to learn about, how they would assess learning and so forth.The Bailey Scholar's Progam is a unique program wherein my job was to facilitate the empowerment of student’s role in their own education. Several of us went on an engaged learning trip to Mammoth Cave National Park over spring break. We removed invasive species from the park and learned much about environmental ethics in the process.

Fall 2011

Philosophy for Children

I have started a philosophy for children program at a homeless shelter in Fort Wayne. Several IPFW students are involved in the program. My students and I work with elementary children in a long term homeless shelter, which means the children are there anywhere from six months to two years. We read books such as The Giving Tree and Lily Brown’s Paintings, as well as other philosophically appropriate books which children at the shelter have suggested.

Women's Studies

Some students in the Women's Studies 301 class worked to promote a visibility day for Planned Parenthood. The students provided information about the health care services Planned Parenthood in Fort Wayne, Indiana provides to the community.

Another student is currently teaching sports and leadership skills at a local homeless shelter.

Students choose projects that are meaningful to them. We combine theory and praxis to provide a meaningful,educational experience for both the students and the community.

Spring 2012

Little River Wetland Project

In my Ethics and Responsibility class, a few students chose to work at the Little River Wetland Project. They removed invasive species, helped put up a fence to stop Asian Carp from migrating to the Great Lakes, counted frogs and participated in other environmental projects.

Fall 2012

Animal Visbility Day

The ethics and animal class chose to host an animal visibility day. We held an event which included representatives from local organic farms, the Fort Wayne Vegan and Vegetarian Group, the Fort Wayne Co-op, the Pit Bull Coalition, H.O.P.E. for Animals, ACSPCA, Black Pines Animal Sanctuary, and student's own tables about conscientious omnivores and GMOs.