Courses
Dr. Nathan C. Walker is an undergraduate and graduate instructor and curriculum developer for the following courses in Rutgers Honors College, the Department of Philosophy and Religion, the Digital Studies program, and for the graduate programs in Emerging Media, Computer Science, and Data Science in the College of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University–Camden.
AI Ethics & Law
A graduate seminar that examines the multinational, national, and corporate regulatory systems that seek to govern the artificial intelligence movement.
Departments: Honors College; Emerging Media; Computer Science; Data Science
Disciplines: Ethics, U.S. Law, Computer Science, Digital Studies, Liberal Studies
Awards: 2024 Chancellor’s Grant for Pedagogical Innovation
Notes: Started as an Honors College seminar. Currently listed as a required graduate course under the M.A. and M.P.S. Emerging Media programs and as an elective for the M.S. Data Science and M.S. Computer Science programs.
AI & Society
Examines how AI systems that aim to emulate human learning, reasoning, self-correction, and perception impact humanity, societies, and the natural world.
Departments: Philosophy & Religion; Digital Studies; advertised by the undergraduate Computer Science program
Disciplines: Ethics, U.S. Law, Computer Science, Digital Studies, Liberal Studies
AI & Vulnerable Populations
Applies what the United Nations calls a vulnerability lens to evaluate the impact of artificial intelligence on children, women, racial and ethnic minorities, and other vulnerable populations.
Departments: Honors College
Disciplines: Human Rights Law, Global Studies, Computer Science, Digital Studies, Liberal Studies
Awards: 2025 Chancellor’s Special Initiative Fund
Experiential Learning Honors Seminar
Provides professional development opportunities for Teaching Assistants in Dr. Walker’s courses, with a focus on research mentorship, instructional design, and reflective practice.
Departments: Honors College
Disciplines: Teaching and Learning, Digital Studies, Liberal Studies
Happiness
Explores evidence-based approaches to human flourishing and well-being.
Departments: Philosophy & Religion; Health Sciences; Honors College
Disciplines: Ethics, Psychology, Health Sciences, Global Studies, Religious Studies, Liberal Studies
Awards: 2022 Extraordinary Teaching Award
Notes: Began as an Honors College pandemic-era workshop on resiliency, then an Honors College seminar, and is currently offered in the Departments of Philosophy & Religion and Health Sciences.
Independent Studies
Provides supervised research for undergraduates to explore a topic of their choice and develop advanced skills in scholarly inquiry and writing.
Departments: Philosophy & Religion; Digital Studies
Disciplines: Liberal Studies, Research Methods
Religion & Culture
Examines contemporary expressions of religion and spirituality in American society in five sectors: arts, education, families, media, and the environment. Developed in partnership with CBS News.
Departments: Philosophy & Religion
Disciplines: Religious Studies, American Studies, Liberal Studies
Awards: 2022 Interfaith America Campus Curriculum Grant
Religion & Health
Examines the response of American religious communities to the pandemic and the intersection of religion and health in American public schools and hospitals.
Departments: Philosophy & Religion; Health Sciences
Disciplines: Religious Studies, Health Sciences, U.S. Law, Political Science, Liberal Studies
Awards: 2024 Excellence in Online Teaching Award for Course Design
Religion & Human Rights
Examines the origins, developments, effects, and critiques of four international legal frameworks: freedom of religion, freedom for religion, freedom from religion, and freedom within religion.
Departments: Honors College; Philosophy & Religion
Disciplines: Global Studies, Human Rights Law, Religious Studies, Liberal Studies
Religion & Law
Explores the history of religious liberty across five eras: Colonizing America, Constituting America, Reconstructing America, Incorporating America, and Diversifying America.
Departments: Philosophy & Religion; drawing students from History and Political Science
Disciplines: U.S. Law, American History, Religious Studies, Political Science, Liberal Studies
Awards: 2024 Excellence in Online Teaching Award for Course Design; 2022 Extraordinary Teaching Award
Truth, Justice, & Reconciliation
Explores restorative justice models worldwide that were formed in response to political unrest, racial segregation, war, and genocide.
Departments: Honors College
Disciplines: Global Studies, Religious Studies, Liberal Studies