Zachary Satoshi Feldcamp

Teaching

Teaching Philosophy

I aim to make formal linguistics accessible without sacrificing rigor. My goal is for students to understand not only how a formal analysis works, but also why it is worth pursuing. Rather than treating formalism as an end in itself, I emphasize how precise analyses can reveal unexpected patterns in natural language and help answer broader questions about the human language faculty.

I encourage students to engage directly with linguistic data, formulate and test hypotheses, and develop confidence in constructing precise arguments and evaluating competing analyses. In the classroom, I strive to create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, exploring alternative analyses, and refining their ideas through discussion. Whether teaching introductory courses or advanced syntax, I hope to equip students with both the technical tools and the intellectual curiosity needed to investigate language scientifically.


Teaching Experience

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

24.902 Language and Its Structure II: Syntax

Teaching Assistant · Spring 2026

24.902 Language and Its Structure II: Syntax

Teaching Assistant · Fall 2024

24.952 Advanced Syntax

Teaching Assistant · Spring 2024

24.900 Introduction to Linguistics

Teaching Assistant · Fall 2023

University of Toronto

LIN200 Introduction to Language

Teaching Assistant · Fall 2021

University of Arizona

CLAS 160B1 Meet the Ancients

Teaching Assistant · Fall 2020

Latin 202 Intermediate Latin II

Instructor of Record (Teaching Assistant Appointment) · Spring 2020

CLAS 160B1 Meet the Ancients

Teaching Assistant · Spring 2020

Latin 101 Introductory Latin I

Instructor of Record (Teaching Assistant Appointment) · Fall 2019

Courses Prepared to Teach

I view teaching and research as complementary pursuits: both involve identifying patterns, developing clear explanations, and fostering curiosity about the remarkable complexity of human language.