Areas of Expertise

African American Philosophy, Logic and Critical Thinking, Applied Ethics, Political Philosophy, Philosophy in Literature 

Teaching Interests

Ariel Tabak’s mission is to reach students where they are and take them on a journey of self-discovery through hands-on learning. In their comparative religion classes, they led trips to local houses of worship and invited practitioners of different faiths to campus as guest speakers, encouraging experiential learning and interfaith dialogue. In their humanities and philosophy classes, they have started researching how utilizing emojis in the identification of logical fallacies can lead to more inclusive and engaged learning for students. 

Research Interests

Their research explores questions of ethics and epistemology in African American philosophy, with a focus on how frameworks of knowledge, justice, and lived experience shape moral reasoning. More broadly, their interests include the alignment of truth, logic, and rationality in ethical decision-making and the ways these commitments inform philosophical inquiry and practice. They also work in political philosophy and human rights, with particular attention to the rights of the child.  

Representative Presentations

“Visual Logic: Teaching Fallacies and Critical Thinking through Emojis.” JALT Critical Thinking in the Classroom 2025 Conference, Osaka, Japan (2025). 

“African American Philosophers, Their Lives and Ideas.” Black History Month Celebration, Prairie State Community College, Chicago Heights, IL, USA (2017). 

“Virtue in Aristotle: An Interactive Workshop.” Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL, USA (2017) 

“What Makes A Good Song? The Philosophy of Music: Part 2.” Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL, USA (2016). 

“Why Do We Like Music? The Philosophy of Music: Part 1.” Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL, USA (2016). 

“What Do We Do When the Law Is Unjust?” Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL, USA (2016).          

“Radical Non-Violence in Jainism.” Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL, USA (2016). 

“Theistic and Non-theistic Religions: Do Religions Need A God?” Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL, USA (2015). 

“Sacred Images: Iconic and Aniconic Religions.” Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL, USA (2015). 

Education

MA in Humanities (Concentration in Classics), University of Chicago (2013) 
Thesis: “Medea on the Rache: Shame and Decision Procedure in Euripides’ Medea”                  

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Classical Languages, University of Iowa (2011) 

BA in Classical Studies and Philosophy, Cornell College (2010) 
Thesis: “Achilles: the Concept of ἐλεάω in Homer’s Iliad” 

Previous Academic Appointments

Adjunct Instructor of Philosophy and Religion, Governors State University (2019) 

Adjunct Instructor of Philosophy and Humanities, Prairie State College (2013 — 2018) 

Adjunct Instructor of Humanities and English, Calumet College of St. Joseph (2013)