The Graduate Program

Teaching Assignments in English

Fall 2008

Each semester, graduate students mail request to teach a variety of courses offered by the English Department. Several non-teaching positions may also be available, as well. Every effort will be made to make assignments based upon the guidelines provided here, but other factors (such as total course availability and the instructor’s availability to teach at particular times) also influence final assignments.

Composition Staff

Members of the composition staff each work closely with a small group of English 1000 instructors, reviewing course materials, observing classes, and participating in bi-weekly composition staff meetings. This appointment is equivalent to and in lieu of teaching a class (1/4 appointment). To apply, submit by March 12 to the Director of Composition a cv, two sample syllabi, and a one page letter of application explaining why you would like to join comp staff for AY 2008-2009.

Film (English 1810 and 1820)

Each semester the department offers three or four sections of English 1810 (Introduction to Film, beginnings to 1945, offered in the fall) or English 1820 (Introduction to Film, 1945 to the present, offered in the spring). These courses survey key developments in American cinema--as an institution and as an art form--as it has developed in dialogue with other national cinemas. The course emphasis is on film history rather than form, but students are also introduced to elements of visual analysis including lighting, camera angles and shots, editing, mise-en-scène, sound, dialogue, and narrative structure.

Instructors coordinate a common screening on Monday evenings and teach independent sections of 30 students, using film clips, weekly handouts and a film history textbook. There is an extensive archive of lecture and discussion notes and clip DVDs for many of the film titles frequently listed on the course syllabi. Course instructors will need to meet well in advance of the start of classes to post a course description online, select the course textbook, and determine the films to be screened.

We encourage applications from graduate students from all areas of the department. The primary criteria for selection are 1) graduate coursework in film and 2) teaching experience (especially experience teaching film). Preferred qualifications include having taken English 8110 (Introduction to Film Research and Pedagogy). To apply, please submit (along with colored form) to Tamara Noel by March 12 a brief letter describing your interest in and qualifications for teaching film. For more information, contact Nancy West or Joanna Hearne.

Folklore (1700 and 2700)

One folklore course is available each semester to a graduate student, with priority given to students in the folklore concentration. Selection of instructor is made by faculty in folklore. The selection for fall 2008 has already been made. For more information about folklore opportunities in future semesters, contact Elaine Lawless.

Literature--English 1210 and 1310

1210 is “Introduction to British Literature” and 1310 is “Introduction to American Literature.” Request the courses separately. These are the usual course assignments for teachers new to teaching literature. We typically offer between 8-10 sections of each course each semester, with 30 students in each class. Scheduling priority is given to the following:

• PhD students in 3rd year and beyond only if they have not taught 1210 or 1310 previously
• PhD students in 2nd year, whether teaching for the first or subsequent time (most assignments come from this category, so second-year students are encouraged to request these courses)
• PhD students in 1st year/second semester who are also teaching English 1000
• Full-time teaching faculty who are also teaching three sections of English 1000

All book orders for English 1210 and 1310 will be reviewed by the literature coordinator. In addition, all instructors are required to submit a syllabus to the literature coordinator by June 2, 2008.

Literature—English 2100 Writing About Literature

This course provides instruction in the fundamentals of writing about literature. Designed with the needs of declared or prospective English majors and minors in mind, it emphasizes literary research, interpretation, and criticism. The course covers three or more literary genres (fiction, poetry, drama, and/or non-fiction). Students should have previously taken ENGL 1000 or equivalent and have sophomore standing. Each section’s enrollment will be capped at 25.

Please review instructor guidelines.

Assignment of 2100 sections are made on the basis of seniority and the quality of previous experiences teaching literature, particularly 1210 or 1310. While graduate students will generally teach most sections of 2100, non-tenure track faculty may be assigned this class as needed and should therefore consider requesting it. We typically offer 4-6 sections of 2100 each semester.

All book orders for English 2100 will be reviewed by the literature coordinator. In addition, all instructors are required to submit a syllabus to the literature coordinator by June 2, 2008.

Literature—2159: Introduction to World Literatures

The department typically offers two or more sections of 2159 each semester. Enrollment is capped at 30. Graduate students and NTT faculty may request this course.

Literature: 2000-Level Topics Courses

Each semester we typically offer two 2000-level topics courses to be taught by advanced graduate students. The assignments of 2000-level topics courses have already been made for Fall 2008. Graduate student instructors are identified following an open call by the Director of Graduate Studies, with priorities given to advanced graduate students who have previous successful experience teaching literature. Priority is given to graduate students studying literature, but students from other areas are also considered. The topic and course design must be approved prior to early registration.

Teaching Assistants in Large Enrollment Classes

Individual faculty members occasionally select graduate students to serve as teaching assistants in large-enrollment courses.

Writing Lab Assistants

Two graduate students are selected to assist in the Writing Lab. These students work ten hours a week (equivalent to and in lieu of teaching a class; ¼ appointment) and are responsible for helping to train the first-year MA students, observing tutorials, evaluating online tutorials, and conducting special projects that are selected based on both individual interest and the needs of the program. To apply, submit a one-page letter (along with colored sheet submitted to Tamara Noel) by March 12, explaining interest in this position. Preference given to students with tutorial experience and/or experience teaching English 1000. This appointment is equivalent to and in lieu of teaching a class (1/4 appointment). These positions are coordinated by Rachel Harper, Director of the Writing Lab.

Other non-teaching assignments

In addition to the above teaching assignments, graduate students are also eligible for some non-teaching positions, including the Assistant to the Director of Graduate Studies and the Technology Intern. Any such openings will be announced on the appropriate departmental listservs.