Teaching

Guidelines on Graduate Student Teaching Responsibilities

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 Graduate students who are funded by the department (out of the instructional budget) are appointed as either 1) Graders; 2) Teaching Assistants (TAs); 3) Apprentice Teachers (ATs); or 4) Teaching Fellow.  Regardless of the assigned work, graduate students should not be expected to devote more than an average of fifteen hours weekly to their duties (course readings not included) over a sixteen-week term. Because actual practice in the designation of duties will vary according to the needs of each course, it is imperative that this hourly guideline be observed.

Graders are assigned no more than 90 students.  Graders are expected to attend lectures, do assigned course readings, hold office hours, and grade course work. Two one hour exams, two short papers, and a final exam are considered a typical and reasonable work load.  Graders do not lead discussion sessions. 

Teaching Assistants have responsibility for no more than 55 students.  TAs are expected to attend lectures, do assigned course readings, hold office hours, lead discussion sections (as often as weekly), and grade course work for assigned students. More information about TA work requirements may be found here.

Apprentice Teachers are entering students who work an average of no more than 9 hours a week (excluding time spent on reading course materials). Apprentice Teachers do not lead discussion sections or otherwise take personal responsibility for the instruction of students. They may observe others teaching, participate in course planning, do a modest amount of grading, and undertake minor duties associated with the course or other aspects of teaching. More information about AT work requirements may be found here.

Graduate Students will not spend any of their own money on course materials. 

Instructor's will discuss with the graders, TAs, and ATs all elements of the course (including the amount of grading, the number and character of quizzes, exams, and papers, lecturing, provisions for office hours and review sessions). The course requirements and schedule should anticipate and accommodate the T.A’s own schedule as a graduate student. Finally, the Instructor is responsible for supplying each TA copies of all assigned materials, including books.  The Instructor will also attend a discussion section early in the semester to observe the Teaching Assistant’s work in the classroom.  The instructor will provide an observation of the T.A’s strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. 

When Teaching Assistants believe that they are being asked to perform duties that are beyond those outlined above and cannot find a resolution with the instructors, they should consult the Director of Graduate Studies.

Teaching Fellow (Fixed Term Faculty)

Advanced graduate students (e.g., ABD students in their final year) may be appointed as a “Teaching Fellow”.   A fixed-term faculty position does not count towards your ten semesters of assistantship. There is no relationship between TA stipends and stipends for fixed-term faculty.  Currently, an ABD student working in this capacity will be paid $6000 per course. 

Preference for these positions will be given to students who have taken History 602  (Introduction to Historical Education) or who already have significant teaching experience (i.e. taught High school).

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