Teaching Assistantships

ENG 803: Literature Teaching Assistant Practicum

Course Description

The TA Practicum provides opportunities for students to gain pedagogical experience by assisting with the teaching of a large lecture course. Students also learn pedagogical skills through professor-led workshops, observation of professors in class, and supervised practice of a variety of pedagogical tasks.

Under the direct guidance of a professor, students have the opportunity to learn about and/or gain experience in:

  • Leading breakout discussion sessions
  • Leading class discussions
  • Giving class lectures
  • Assessing undergraduate writing and student progress by practicing evaluating quizzes, papers, and/or exams*
  • Advising undergraduates by holding office hours with undergraduates outside of class

Students meet with the class instructor outside the class on an ongoing basis throughout the semester to discuss pedagogical issues and course logistics.

* TAs may make grade suggestions; however, the instructor of record is responsible for all final grades.

Pedagogy Workshops

In addition to working closely with a professor as a TA, students participate in a series of Friday pedagogy workshops designed to introduce them to a variety of pedagogical issues and give them hands-on teaching experience. These Friday workshops typically includes sessions on:

  • Designing a Lesson Plan I: Lectures
  • Designing a Lesson Plan II: Leading a Discussion
  • Assessing and Grading Student Writing
  • Teaching with Technology
  • Planning a Course and Writing a Syllabus
  • Best Practices

Eligibility

To be eligible, a student must have completed at least 9 units of coursework towards the M.A., and must formally apply for this Practicum on a semester-by- semester basis. Only students who have been accepted to ENG 803 may enroll.

Course Requirements

The requirements of ENG 803 include:

  • Meeting with the class instructor at least once prior to the beginning of the semester to discuss the course syllabus and specific expectations.
  • Meeting with the class instructor outside the class on an ongoing basis throughout the semester to discuss pedagogical issues and course logistics. The schedule should be determined during the first meeting.
  • Completing all assigned undergraduate course readings and attending of all classes.
  • Assisting with class records and contributing to the preparation of course materials. The specific details of these duties should be determined during the first meeting with the instructor.
  • Practice commenting on and evaluating quizzes, papers, and/or exams. Students may make grade suggestions; however, the instructor of record is responsible for all final grades.
  • Leading breakout discussion sessions; one or more class discussions; and/or one class lecture. As this is considered a major component of the Practicum, each student will be given appropriate guidance and feedback from the instructor.
  • Holding office hours.
  • Participating fully in weekly pedagogy workshops associated with ENG 803 (specific requirements of the workshops to be determined by workshop leaders].
  • Completing all assignments associated with pedagogy workshops.
  • Completing a final reflection paper on TA experience.
  • Completing a "dream" syllabus OR a teaching philosophy

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based upon their satisfactory completion of the above requirements. 80% of the final grade will be determined by the student's performance as a TA in the individual class to which he or she is assigned; 20% will be determined by the student's fulfillment of the expectations of the Friday pedagogy workshops.