Summer 2012 Teaching Positions in First-Year Writing for Graduate Students

There are a limited number of positions for graduate students with prior experience teaching in WRAC’s First-Year Writing Program.

View the position descriptions: US 2012 Grad Position Descriptions (.pdf).

Download the application: US-2012-Grad-Position-Application (.doc).  Applications are due no later than February 13, 2012.

 

First-Year, Developmental, and ELL Writing

Contingent on funding, the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures will have up to five possible openings for the following position:

Full-time assistant professor; initial appointment for one year; subsequent appointment contingent on positive annual review, funding, and staffing needs. Appointment starts August 16, 2011. PhD in an area of composition or writing studies, and demonstrated commitment to first-year writing. We particularly seek candidates with prior teaching experience or background in developmental writing and in college composition for multilingual language learners, including TESOL.

The First-Year Writing Program includes both a developmental writing course and a group of thematically-focused 4-credit courses that satisfy the first-year general education writing requirement. Three emphases inform the program: cultural literacy practices, multimodal literacies, and writing as rhetorically and culturally situated. The department has adopted shared learning outcomes for writing, reading, and research (http://www.wrac.msu.edu/academic-programs/first-year-writing/).

Current course load: three per semester. Ongoing professional development and contribution to program initiatives expected; participation in professional conferences relevant to the appointment preferred. We will begin reviewing applications immediately. MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Interested applicants should write to Dr. Kathleen Geissler, at wracmail [at] msu [dot] edu. Please include a statement of interest describing qualifications and experience and a c.v.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Professional Writing

Each year, the PW program is usually able to offer appointments to qualified applicants to teach in the Professional Writing Program. Sections of WRA 202 and WRA 210 may be available for TAs who—by virtue of their prior work experience, research projects, or future career plans—are qualified and interested in teaching in the program.

Graduate TAs who are appointed to teach courses in the PW program are assigned a faculty of record, and are expected to work with the Director of Professional Writing (and/or faculty teaching the course) to meet the course and program goals.

Required qualifications:
• Enrolled in good standing in the Rhetoric & Writing graduate program.
• Experienced teaching in the First-Year Writing Program.
• Familiar with the MSU’s Professional Writing Program students, curriculum, and goals.
• Experienced teaching in computer-mediated spaces.
• Able to respond to student writing productively and appropriately.
• Completion of core course requirements in the Rhetoric & Writing program.
• For assignment to teach WRA 210, knowledge of and experience with XTML, CSS, Adobe Dreamweaver, accessibility practices, and usability requirements; experience with and evidence of client-based web projects; and ability to update and maintain the course modules.

Desired qualifications:
• Experienced as a technical and professional writer (as instructor or practitioner, or equivalent).
• Research profile in an area relevant to course content.

How to apply: Applications are for the next academic year are due no later than February 1 to the Director, PW Program, 235 Bessey Hall. Please submit a c.v. and a letter of interest.