The TA Experience in the English & Textual Studies Curriculum

Teaching Assistants in Masters' Programs in English largely teach in Syracuse University's Writing Program, while PhD students' assistantships are within the English Department's ETS Curriculum.  As a Teaching Assistant in the English Department at Syracuse, you have the opportunity to serve in a variety of ways under an experienced University Professor who can guide you, both pedagogically and professionally.  However, after your tenure as a Teaching Assistant, you will make the transition to Teaching Associate, leading your own section of a 100-level course in the ETS curriculum, supervised by a Faculty Teaching Mentor as well as the department's FPP assembly.  Entry-level ETS courses are capped at 25 students, and are open to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

The TA Archive

In an effort to aid in this transition from "Teaching Assistant" to "Teaching Associate," which includes a very real shift in responsibilities and labor that teaching one's own course demands, this archive is meant to help students prepare for the experience of teaching in the English and Textual Studies Curriculum at SU.   This archive serves as a central resource for teaching, professionalization, and research materials for graduate students in English at Syracuse University.  It is designed to provide practical advice, a clear delineation of regulations and policy, and sundry sample materials in an easily-accessible manner for the topics most relevant to TA's.  Within each section, you will find materials that will help you prepare for your experience as a TA both in the planning stages, and during the day-to-day grind of your teaching. 

The archive is comprised of three major sections--Teaching, Professionalization, and Research.  Each section is further divided into subdivisions, with both general information, and items specific to your precise teaching assignment.  The menu to your left will allow for easy navigation through these materials.

When a Website Isn't Enough

Life as a graduate student is complex, difficult, and sometimes frustrating.  There are plenty of situations in which a "quick tip" will simply not suffice.  With that in mind, this guide also includes policy guidelines as well as contact information for those individuals in our graduate community that can assist you when a website is not enough. 

Please also be aware that the Handbook for Graduate Student Employees provided by the Graduate School is also available for university policies governing appointments, information on TA responsibilities and protections, as well as requirements for completion of your degree.

As a FPP Teaching Associate, you will name a Teaching Mentor who can serve as a valuable resource for questions, advice, and modeling for your own pedagogy.  There is also a graduate student organization, called the English Graduate Organization (EGO). EGO meets regularly to discuss and act upon graduate student interests, concerns, and recommendations to the department that can generate changes in the department.

A Few Notes

This archive has been designed, generated and maintained by our graduate students, with the support of the English Department, the Future Professoriate Project, and the Graduate School.