How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit through the UM Jobs portal (umjobs.org) as one document their CV/resume and a cover letter that addresses the following questions:
- Why do you want to teach with the Global Scholars Program?
- What interests you about working as a GSI for a living learning community course on global social justice issues?
- What academic and life experience do you have with issues of global social justice and intercultural education?
- Describe a) your instructional experience, and b) either your dialogue facilitation or project management experience
Additionally, please send the following documents to Nita Shah at shahnita@umich.edu :
- Your undergraduate academic transcript and course evaluations from any courses taught
- A letter of recommendation from a faculty or staff member who can speak to your relevant experience and qualifications
Summary
GSP is recruiting two (2) GSI’s for ALA 210 Fall 2023 term. The GSI’s will work very closely with GSP’s Director in order to provide high-quality instruction for this course.
Course Description
The Global Scholars Program (GSP) is a living learning community, and students in their first year of the program are required to enroll in ALA 210 Addressing Critical Global Issues (2 credits in Fall term) and ALA 211 Addressing Critical Global Issues (2 credits in the Winter term).
In the Fall term (ALA 210), students study histories, concepts, and case studies pertaining to international human rights, peace and conflict, and nationalism and internationalism. Students attend one weekly lecture session with the instructional team (Lead Instructor + 2 GSIs).
Additionally, students meet once a week in small collaborative groups (CGs) to discuss the lecture and readings, participate in reflective dialogues, and undertake an online, team-based internship with one of our program’s global NGO partners.
The lecture time and CG meetings are meant to be supportive spaces for students to discuss and engage the sometimes emotional and personal dynamics of global disparities through dialogue with the understanding that opinions and values vary but a commitment to understanding one another’s personal and social contexts is key to working and learning effectively together.
Responsibilities*
This is an estimated .50 FTE appointment. GSP GSIs are part of a dynamic instructional team that meets weekly to plan the lecture sessions and implement the course objectives. GSIs share responsibility for grading, managing course platforms (Canvas), and leading active learning strategies. While the two GSIs have some common responsibilities in relation to the weekly lecturer session, each of the GSIs will have specific responsibilities that differentiate them into two roles: A collaborative group curriculum coordinator and a global engagement internship coordinator.
Collaborative Group Curriculum Coordinator GSI: GSP students attend a weekly lecture and a weekly Collaborative Group meeting facilitated by two student leaders (CG Facilitators trained by our program). Coordinating the CG curriculum entails: 1) Helping CG Facilitators plan their weekly agendas as needed, 2) centralizing all correspondence related to CGs, including navigating scheduling and interpersonal challenges, communicating reminders and updates to CG members and leaders, and updating the rest of the GSP staff on related matters, and 3) helping CG Facilitators think through and address concerns and challenges that arise among their CG members.
Global Engagement Internship Coordinator GSI: A major feature of the first-year curriculum is the year-long global engagement internship (GEI), an intensive experiential learning project with a partner organization (domestic or international NGO). The GEI provides students the opportunity to work together in diverse groups, hone their professionalization skills, and engage in an action-oriented intervention. The GSP Director finalizes Partnership Agreements and Internship Proposals prior to the start of the academic year. Coordinating GEIs involves: 1) Contacting and maintaining effective correspondence with the partner organization supervisors, 2) collaborating with the organizations to ensure steady and on-time achievement of goals, including navigation of any emergent needs or challenges on the part of the organization or the CG members, 3) communicating with supervisors about and grading related internship-related assignments, and 4) coaching, checking in weekly with, and supporting CG facilitators to ensure their group members’ successful completion of the GEI.
Note: Interested candidates will apply to the GSI position, not to a specific role. Preferences are invited and skill sets will be assessed during the interview process, and role decisions will be communicated when offers are extended.
Required Qualifications*
Must be admitted as a graduate student when applying and enrolled in good standing at the University of Michigan at the start of the Fall ‘23 semester. Candidates must meet the language proficiency requirements set by the College of LSA. Outstanding ability to effectively teach and evaluate undergraduate students. Knowledge of issues of global social justice and intercultural education. Academic familiarity with social justice education and/or experiential learning. Strong communication and student support skills. Availability for weekly Friday course lectures (1:00-2:30 pm), weekly check-in meetings with CG Facilitators, weekly instructional team meetings, and GSP staff meetings. Some evening and weekend participation in GSP student leadership retreats and GSP program events.
Desired Qualifications*
The Fall and Winter components of this course sequence are highly interconnected. For this reason, we strongly prefer candidates who would be interested/available in serving in this GSI position for both Fall and Winter semesters.
Contact Information
Questions may be sent to Nita Shah at shahnita@umich.edu.
Decision Making Process
Deadline to Submit Application: March 24, 2023
Review of applications will begin immediately and decisions will be made by April 14, 2023
Selection Process
Complete applications must be submitted as outlined in this posting and received by the application deadline to be considered. Selection criteria include merit, teaching experience, and experience working in global social justice education.
GEO Contract Information
The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://oie.umich.edu/ and for the University Ombuds at https://ombuds.umich.edu/
Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.
This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.
Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at https://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.