How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached and uploaded as the first page of your CV/resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
If you have held a GSI position at U-M, as part of your cover letter please provide the course title, number, term and faculty instructor for each course taught.
If you have held a GSI position at U-M please attach the summary sheets of the E&E evaluations for all courses previously taught. This information should be uploaded in a single document combined with your cover letter and resume/CV. If you have trouble including your evals, you may email the evals only to Sarah Torsch at dsi-studentservices@umich.edu.
Course Description
This course will foster a deeper appreciation of digital media and technologies through analyzing popular works, the platforms on which they are distributed, and the technologies used to create them. We will examine the ways in which people express themselves through digital media and what that media has to say about the culture that created and elevated it. We will be engaging with a variety of mediums including audio, video, games, and readings. Lectures and discussion sections are designed to fully integrate the different aspects of the course.
A brief overview of topics covered include: theory crafting/knowledge-making in online fan communities, experimental digital art, game analysis/game studies, movement from the analog to the digital, algorithmic recommendations.
Course Requirements
This course requires regular participation in lectures and discussion sections, as well as the timely completion of short and long-form writing assignments. Students will write a series of short response papers and develop two longer papers in multiple drafts: a rhetorical analysis essay (7-8 pages) and a final research paper (10-12 pages).
Intended Audience
This course is accessible to all undergraduate students at all levels. Students who are interested in learning more about digital media fan/production communities and Internet art are encouraged to take this class, as well as those who are interested in a deeper appreciation of games, internet video, and internet-based music genres such as chiptune and vaporwave.
Class Format
Two 1.5-hour interactive lecture sessions, and one 60-minute discussion section.
Responsibilities*
There is one open GSI position for this course at a .35 appointment
Duties will include, but are not limited to:
- Evaluating and grading coursework
- Holding regular office hours to assist students throughout the course
- Being available over email to the students, and helping students in case they have any questions pertaining to the course
- Attending all lectures (T/Th 10:00 - 11:30 am) and instructor meetings.
- The GSI position will be teaching two discussion sections per week
- Discussion sections are scheduled for the following days/times. Applicants should be available during all of these timeframes. Assignment of your specific two discussion sections will be finalized closer to the start of the term:
- Thursday 1:00 - 2:00 pm
- Thursday 3:00 - 4:00 pm
- Friday 12:00 - 1:00 pm
- Friday 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Required Qualifications*
Applicants with knowledge of digital culture. Currently enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Michigan. To be appointed as a GSI or GSSA, a graduate student must be in good standing in their degree program and for Terms I and II, must be registered for not less than six (6) credit hours. With written approval of the student's faculty advisor, five (5) credit hours may be acceptable. Ability to effectively teach and evaluate undergraduate students.
Desired Qualifications*
Background and knowledge relevant to digital studies. LSA student enrolled in a graduate program.
Contact Information
Sarah Torsch, Training Coordinator, dsi-studentservices@umich.edu
Decision Making Process
This posting will be active for 30 days, however, we will be reviewing applications as they are submitted.
Selection Process
Selection criteria include background and experience explicit to the topic of the course. The decision will be made by the course instructor and Director of Graduate Studies. Applicants may request the status of their application from the department at any time.
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.