How to Apply
Applicants must apply and submit material through https://careers.umich.edu/. Please, include the following in a single PDF document:
1) A cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the course(s) and the hours of availability for discussion sections as listed here.
2) A resume or curriculum vita
3) Unofficial graduate and undergraduate transcripts of relevant course work
4) Previous UM teaching evaluations or teaching history, as applicable
Job Summary
The Linguistics Department is looking to hire up to 2 GSIs in the Winter 2025 term to lead discussion sections of the following class:
LING 111: Lenses into Language: Mind, Society, Justice, 3 section (anticipated enrollment: 75 students)
Course Description
How does language matter to you? What does your language allow you to do, and what does it prevent you from doing? This course will introduce the surprising structure behind language, a facet of our lives we usually take for granted. We will discover how hidden mental rules manipulate the building blocks of language from the smallest gesture or sound to the most complex conversation. And we will illuminate how our language connects us to society at large, from the careers we choose, to the communities we create, to the way we are perceived in daily life. Our studies will be shaped by viewing language through three critical lenses:
The Mind Creates Language
Linguistics is a cognitive science, studying how the brain produces and understands language. Linguists employ standard scientific methods to analyze the rules and structures underlying this unique human ability.
Language Shapes Society
Language is present in every aspect of life. Among its many purposes, it is a social tool, with the power to comfort, deceive, demean, persuade, and uplift. The language we use everyday has the power to establish or reflect connections with others and act as a component of our identity.
All Language is Good Language
Everyone signs or speaks a complete, expressive, and complex language. Throughout our schooling and our social lives, we are often taught that some language is good or correct and the rest is not. From a linguistic perspective, though, the many varieties of both signed and spoken language found in the world - not to mention this classroom - are equally valid.
Responsibilities*
- Attend all lectures and scheduled discussion days for the course. Verify your own course schedule against the schedule for the course to which you are applying as a GSI. All GSIs are required to attend the lecture and assigned discussion sections. Note that both lecture and most discussion sections are scheduled as in-person instruction.
- Hold at least 2 office hours each week.
- Make discussion section plans and lead the sections as instructor.
- Grade assignments, per lead faculty instruction.
- Meet weekly with the teaching team and respond promptly to emails.
- Additional items listed in fraction calculation form
Required Qualifications*
- Enrolled in good standing as a graduate student at the University of Michigan
- Available to teach the needed Thursday afternoon and Friday section times
- Have previously taken courses in linguistics.
- Experience with Canvas
- If the language of instruction at a students undergraduate institution was not English, the student must be evaluated by the English Language Institute (ELI) for English proficiency and either pass the GSI-OET or have this test waived by the ELI before they can be eligible for a GSI appointment in LS&A.
Desired Qualifications*
- Previous experience as a GSI is desired
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Contact Information
- For questions about how to apply for the position, please contact [email protected]
Decision Making Process
The Linguistics Department Graduate team will make decisions about teaching assignments with the approval of the course instructor.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed, and decisions made, based on each applicants knowledge, experience, and past teaching record. Preferential consideration will be given to applicants with relevant academic preparation for teaching the course material.
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.