How to Apply
This is a limited availability position.
Candidates must apply through the UM job portal. A cover letter and CV in one PDF must accompany this application. All inquiries may be made to Lisa Broome ([email protected]) Associate Director, LSA Honors.
Course Description
The LSA Honors Program invites applications to teach Honors Core 230: Eating Right: Why Humans Love & Hate Dietary Advice, beginning January 1, 2026. Position is pending enrollment demand.
Why do we trust some dietary advice and reject other guidance? Why does a Mediterranean diet sound healthier than an American one? And why is your TikTok feed suddenly full of people insisting you need to eat liver, drink raw milk, or go carnivore? Confused about people wanting beef tallow instead of seed oils? Then this is the course for you. "Eating Right" explores how humans have thought about food, health, and "eating right" across cultures and centuries. We'll examine ancient dietary wisdom, colonial-era nutrition science, mid-century food fads, and today's Instagram wellness influencers. Through energetic engagement with readings both ancient and modern (some quite wacky), students will trace how dietary advice reflects the anxieties and power struggles of its moment. Students will participate in collaborative fact-finding activities and small group discussions to untangle why certain foods get demonized while others achieve superfood status. We'll also get hands-on: uncovering rare recipes in the Clement Library cookbook collection, tasting historical foods, preparing dishes from traditions under consideration, and experimenting with the plant-based alternatives that nutritional activists prescribe. For the final project, students will research a food-related question of their choosing, learning to present convoluted and conflicting information in a rigorous and engaging manner. By the end of the course, you'll gain a sharper understanding of contemporary food debates, develop a healthy ounce of skepticism about dietary proclamations, and understand why humans have always loved-and hated-being told what to eat.
Responsibilities*
Effort for two sections is 35%. GSIs will teach two discussion sections that meet once weekly. A third discussion section, held on Friday, may be added if there is enough demand. The GSI candidate should be available to teach three discussion sections if this occurs. The effort for three sections is 50%.
The GSI hired for this position will oversee student teamwork during their discussion section of the larger faculty-led lecture course and will work closely with the faculty member to achieve the teaching and learning outcomes of the course. The GSI is expected to attend all lectures and lead all of the assigned discussion sections; participate in experiential activities and grading; attend and be prepared for weekly planning meetings. The GSI should have good communication skills, an excellent command of English composition and style, experience in research skills, and be comfortable with or have experience working in public-facing modalities (video, blog).
Required Qualifications*
Good standing in an LSA Ph.D. program in a relevant department.
Desired Qualifications*
Candidacy in an LSA Ph.D. program in a relevant department; experience teaching at UM or other college or university.
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
All inquiries may be made to Lisa Broome ([email protected]) Associate Director, LSA Honors.
Decision Making Process
Review of applications will begin immediately. A decision will be made in early December.
Selection Process
Selected applicants will be invited to interview. When a decision is made in early December, an offer letter will be authorized.
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 Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.