Manual for Teaching Assistants
Admission to the PhD program in Religion carries with it a commitment of full financial support for up to six years, subject to the condition that the student is making satisfactory progress toward the doctoral degree. This position carries a fixed stipend (the same for all students) for nine months plus tuition and fees. In fulfillment of the requirements for the MPhil degree, all students must gain teaching experience as part of their graduate training. Thus, all graduate students serve as Teaching Assistants for four years as a form of teaching apprenticeship.
The four-year teaching apprenticeship is an integral part of academic training in the Religion Department. For all PhD students, Teaching Assistantships begin in the second year and continue until four years have been completed. Exceptions to this general rule are those students who win external financial awards, such as the Foreign Language and Studies Fellowship or the Javits Fellowship, which exempt students from teaching responsibilities. However, this does not supersede the GSAS policy that doctoral students must teach a minimum of two semesters before receiving their MPhil. Please also note that students cannot fulfill the two-semester requirement by teaching two courses in the same semester.
Generally, Teaching Assistants are responsible for attending classes and taking notes, doing the readings with the class, and grading exams and papers. The specific responsibilities of Teaching Assistants vary depending on the size of the class, type of class, and expectations of the professor teaching the class. Faculty may also expect Teaching Assistants to perform practical tasks, such as ordering books and photocopying. Faculty cannot ask Teaching Assistants to conduct research for them.
As a rule, students should not work more than 20 hours per week across all assignments. Before accepting any university role outside a TA assignment, such as a rapporteur or research assistant, students should consider the number of hours the TA assignment will require. Students appointed as TAs must prioritize their TA assignments.
Both Teaching Assistants and instructors are encouraged to review the Teaching Roles and Responsibilities document prior to starting each term.
Placements in Religious Studies are becoming increasingly competitive. It is imperative that students complete their PhD with rich teaching experience. The teaching apprenticeship provides students with diverse, first-hand teaching experiences: lectures, individual consultation, guiding class discussions, and grading exams and papers. Learning and participating in new technologies and teaching methods are fundamental to teaching in the academy, and students should be prepared to assist faculty in adopting new materials.
During the four-year apprenticeship, every student will be assigned to courses outside their specialization. Since our graduate programs are designed to produce specialists in selected fields, Teaching Assistant responsibilities provide important opportunities for students to develop insight into the study of religion from a comparative perspective. Having knowledge of traditions, ritual systems, or doctrines outside one's own specialization will be a powerful intellectual tool for students in developing their academic careers.
For those students who seek to develop their teaching skills further, preceptorships in Columbia College's Core Curriculum and teaching an independent course are also possibilities after the apprenticeship is completed. Students may find information about additional teaching opportunities on the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website.
Selection process for TA assignments
Each semester the department works to place every student on assignment in a TA role. The process by which this is done involves a number of factors, including: (a) the ranked preferences of students, as solicited by the DAAF; (b) seniority of students in the program; (c) the potential of a student to TA once for their dissertation sponsor; (d) the subject fit; and (e) the range of courses on offer with TA needs, and other related contingencies. TA positions are normally limited to 1000- and 2000-level courses with enrollment caps of 30 and above.
The assignment of TAs is done by the DGS, the DAAF, and the Chair. Individual arrangements cannot be made between faculty and students.
It can sometimes be difficult to guarantee that every student receives one of their three preferred choices each semester. Indeed, in some semesters, it means placing students outside of the Religion Department altogether (e.g., in MESAAS, History, Philosophy). But in the round, we try to make sure that every student gets one of their preferences as often as possible.
It’s common for students to want to TA in fields of study and on topics close to their own. However, it’s often the case that TA-ing for a course far removed from a student’s expertise turns out to be a rewarding experience. It can also be helpful on the academic job market, to show a versatility, especially for teaching positions at smaller colleges where faculty have to cover lots of areas in a curriculum.
Generally, Teaching Assistants are responsible for attending classes and taking notes, doing the readings with the class, and grading exams and papers. The specific responsibilities of Teaching Assistants vary depending on the size of the class, type of class, and expectations of the professor teaching the class. Faculty may also expect Teaching Assistants to perform practical tasks, such as ordering books and photocopying. Faculty cannot ask Teaching Assistants to conduct research for them.
Both Teaching Assistants and instructors are encouraged to review the Teaching Roles and Responsibilities document prior to starting each term.
Lecture courses may have more than one Teaching Assistant. If so, students will be divided into sections, with each Teaching Assistant being responsible for one or more sections. There will often be meetings between the professor and Teaching Assistants to discuss exams, review sessions, assignments, etc. Teaching Assistants should also expect to hold office hours, meet with students on an individual basis, and lead general review sessions between exams. They are often expected to proctor exams. Instructional Requirement All graduate students serve as Teaching Assistants for four years as a form of teaching apprenticeship. At least one of the four years must be completed before the MPhil can be conferred. Admission to the PhD program in Religion carries with it a commitment of full financial support for up to six years, subject to the condition that the student is making satisfactory progress toward the doctoral degree. This position carries a fixed stipend (the same for all students) for nine months plus tuition and fees. To fulfill the requirements for the MPhil degree, all students must gain teaching experience as part of their graduate training. Thus, all graduate students serve as Teaching Assistants for four years as a form of teaching apprenticeship.The four-year teaching apprenticeship is an integral part of academic training in the Religion Department. For all PhD students, Teaching Assistantships begin in the second year and continue until four years have been completed. Exceptions to this general rule are those students who win external financial awards, such as the Foreign Language and Studies Fellowship or the Javits Fellowship, which exempt students from teaching responsibilities. However, this does not supersede the GSAS policy that doctoral students must teach a minimum of two semesters before receiving their MPhil. Please also note that students cannot fulfill the two-semester requirement by teaching two courses in the same semester. Except during examination weeks and in other extraordinary circumstances, the workload for Teaching Assistants should not exceed 20 hours per week. No teaching is permitted in the first year so that students will be able to concentrate on their studies.