Instructional Assistant, Philosophy

Department

AHD Staff: Philosophy

About the Department

Philosophy is equally concerned with both the true and the good, with what thought is and what it is to think well, as well as with what human life is and how one goes about living well. This means that philosophy has both a theoretical aspect and a practical one. Its theoretical dimension comes most to the fore in the contemporary philosophical landscape in the areas of epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language, and philosophy of science; its practical aspect in areas such as ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of law. A third set of questions that elude the practical/theoretical divide concern aesthetic or religious topics. At the University of Chicago, the courses offered by the Department of Philosophy explore this wide variety of questions by drawing on the methodologies of both the analytic and the continental traditions, and by critically examining the ideas developed in the texts that constitute the history of Western philosophy.

The goal of the Undergraduate Program in Philosophy is to equip our students with the skills and knowledge needed to inquire into these fundamental philosophical questions in a systematic and serious way. We aim to help our students to become better readers of philosophical texts, better at understanding the underlying structure of philosophical arguments, and better at writing clear, forceful philosophical prose. To this end, the major requires students to take courses in logic, the history of philosophy, and both practical and theoretical contemporary philosophy; it also gives the students the option of writing a BA thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The philosophy minor allows students whose primary interest is in some other discipline to supplement their major course of study with a (less intensive) pursuit of philosophy, and the allied fields major affords students the opportunity to integrate philosophy with one of a number of adjacent disciplines, such as economics, linguistics, or physics.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, the Instructional Assistant assists faculty, other teaching personnel, and program administrators in their work delivering undergraduate education in the undergraduate program of the Department of Philosophy. The Instructional Assistant has experience completing research and academic work in philosophy or its allied disciplines and is equipped to support undergraduate instruction in capacities that range from substantive, pedagogical, methodological, technological, to administrative. The Instructional Assistant’s role comprises a set of responsibilities designed to address the Philosophy department’s curricular needs and may differ each quarter. Duties include supporting instruction in specific for-credit PHIL courses or course sequences, advising and mentoring undergraduates conducting independent research, grading assignments and exams, and supporting instructors’ use of academic technologies and preparation of course materials.

This position provides instructional support to teachers in one or more subjects while expanding individual knowledge and acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills. Assists the teachers by providing individual instruction, counseling, and other academic services with a moderate level of guidance and direction. Assesses and documents student progress. Prepares lesson plans, course outlines and assignments.

This position is for a limited, two-year term. The annual work period is 9.5 months, from September 1 through June 15, and the salary is paid over 12 months, from September through August.

Responsibilities

• Assists the instructors of record in the delivery of the PHIL 20100 course, both Autumn and Spring Quarters, and other to-be-designated, high-enrollment courses in Winter Quarters by conducting discussion sections for each course. As directed by the instructor of record, contributes to teaching resources and student materials.
• Attends all regularly-scheduled class sessions and reads all assigned materials.
• Runs weekly review and discussion sections as an accompaniment to the scheduled class sessions.
• Meets with students in regularly scheduled office hours.
• Reads and comments on papers, exams, and other assignments; and recommends grades for individual assignments.
• Coordinates discussion sections, sets up equipment, and manages reserve readings and other course-related logistics.
• Manages the course’s academic technologies and coordinates technological support for the instructor and students.
• Meets regularly with the instructor of record to discuss general issues related to course administration.  
• Meets in the Autumn and Winter Quarters with a cohort of 7-9 students weekly for an hour each week. During these meetings, students will take turns presenting and critiquing one another’s research. The BA preceptor is responsible for keeping the conversations on track, making sure everyone contributes, and making sure students get their work to the group on time, in advance of the meetings.
• Conducts individual meetings with students through the Fall and Winter Quarters to provide feedback on students work in progress.
• Reads and comments on at least one full draft of the BA thesis in the Spring Quarter.
• Serves as second reader on BA theses as needed.
• Assists teachers with all aspects of the academic program. Instructs and provides counseling to students as well as giving them feedback.
• Work with small groups of students to help them improve in the subject area and hold office hours to speak individually with students.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in philosophy or related field.
• PhD in philosophy or related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of two years experience as a teaching assistant or instructor in philosophy.
• Conducting research in philosophy.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Mac and PC environments.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and online organizational tools.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills including excellent editing/proofreading ability in English.
• Handle multiple concurrent projects in a competent and professional manner while also managing details and meeting deadlines.
• Work effectively with supervision and as a part of a team, individually, or in concert with other offices and campus partners.
• Work autonomously, taking initiative and without detailed instructions.
• Maintain confidentiality/discretion at all times.
• Handle stressful situations.
• Teach introduction to formal logic.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Decision making skills.
• Reasoning skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Creativity.

Working Conditions

• 9.5-month position paid over 12 months.
• Office environment.
• Some evening and weekend work.
• Fast-paced environment.
• Lift up to 40 lbs.
• Push carts with up to 50 lbs. of material.
• Sit at a computer for 4-6 hours.
• Periodic walking to other campus locations.
• Climbing up to 5 flights of stairs.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, which is to include your interest in this position (required)
• References Contact Information (required)(3)

Job Family

Academic Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

35

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$45,000.00 - $62,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

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