The English Department considers teaching to be an essential element of graduate students' professional development. The department offers teaching assistants a variety of opportunities to work with diverse student populations. For more information about English teaching assistantships, please consult the department's Graduate Handbook.
Following are answers to some of the questions you might have when preparing to teach for the first time at Case.
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When do I teach?
Please consult the Scheduling page for the latest teaching assignments (available as PDF files). Look for your name under "Writing Faculty" in the right-hand column.
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How/why was I assigned to teach this class?
For English department TAs
If you are a Ph.D. student with prior teaching experience, you will most likely be assigned to teach a course your first semester at Case. If you are an M.A. student or a Ph.D. student without prior teaching experience, you will not begin classroom teaching until your second semester. During your first semester, you will most likely be preparing to teach by working with undergraduate writers at the Writing Center and by completing ENGL 400, Teaching Composition. Second-year MA students and PhD students in coursework teach three courses per year. This means that if you teach one course in the Fall semester you can expect to teach two in the Spring (or vice-verse). TAs may be assigned to two courses their first semester based on their anticipated class schedule for the year.
Course scheduling begins in the previous semester. The Director of Composition assigns courses in consultation with the department chair and the Director of Graduate Studies in English. PhD students with teaching experience are usually assigned one section of ENG 150, where they are the instructor of record, or one section of a Sages First Seminar, where they are the writing co-instructor. PhD students with ESL teaching experience may be assigned to ENG 148. Please see the English Courses page for a description of the various teaching opportunities.
For SAGES TAs
Your assignment is based on your preferences (as stated on the scheduling form, to be completed each semester) and on the needs of the SAGES program. For more information about the course assignments, see the Apply to Teach page, which describes the expectations for each "teaching unit" and the Sages Courses page for a decription of the First and University seminars.
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What do I do if there's a conflict between my teaching and course schedules?
If you have been assigned to teach at the same time you plan to take a class, please contact the Director or Assistant to the Director of Composition immediately. Your coursework is a priority; every effort will be made to accommodate your class schedule. However, please keep in mind that the demands of scheduling a large group of people may require some flexibility from all. You will not be expected to teach instead of taking a course; however, you may be asked to teach on days and times that are not your ideal.
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How do I know where my class meets?
Before orientation, the Director or Assistant to the Director of Composition will notify you of your teaching assignment. For information about course location or enrollment consult the schedule of classes, available online through the Registrar's site. Locate your course using the CRN number. Clicking on the location listed at the right will take you to an online map of the campus. You can also access the map here.
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How can I get a copy of my course roster?
A paper copy of your course roster will be placed in your mailbox before your first class. You can get additional copies of your roster either through Blackboard, or through MyCase. You will need to have a Case ID and password to access both sites. See below for information about Blackboard. MyCase is available from the Case home page. From the homepage, click MyCase Login. When MyCase opens, click on the “Students” tab. If you are the instructor of record, you will see a link to your course roster.
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How much time can I expect to spend on my teaching?
We expect that one course will take approximately 15 hours per week of time - including office hours, class meeting times, and preparation time. If you are spending drastically more or less time on your teaching, please come talk to the Director of Composition about your workload.
If you have been assigned to the Writing Center, your time commitment will be 10 hours per week of "seat time" (i.e., time spent in the Writing Center itself), with the assmuption of an additional 5 hours of preparation time (reading/responding to student papers, etc.).
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What is an "Instructor of Record"?
The Dean of Undergraduate Studies approves TAs each semester as "instructor of record" based on completion of University 400 and demonstration of teaching experience. You cannot be listed as the instructor of record until you have completed University 400. This means that you will not be listed as the instructor of record for your course if you teach during your first semester on campus. We strongly urge you to complete University 400 during your first semester. In addition, you must submit a one-page CV to the Chair of the Department before the semester starts. Your CV will be forwarded to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
If you are not listed as an Instructor of Record for your class, you will not have access to Blackboard (online class management software), and you will be required to have the Director of Composition counter-sign your grade reports.
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Why am I not listed as "Instructor of Record" on my course roster?
We cannot always anticipate what the demand will be for composition courses. Therefore the schedule is subject to change even up to the start of the semester. That is why the Director of Composition is listed as the instructor of record in all composition courses until after the add/drop period. After that, those who qualify are name instructor of record for their courses.
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What is SAGES?
SAGES stants for the Seminar Approach to General Education and Scholarship, and it is the general education requirement for all incoming students, beginning in Fall 2005. For more information, please see the SAGES website.
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What is the difference between a First and University Seminar?
The First Seminar is normally taken in a student's first year at Case. Subsequent University Seminars reinforce the academic skills introduced in the First Seminar. For more information, please see the SAGES Courses page.
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When/How should I contact my faculty Co-Instructor?
Once the initial schedule has been completed, the Director of Composition will forward it to the SAGES office. They will help put you in touch with your faculty co-instructor. You may also want to email him/her on your own. You should work with your faculty co-instructor to establish how the seminar will be run. Consider the following questions:
- > How will students address you (Mr.? Ms.? Prof.?)
- > How will you negotiate grading? (Will both of you grade everything? Will you split the papers and discuss them together?)
- > When/how will writing instruction happen? (Will you meet with students outside of class? How often? Will there be whole class periods devoted to writing? Or, will you break up writing instruction into small chunks in each class session?)
- > What is your role in leading/guiding/participating in discussions?
- > What can you bring to the seminar that is unique and valuable? (Do you have special knowledge in the subject? Or, are you a thoughtful skeptic who can ask the questions students may be afraid to ask?)
A SAGES ad hoc committee met during AY 2005-2006 to discuss the communication and collaboration between faculty seminar leaders and writing instructors. This document summarizes their recommendations.
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Who supports my work (in terms of office space, materials [copying, pens, etc.])?
Your home department is responsible for providing office space, copying, and other necessary supplies. Check with your department adminstrator for details. Be sure to tell your students where they can find you during your scheduled office hours.
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How do I know what textbook to use for ENGL 148?
Please consult with the Director of Composition if you have questions about textbooks for ENGL 148.
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How do I know what textbook to use for ENGL 150?
There is no required text for ENG 150. Instructors may adopt any textbook (or selection of readings) that suits their pedagogical goals. A list of textbooks and their "scholarly tradition" is available here. The Director of Composition would be happy to discuss possibilities with you. There are also desk copies of a broad selection of handbooks and readers available for you to review at the Writing Center (104 Bellflower Hall). In lieu of or in addition to a reader, you might choose a selection of readings.
For English department TAs: If you’d like to copy a reading for your students, you have a budget of 2500 copies on the department’s copy machine (located in 211 Bellflower). See Frederica Ward to have your copy account activated. This is your budget for the semester. Once you’ve reached the limit, you will have to purchase additional copies from the department.
If you plan to use a large number of readings, consider using the library’s E-reserve service. Please note that e-reserves should be submitted to the library in a timely manner [I’ve contacted the library for specifics]. Back to the Top
Do I have to use a reader/handbook?
You are not required to use a handbook in your course. All Sages First Seminars use The Everyday Writer (Bedford/St Martins), and we recommend that you consider adopting it for your composition course. However, you may select the handbook you feel best serves your pedagogical goals. Desk copies of a variety of handbooks and readers are available at the Writing Center (104 Bellflower Hall) for you to peruse.
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Where do I order textbooks for my class?
Textbooks are ordered through the University bookstore. You can visit the bookstore in Thwing or submit your order online. The bookstore’s phone number is 216.368.2650.
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How do I get an instructor's copy of my textbooks?
You are responsible for obtaining desk copies of your textbooks. Please contact the publisher directly to request a desk copy.
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Where can I make copies of my syllabus and course materials?
Each English department TA has a budget of 2500 copies on the department’s copy machine. The copy machine is Guilford 211 (you’ll find your department mailbox there as well). Your copy code is the last four digits of your social security number followed by four zeros. Please see Frederica Ward as soon as possible to have your copy code activated.
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How can I put materials on reserve at the library?
Last year KSL Course Reserves was able to process ALL reserve items in 3 days or less throughout the semester. Instructors are encouraged to submit items as soon as possible to absolutely ensure accessibility, without error. If submitted at least two weeks before the semester begins, items will be guaranteed to be on line. For more information, please see: http://library.case.edu/ksl/services/reserves/faculty_index.html
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How many office hours should I hold?
You should hold at least 2 office hours per week. Be sure to list these hours on your syllabus, including the location! Because Case students are busy, you may need to arrange to meet with some students "by appointment" if they are unable to make your scheduled office hourse. Within reason, please accommodate your students.
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How do I order audio-visual equipment for my class?
If you need AV equipment for a class that meets in Guilford, you can order equipment using the Department of Modern Languages and Literature’s online order form.
If you need AV equipment for a class that meets in another building, you must have Frederica Ward submit the request for you. She will need the following information:
- Your class’s CRN
- The location, time, and date equipment is needed
- The type of equipment needed (be sure to specify VCR, DVD, or DVD and VCR)
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What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a course management program that allows you to interact with your students online. You can post documents and web links, collect students papers, send emails to your students, create discussion boards and track grades through a single web-based program accessed using your student ID and password. As a new TA, you will not have immediate access to Blackboard. Please contact the Director or Assistant to the Director of Composition for assistance.
Back to the Top Can/Should I put course materials online (Blackboard)? Once you have been approved as an Instructor of Record, you can access the Blackboard site and set up your course. This is a relatively simply process (a wizard guides you through the process). Once done, you can upload your syllabus and/or other course materials. Blackboard sites can be "recycled" from semester to semester as well.
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What do I do about a student who has missed too many classes?
Please see the Case attendance policy. You may set a reasonable attendance policy for your class; be sure to clearly state your policy on your syllabus and give students warning if they are approaching the maximum number of absences. If a student is in danger of failing the class because of absences, you should email the student and copy the Director of Composition and the Office of Undergraduate Studies.
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Can I give an "Incomplete" grade?
Please see the Case Policies Page.
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What do I do about a grade complaint?
If a student is concerned about a grade you have assigned, you should meet with the student to discss their concerns. If the student is not satisfied with your answer he/she may make an appointment with the Director of Composition and/or the Chair of your department.
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To whom should I talk? (A list of important contact people)
If this page hasn't answered your questions, contact one (or more) of the following people. Current contact information is availble on the Contact Information page; see also the Policies and Case Resources pages.
- > Director of Composition - for concerns about classroom behavior, attendance, grading, conflicts with faculty co-instructors, or scheduling.
- > Assistant Director of Composition - for teaching support, general questions/advice, and basic questions about logistics, etc.
- > Director of the Writing Center - for questions about writing workshops, faculty consultations, and recommended/required tutoring for students.
- > Chair of English - to apply to teach as a co-instructor, and for general concerns about students and/or faculty co-instructors.
- > Dean(s) of Undergraduate Studies - for all concerns about undergraduate students (the Office of Undergraduate Studies wants to know when a student is missing too many classes or having difficulties).
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