Applying to Teach in the UWP, 2011-12
UWP INSTRUCTORSHIPS
The Undergraduate Writing Program is currently soliciting applications from graduate students interested in teaching University Writing, Columbia's required first-year writing course. Note: On average, we receive over one hundred applications for fewer than ten positions per year.
Eligibility
Graduate students in the following categories are eligible to apply:
- Students in Arts and Sciences Ph.D. programs who will be entering at least their third year of study and at most their seventh year of study in the fall of 2011.
- Students in the Writing, Film, or Theatre Divisions of the School of the Arts who are pursuing M.F.A. degrees in writing and who will be entering their second or third years of study in the fall of 2011.
Note for Ph.D. Students in English and Comparative Literature
Ph.D. students in the Department of English and Comparative Literature normally begin teaching in the Undergraduate Writing Program in their third year of study. These students need not apply for positions.
Terms
Appointments are for two years, with one exception. Instructors who will begin teaching in their seventh year of graduate study will be appointed for one year only.
In the first year, most instructors teach one section of University Writing per semester. However, some instructors--especially advanced Ph.D. students in disciplines other than English--may be assigned to serve as consultants in our writing center. In the second year, instructors either teach one section of University Writing per semester or serve as writing consultants in our writing center.
These appointments will carry a stipend of at least $22,500 ['10-'11 figure] plus all tuition and fees.
Training and Development
All incoming instructors are required to take a preparatory seminar, Teaching Writing: Theory and Practice (English G6913), in the spring of 2011. All instructors are expected to participate in ongoing staff development activities, which currently include small-group staff meetings and semesterly orientations.
Application Procedure and Deadline
To apply, please submit the following materials in hard copy to Dr. Nicole B. Wallack, Director, Undergraduate Writing Program, 310 Philosophy Hall, by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 3, 2010:
1. application cover sheet
2. letter of application describing the applicant's teaching philosophy, interest in teaching writing, and relevant experience
3. C.V.
4. names of at least two Columbia faculty references.
4a. for first-year SoA students only: instead of listing two Columbia references, you have the option of replacing one of the two Columbia references with a non-Columbia person. If you do choose an outside referent, we request that you have that person send in a recommendation letter/email for you immediately. If a letter, have it sent to the above address; if an email, have it sent to uwp@columbia.edu. The deadline for receiving these outside references is November 19, 2010.
5. comments on sample student paper.
The cover sheet and sample student paper (along with directions for commenting) are available through the links below.
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The selection committee will then make an initial decision by Tuesday, November 23, 2010, and those selected to continue will be asked to provide the following material by noon, Wednesday, December 1, 2010:
6. academic writing sample (10 pages max.; part of a longer work is acceptable).
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We will conduct half-hour interviews with selected applicants from Friday, December 10 to Thursday, December 16, and announce appointments before the end of the calendar year.
Application Materials
Application Cover Sheet
Sample Student Paper
Article for Sample Student Paper