Teaching Assignments & Expectations

The Writing Program, the English Department, and SAGES all expect that the teaching you do on campus is your primary employment; we thank you for your professionalism and for keeping us informed should any situation arise that affects your abilities to meet your teaching obligations.

New graduate teaching assistants (i.e., those receiving tuition waivers and stipends for instructional work) in English are assigned to work in the Writing Resource Center for their first semester. All new graduate student assistants in English are required to participate in the Fall semester English Department Pedagogy Seminar, which meets during the fall semester; syllabus and details will be provided during orientation. In addition, all new graduate students who have or who will have instructional responsibilities (i.e., all graduate assistants receiving a stipend from CWRU) must enroll in UNIV 400A their first semester on campus and will find out more information at the Graduate School Orientation on Tuesday & Wednesday of orientation week.

Returning English graduate students are assigned courses based on various program needs, pedagogical training, and individual schedules and preferences. Teaching assignments are divided among English Department courses (148, 150, 183, 186, 200-level literature and writing courses, and 398), collaborative teaching assignments in SAGES, Writing Resource Center consultations, and individual writing tutorials (ENGL 180).

  • English graduate assistants assigned to teach English 398 are required to attend Engineering 398 lectures (11:30-12:20 on Tuesdays) and periodic ENGL 398 staff meetings.
  • Those assigned to teach ENGL 148 and 150 will also have periodic staff meetings.
  • English graduate students working in the Writing Resource Center are required to attend training sessions and staff meetings.
  • English graduate students who will be teaching or providing writing support in SAGES seminars are required to participate in weekly SAGES Pedagogy Sessions (12:00-1:00 pm on Tuesdays).

The award of a graduate assistantship represents a significant investment by the university; therefore, English graduate assistants are expected not to accept employment outside the university during the academic year. Teaching assignments are announced via email (please note: schedules are subject to change, especially before the beginning of the semester).

Mentoring and Professional Development

The English Department has a mentoring program in place for all English TAs. English TAs assigned stand-alone teaching will likely be assigned a faculty teaching mentor. Please look for information on mentoring assignments and details prior to the beginning of the semester. It is the responsibility of TAs to get in touch with their mentor before classes begin.

Template CWRU Teaching CV

Please use this template (delete the comments!) and maintain your Teaching CV each semester. Please name/date the file: LastName_CV(Date) and link it to your Graduate Portfolio each semester.  This document does NOT replace an official, full CV for any other purpose – it is a CWRU-specific document!

200-Level English Courses & University Seminar Proposals

Please see Blackboard (“Case Writing Programs” then choose the folder for “Courses We Teach”) for instructions on how to submit your proposals for stand-alone teaching at the 200-level and/or in SAGES.

  • Fall Teaching proposals are due the first day of classes in the preceding spring semester (i.e., early January);
  • Spring and Summer Teaching proposals are due the first day of classes in the preceding fall semester (i.e., late August).

English Graduate Program Calendar

The Events section of this website displays public information about Writing Program activities.  The calendar embedded here (“English Graduate Program Calendar”) displays information about required staff meetings, EGSA meetings, and other events (e.g., graduate program workshops, etc.).  Note: you may add this calendar to your personal Google account by clicking on the +GoogleCalendar icon in the lower right corner of the calendar.

During Orientation Week, the Fall 2016 Writing Program Calendar was distributed (this document was complete as of 8/22/2016). Please note that updates will be available on this online calendar.