Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Opportunities
Each year, the Department of Sociology typically hires a few undergraduate teaching assistants to assist with courses. Soc Majors interested in becoming more involved in the department's academic program should consider applying. Selection is based on academic performance, writing ability, and interest areas. We invite you to apply if you are a junior or senior with a declared major in Sociology and have completed most of the required courses for the major; have a 3.2+ GPA overall and in your major coursework; and have a basic knowledge of social theory, social statistics, and research methods.
Undergraduate TAs are paid at the Undergraduate Teaching Assistant II rate (in 2007-08, the projected pay rate for undergrad TAs starts at $9.93 per hour) for an average of 20 hours per week throughout fall and/or spring semesters.
Duties: Undergraduate TAs assist with 1xxx, 3xxx, and 4xxx level courses, work with faculty, hold office hours, mark exams, read papers, help compute grades, assist with preparation of course materials, attend the class to which they are assigned, answer student questions about the course, and generally provide classroom support for the faculty teaching the course. We especially seek students who are interested in leading a lab discussion section for Introductory Sociology (SOC 1001) and social statistics labs (SOC 3811). Students must have earned A's in SOC 3811 and 3801 to be eligible for lab assignments.
To apply, pick up an application form from the Sociology Department office, 909 Social Sciences, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The application consists of (1) the application form, (2) an application letter telling us about your background and interest in this position, (3) a current transcript and/or student course report including all your grades through the previous fall and a list of courses you are registered for Spring; and (4) a sample of your written work (a 6-10 page paper written in a sociology course or related discipline). We also ask for a list of your projected fall courses. You must be registered for a minimum of 6 credits each semester during the period of employment.
You can download the Undergrad TA application.
Please note: if you apply, we typically do not notify undergrad TAs until immediately prior to the start of fall semester, so it is very important that we have your summer contact information. We hold a required full day TA training sometime during the last week in August. This is a paid work day for those TAs that we hire.
If you have questions, please contact Ann Rausch, Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising, at arausch@umn.edu or (612) 624-6013. Applications are due in 909 Social Sciences within the first week of May.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER.