Department of Anthropology
University of Virginia

JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS AND GRADERSHIPS

Faculty should discuss their expectations of their teaching assistants (TAs) and graders in advance. Students in these roles should have clearly delimited jobs, both in terms of time and effort. In essence, a "contract" should be formulated at the beginning of each semester. The following guidelines for graders and TAs are reasonably specific but are not necessarily all-inclusive.

TEACHING ASSISTANTS:
Expected Weekly Work Hours: Full Time: 20
Half Time: 10 [Note: TAships in Anthropology are half-time.] *

GTAs are graduate students who have instructional assignments in classrooms or laboratories. In general, GTAs take responsibility to lead three discussion sections of courses that are taught by a member of the regular faculty. A lecture or two may be given if the major intent is to provide teaching experience for the student (in most cases, the instructor will be in attendance in order to provide feedback). GTAs should normally be enrolled in a full-time degree program.

Typical duties include:

  1. Attend lectures and read assigned readings for course.
  2. Conduct independently-run discussion sections averaging no more than 20 students each. Three 50 minute discussion sections/week = a half time assignment.
  3. Hold regular weekly office hours.
  4. Grade papers for their sections.
  5. Attend regular meetings for section planning.
  6. Grade course assignments, divided equitably with the instructor and other TAs and/or Graders if there are any.
  7. Write exam questions
  8. Help professor with audiovisual aids in classroom if needed.
  9. Collect, Xerox, and put articles on reserve or take them to copy center.

GRADERS:
Expected Weekly Work Hours: 10

Graduate student graders are paid as hourly employees and should therefore keep written timesheets.

Typical duties include:

  1. Attend lectures and read assigned readings for course.
  2. Take notes in lectures if requested by instructor.
  3. Write exam questions
  4. Collect, xerox, and put articles on reserve or take them to copying center.
  5. Grade exams, essays and other assignments, divided equitably with the instructor and other Graders and/or TAs if there are any.
  6. Help the professor with audiovisual aids in the classroom.

Approved at faculty meeting of 12 March 2003

* Students may not work over 20 hours/ week total at UVa without the permission of the DGS and the Associate Dean.


Return