Critical Theory Cluster Graduate Assistant Position
The Critical Theory Cluster is currently looking to fill a graduate assistant (GA) position for four quarters: Spring 2019, Summer 2019, Fall 2019, and Winter 2020. The graduate assistant works with faculty, staff, and graduate affiliates of the cluster to coordinate planning of interdisciplinary activities.
The majority of the GA’s responsibilities include organizing and publicizing Critical Theory events, as well as assisting with updating the Critical Theory brochure and website. The assistant will work closely with the program directors and the program administrator to organize workshops and reading groups, and to help with writing documents and summarizing information related to Critical Theory activities (e.g., funding applications for events, bios of invited speakers, books announcements, etc.). A central responsibility of the GA during the summer quarter will be to update the list of courses counting toward the certificate in critical theory.
The Graduate Assistant must:
- Be available to commit to four quarters of service and attend key events organized by the Critical Theory Cluster during the 2019 – 20 academic year.
- Have some technological know-how (e.g., updating the Critical Theory website, creating posters, etc.).
- Be willing to organize a dissertation research workshop with interested graduate students affiliated to the Critical Theory Cluster.
- Be available to respond to emails promptly and courteously
The compensation and expected work hours are the same as a regular TAship/GAship (the stipend per month for Spring and Summer 2019 is $2,683 and for Fall 2019 and Winter 2020, it is TBD; the expected hours range from 15-20 per week). The GA is funded for four quarters (spring, summer, fall, and winter). The GA will be trained and supervised by the Critical Theory administrator and cluster directors. There will be weekly check-ins via email and in-person with the GA and the Critical Theory administrator (and cluster directors as necessary).
The Graduate Assistant must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
- Student must be in good academic standing.
- Student must have the approval of the program DGS and primary thesis adviser to accept the appointment.
- Student may not be beyond their fifth year in the term of appointment.
- Must be a TGS student.
Learning Objectives of Critical Theory Graduate Assistant:
- Acquiring/improving skills required for planning and executing a variety of academic events (workshops, conferences, reading groups, etc.) throughout the year.
- Acquiring/improving skills required for creating and updating the yearly Critical Theory brochure, which includes organizing course and event information for the following academic year and coordinating and working with all partner units to gather the necessary information (courses that count towards the critical theory certificate, visiting scholar bios, events, etc.).
- Acquiring/improving skills required for writing official academic documents such as funding applications for events, invitations to international scholars, summaries of key information related to Critical Theory activities (e.g., books announcements, scholars bios, etc.), designing flyers and other publicity materials, upgrading the Critical Theory website, official email communications, etc.
Graduate students affiliated with the cluster are strongly encouraged to apply immediately. To apply, please answer the following questions and submit your responses by midnight on Monday, January 7, 2019, to criticaltheory@northwestern.edu.
- Please describe your research interests as they relate to Critical Theory in less than 200 words.
- Why would this be a good opportunity for you, or how will it advance your professional goals?
- Are you able to meet the requirements of the Critical Theory graduate assistant position, as listed above? Do you have questions about what is expected of you?
The Cluster directors and program administrator will conduct interviews either in person or via Skype if you are away from campus, and they will award the position by mid-January 2019. The term of this position will begin on Saturday, March 9, 2019.
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