Teaching Associate (TA) for the Department of Communication

College of Arts and Humanities

Department Overview:

The Department of Communication at California State University, Fresno offers a blend of qualitative, quantitative, and rhetorical approaches to the study of human communication from a range of traditional, contemporary, and critical perspectives. The program presents a balance of humanistic and scientific instruction, conducts theoretical and applied research, and provides training in the communication skills students need to function effectively in teaching, business, law, the communication professions, public service, politics, and management. Underrepresented candidates are encouraged to apply.

Position Overview:

The Department of Communication seeks graduate students as Teaching Associate (TA) applicants. Teaching Associates typically are responsible for providing classroom instruction. Eligibility is determined by successful TA eligibility, department eligibility and adequate funding.

• TAs in Communication typically teach two sections of a lower-division General Education course (COMM 3: Fundamentals of Public Communication) under the close supervision of the Graduate Teaching Associate Coordinator.

The department reserves the right to choose the most qualified candidate for each position and to assign TAs to the courses that are appropriate for the department program and curriculum in any given semester. Due to staff and curriculum changes, courses offered may vary, and no guarantee of employment from semester to semester can be made.

Anticipated Appointment Dates: This position is opened until filled. If you have applied and no other positions are available, you will be notified.

Fall 2024: August 19, 2024 - December 23, 2024 

Spring 2025: January 15, 2025 - May 23, 2025

Hours/Units per week: Students can work up to 20-hours per week;

• 1-unit is equivalent to 2.66 hours per week (40hrs x 1-unit/15-unit)
• The typical range for labs is between 1.3-wtus - 5.2-wtus (dependent on courses and number of section(s) assigned)
• The typical range for lectures is between 3-6 units (dependent on courses and number of section(s) assigned)
• No more than 6-units

Job Duties may include the following, but will be dependent upon the specific course to which the teaching associate will be assigned, as well as upon the specific needs of the faculty member in charge of the course:

• Teach course(s) as instructor of record, including presentation of all lectures
• Prepare course materials
• Maintain office hours
• Administer examinations
• Assess student performance, including determining course grades
• Attend meetings scheduled by the TA Coordinator for purposes of briefing, coordination, and discussion of course content and materials
• Attend pedagogy classes required for training purposes
• Read and evaluate student papers
• Evaluate student assignments
• Maintain/submit student grades
• Maintain Canvas LMS pages for courses taught
• The supervisor will perform class observation

Qualifications:

1. Admission to the MA Program in the Department of Communication, in good academic standing.
2. Enrollment in at least 6-units for the semester or in two courses toward the degree.
3. Demonstrated, satisfactory progress towards the degree.
• For graduate students with conditional classified standing in the discipline current enrollment in at least six (6) units of graduate study in the program is required
• For graduate students already matriculating in the program, a pattern of significant and satisfactory progress toward the completion of the graduate degree is required
4. Ability to relate well with others within the academic environment and have the ability or potential to learn how to instruct and evaluate students.
5. Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff and students from diverse ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
6. Communication skills appropriate to the instructional setting
7. Evidence of subject matter competence

8. Ability and willingness to work with computers including common word-processing software, and computer and Internet-based language teaching technology.

Application Procedures: The review of applications will begin in Spring 2024 for a Fall 2024 start date.

*For full consideration, the application and all required materials must be submitted by April 1st; consideration will continue on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

The following documents are required to upload:

1. Current unofficial transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate education.  If you have attended more than one institution, please copy and combine these transcripts into one document. How to submit your unofficial transcripts:
   • If you are a Fresno State student:  Sign into https://my.fresnostate.edu.  Access your Unofficial Transcript.  Highlight all text throughout the document, copy it and paste it into a word processor document, and save the document with your name somewhere in the file name. 
   • If you are not yet a Fresno State student:  Most U.S. universities allow students to access their academic records online, in a way similar to the way described above for Fresno State students.  Contact your institution’s registrar to find out how to access your unofficial transcript and follow the process described above.  If you have transcripts from more than one institution, please copy them all and paste them into one document, as PageUp only allows one document to be uploaded into the link for transcripts.  Make certain that each institution is clearly indicated within this document.
2. Curriculum Vita, or résumé. Your Curriculum Vita, or CV, is the academic equivalent of a résumé.  It should contain your contact information, your employment and educational history, skills such as computer programming, familiarity with commonly used computer programs, as well as internships, awards, volunteer service, training and any other experience you have that is relevant to education and a list of three references.
3. List of three references. The online application will request you to enter your three references separate from your C.V. The letters of references will be requested by the committee (these can be the same referees/references letters used for admission to the MA program in Communication). Be prepared to enter the following for each of your three referents:
   • First name
   • Last name
   • Type of reference
   • Organization
   • Position Title
   • Phone Number
   • E-mail address

Inquiries: For application inquiries, please email Diane Blair, dblair@csufresno.edu

Finalists: may be asked for an interview

The California State University Teaching Associate Classification and Standards

• Evaluations: For details please view the Academic Policy Manual, Section 311
• Salary: Each department has different salary scales. Please check with your department for your Base Salary. The monthly salary is calculated based on the Weighted Teaching Units assigned.
• Salary Schedule: The CSU Salary Schedule can be found here (Class Code = 2354 for Teaching Associates).
• Assignments: Assignments are made by Department Chair or Program Coordinator after consultation with the teaching associate.
• Duties Form: Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Unit 11, a Duties Form (see Appendix E of the CBA) will be completed between the Department and Academic Student Employee. This form substantiates the jobs included for the department teaching associate position.
• Teaching Associate is a student position for those actively enrolled in a graduate program at Fresno State. 
• Students are limited to 20-hours of part-time work on campus.

About the Campus

California State University, Fresno, is a forward-looking and diverse institution located in California’s Central Valley, known for its agriculture, reasonable housing costs, cultural diversity, and proximity to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada.

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land.

The campus is ranked 36^th in the nation by Washington Monthly’s 2022 National University Rankings, and ranked 25^th in the nation in MONEY Magazines 50 Best Public Colleges. The campus is classified as an R2 “Doctoral Universities – High research activities” university per Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Fresno State’s Principles of Community

These Principles were developed collaboratively by faculty, staff, and administrators. They exemplify what we aspire to be.  Find out more about our Principles of Community here.

We all play a role in fostering an inclusive work and learning environment of respect, kindness, collaboration, and accountability where every member of the student body, faculty, staff, and administration can thrive. Our Principles of Community reflect our core values of Discovery, Diversity, and Distinction as well as our deep commitment to our mission "to boldly educate and empower students for success."

California State University, Fresno is an engaged University. We focus on broadening students' intellectual horizons, fostering lifelong learning skills, developing the leaders of tomorrow, promoting community involvement, and instilling an appreciation of world cultures. We nurture cultural competence by celebrating the rich diversity of the campus community and welcoming the participation of all. Members of the University community are expected to work effectively with faculty, staff and students from diverse ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Our Students

California State University, Fresno is committed to serving our students with a focus on inclusion. Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Other Campus Information

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants, students, and employees online at https://adminfinance.fresnostate.edu/clery/index.html. Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

The person holding this position is considered a "limited reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

California State University, Fresno is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, and vapor-free campus. For more information, please click http://fresnostate.edu/adminserv/smokefree/index.html

California State University, Fresno is committed to maintaining and implementing employment policies and procedures in compliance with applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and regulations. Executive Orders 1096 and 1097 prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of a protected status: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition and covered veteran status. Fresno State's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

The California State University System strongly recommends the COVID-19 vaccination and booster for all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) as stated in the revised policy effective April 2023, COVID-19 Vaccinations and Other Safety Measures. You can find more information here.