TITLE

TITLE: History 5101 – Teaching History in College

TIME/LOCATION: August 25-29 – MTThF, 10:00-11:50 am, 141 Holden Hall

Regular Semester – MWF, 11:00 am-noon, 141 Holden Hall

Texas Tech University

Fall Semester 2003

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. David L. Snead

Visit my web site at www3.tltc.ttu.edu/snead

OFFICE/OFFICE HOURS: MWF, noon-1 pm and by appointment. Generally, I am in my office by 7:15 a.m. and stay to 3:30 p.m. If I am in my office, feel free to stop by if you need to see me. If it is not a good time, I will let you know. You can email me at david.snead@ttu.edu. You can also call me at 742-1004 (ext. 240).

Office: 49 Holden Hall

COURSE OBJECTIVES: To acclimate new teaching assistants and graduate instructors to teaching in college with an emphasis on teaching history.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The nature of this course is different from most you will take. Other than the possibility of a handout or two, there are no required readings. Your grade will be based on the assignments listed below, your performance in your discussion sections, and class participation. All of the written assignments need to be typed and double-spaced. No assignments will be accepted late unless arrangements are made in advance. Each requirement will be counted equally in your final grade.

1) Philosophy of Teaching Statement – you will have to write a two-page Philosophy of Teaching statement. This statement should explain why you want to teach, how you came to this decision, and what you hope to accomplish in your career.

2) Summary of Your Assigned Professor's Expectations – during the week of August 25-28 (if you have not done so earlier), you will need to meet with your assigned professor and identify his/her expectations for TAs in that course. You will have to turn in a one-page statement describing the expectations. I am very interested in knowing what is expected of you at the meetings of the big section and during your individual discussion sections. Also, you need to find out how many hours your professor expects you to put into the class. If you have your own class, you will need to summarize your expectations.

3) Short Lecture/Presentation – you will give a 20-minute lecture to the class on a topic related to your research interests, but that could be presented to a survey course (Non-Americanists can and should present a lecture based on their own field). In addition to the lecture, you will have to turn in a copy of your notes.

4) Sample Course Syllabus – you will have to develop a course syllabus for either History 2300 or 2301. Please make the syllabus for the class in which you are NOT currently an assistant or an instructor. The syllabus needs to follow the basic format of the sample passed out in class. It should be based on 14-week semester (42 one-hour class sessions).

5) Sample Written Lecture – you will have to write a 50-minute lecture that you would present in either a U.S. history or Western Civilizations survey course. You can discuss any topic from either U.S. History or Western Civilizations. The format of your actual lecture notes is up to you, but you need to be sure to provide enough detail to explain your objectives but not too much to overwhelm the students. The first thing in your notes should be your objectives for the lecture and any materials you will use.

6) Learning from Current Professors – you will have to visit three undergraduate history classes that are taught by three different full-time faculty members. Before visiting these classes, you need to get the permission of the professor. You will need to write a one to two-page assessment of what you learned from your visits.

7) Self-Assessment of Your Own Teaching – you will have to write a one to two-page self-assessment of your performance during the semester as a TA. What were your strengths and weaknesses? In what area did you show the most improvement? Explain. What areas do you still need to improve?

8) Evaluation of Teaching – Dr. Snead will observe two of your discussion sections during the semester. You will receive a written evaluation after each classroom visit.

9) Class Participation – you are expected to participate actively in classroom discussions. Failure to do so will adversely affect your grade.

Grade Schedule: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, and F.

****All work done in this class must adhere to Texas Tech University’s honor code.****

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Regular attendance is expected. The success of this class depends on active student involvement. Absences will be detrimental to your grade. Texas House Bill 256 requires institutions of higher education to excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day. The student shall also be excused for time necessary to travel. An institution may not penalize the student for the absence and allows for the student to take an exam or complete an assignment from which the student is excused. No prior notification of the instructor is required.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (Americans with Disabilities Act): I will make every reasonable accommodation to assist students with disabilities. It is the responsibility of the student to let me know of the disability as soon as possible and to help develop the best program for accommodating his/her needs.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

8/25 – Introduction; Teaching is a Profession.

8/26 – Organizing a Course and Presenting a Lecture

8/27 – *****A&S New TA Orientation – 8 am-4:45 pm*****

8/28 – Classroom Headaches and Problems – Your Peers’ Perspectives

Assignment 1 Due – Philosophy of Teaching Statement

8/29 – Advice from some of the best in the department and Tests and Grading

Assignment 2 Due – Summary of your assigned professors’ expectations

9/1 – No Class (Labor Day)

9/3 – Short Lecture Presentations