Seminar for Visiting Faculty
Fall 2009 Program
Objectives: Adjunct and visiting faculty are an increasingly important cohort at Macalester College. This seminar is designed so that visiting faculty can: 1) become acquainted and enjoy one another’s company; 2) discuss recurring pedagogical issues that uniquely concern them; 3) receive professional development opportunities; and 4) get job interview assistance. The seminar meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 12:00-1:00 at the Serie Center, Room 338 of the Library. Lunch provided; no RSVP necessary.
September 22 Getting to Know You!
Today’s luncheon provides us with an opportunity to meet other visiting faculty colleagues and get acquainted. No formal program, but come prepared to introduce yourself and enjoy informal conversation together.
October 6 Grading Group Work
Many faculty members at Macalester assign group work, but do not always get the results they hope for. Why not? Should all members of a group get the same grade? Different grades? Are group papers a good reflection of group accomplishment? Should you intervene when groups seem to be falling apart? This seminar session treats the vexing subject of how to deal with (and grade) group assignments. Bring your own experiences and advice to share.
October 20 Interviewing Here and There: Effective Job Talks
You are hunting for that elusive full time, tenure-track job. Maybe you intend to apply for an upcoming tenure-track position at Macalester. Come for conversation and practical advice on how to make your research job talk the crown jewel of a dazzling interview. Faculty who attend this session will have an opportunity to organize job talk “practice groups” to receive feedback from your seminar colleagues and the CST Director.
November 3 Contending with Plagiarism—David Chioni Moore, International Studies
While plagiarism is not a rampant problem at Macalester, when it happens in your course, it feels terrible. How ought you deal with unmistakable cases of plagiarism? When should campus administrators be involved? Is it best to handle it by yourself? What kinds of technological resources can assist you when you suspect that a student has cheated? Come hear David Moore, Associate Professor of International Studies discuss his experiences and his suggestions for dealing with plagiarism.
November 17 How’s It Going? CANCELLED
After nearly two months of teaching at Macalester, unsettling things are starting to happen. You are not getting as much research done as you had hoped. Or students keep emailing you at midnight and seem cranky when you don’t respond till the next day. Some students are asking you to be on their “honors committee.” You have little idea of what that means. This session is designed as a chance to take a breath, ask questions, share stories, compare notes and take stock.
December 1 Grading, Grade Inflation, and the Visiting Faculty Member
You may have heard rumors that adjunct and visiting faculty have a disproportionate upward effect on Macalester students’ grade point averages compared to tenured faculty. Is grade inflation a serious problem at Macalester and are visiting faculty really the culprits? What are the norms for grading in your department? How do you know?