April 1, 2009

TO: GRADUATE STUDENTS

FROM: THE UCSD COUNCIL OF WRITING PROGRAMS

Dr. Stephen Cox, Humanities Program

Dr. Carrie Wastal, Muir College Writing Program

Dr. Robert Horwitz and Dr. Robert Cancel, Dimensions of Culture Program

Dr. Linda Brodkey, Warren College Writing Program

Dr. Matthew Herbst, Making of the Modern World

Dr. Linda Strauss, Culture, Art & Technology

SUBJECT: TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS IN THE WRITING PROGRAMS/CORE COURSES 2009-2010

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, May 1, 2009 at noon

Each of UCSD’s six undergraduate colleges has its own writing program or core sequence with an embedded writing component. Although each program operates independently, we collectively invite applicants for teaching assistantships, and receive all applications at one “clearinghouse” (see next page).

Applicants are selected on the basis of their suitability for our individual programs. Each of the writing programs has provided a description of its program and courses, which you will find attached. Applicants should discuss with their graduate coordinators any job offers they receive, as the approval of the students’ home departments is a precondition to acceptance of candidates.

To apply for a teaching assistantship for the 2009-2010 academic year, please prepare application packets, each consisting of the following:

w A letter of application explaining why you are interested in teaching in a program in which writing plays a central role, and stating any experience you may have acquired in the field thus far, as well as other experience you consider relevant. If you are submitting a college-specific cover letter, please make that clear in the address line. In the upper right hand corner of this letter list your name, graduate department and degree goal, e-mail address, daytime and evening telephone numbers, and your hours of accessibility (if appropriate). Right below this information please list, in order of preference, the names of the program(s) whose consideration you seek. (You are encouraged to apply to more than one program, because there are more applicants than available positions.) This letter should be the first page(s) of each packet.

w A brief resume or curriculum vitae of pertinent qualifications.

w One sample of your writing (in English), such as a seminar paper or term paper.

Submit one copy of your application packet for each program included in your list of preferences plus an additional copy for the master file to the Clearinghouse (see below). For example, if you are applying to all six programs you will need to send seven packets. The Dimensions of Culture (DOC) Program is functioning as the clearinghouse for the six writing programs this year. They will distribute the application packets to the other writing programs as appropriate. ALL applications should be sent to:

UCSD

Dimensions of Culture Program

Application Clearinghouse

9500 Gilman Drive, 0525

La Jolla, CA 92093-0525

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, May 1, 2009 at noon

Applications may also be hand-delivered on campus to the Dimensions of Culture Program at Sequoyah Hall, Room 132. If you need directions or have questions about the application process, please call Sue Hawkinson at DOC, (858) 534-0635 or send e-mail to schawkinson@ucsd.edu. Please specify “TA application” in the subject heading.

After you have read the attached descriptions, if you need more detailed information about a specific writing program, please contact the appropriate staff representative:

§ Revelle College Humanities Program: Pam Clark, (858) 534-3312

e-mail: pclark@ucsd.edu

§ John Muir College Writing Program: Nancy Hesketh, (858) 534-2426

e-mail: ndhesketh@ucsd.edu

§ Thurgood Marshall College, Dimensions of Culture Program: Sue Hawkinson, (858) 534-0635

e-mail: schawkinson@ucsd.edu

§ Earl Warren College Writing Program: Julie Lakatos, (858) 534-3068

e-mail: jlakatos@ucsd.edu

§ Eleanor Roosevelt College Writing Program, MMW: Mollie Martinek, (858) 534-7117

e-mail: mmartinek@ucsd.edu

§ Sixth College, Culture, Art & Technology: Nicole Petruska, (858) 534-1209

e-mail: npetruska@ucsd.edu

Most program offices are staffed Monday through Friday. Please check with individual offices for their open hours. Budget constraints may prevent some programs from returning long-distance phone calls. Out-of-town applicants are encouraged to send questions (only) via e-mail if possible – please specify “TA application” in the subject heading. We regret that we cannot accept application packets electronically – hard copies must be mailed or delivered.

This information is also available at http://clearinghouse.ucsd.edu