Teaching Support

A variety of resources exist at the university and department levels, which support teaching and learning, with specific missions to promote diversity. These resources are useful both for the new and experienced instructor who seeks personal or pedagogical support in the classroom.

University-Wide

College of Letters & Sciences: L&S compiled this extensive list of on-campus and national resources for teaching assistants. A useful source, Tips for Teachers (2017), was created by College of Letters & Science Teaching Fellows. Of particular relevance are Jee Jee Kim’s “Engaging Controversial Subjects in Discussion” (pp. 14-15) and Stephanie Larson’s “Approaching Difference: Strategies for Creating an Inclusive Classroom Environment” (pp. 18-19).

Delta Program in Research, Teaching, and Learning: The Delta Program’s mission is to support future faculty development. Learning through diversity is a core component of this program’s mission. Delta runs a “Diversity in the College Classroom” course regularly, which can be taken for graduate-level credit (and can be applied towards a Delta Certificate in Research, Teaching, and Learning).

Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning: In addition to providing generalized support for educational initiatives on campus, this office holds an annual Fall Diversity Forum. The Diversity Forum is a free, public event that attracts excellent speakers to campus and is a space to engage in cross-departmental conversation about diversity concerns on campus.

Office for Equity and Diversity: The OED is a unit of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement that coordinates campus compliance with affirmative action and equal opportunity requirements. If you feel you have been discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, or ability status you may seek reporting assistance from the OED. Additionally, the OED hosts the required Equity Workshops for graduate assistants.

Sociology Program

Minority Recruitment & Retention Committee: The MRRC is a student-driven organization within the Sociology Graduate Program founded to improve diversity in the graduate student and faculty population. Supported by the MRRC, the Teaching Race workshops have been popular with prospective, first-time, and experienced TAs. Learn how to apply to become involved with the MRRC here.

Rapid Response Teaching Page: The Sociology Department hosts a Facebook page that is gathering place for instructors dealing with the impacts of rapidly unfolding current events in the classroom. If you’re in (or teaching in) the Sociology or C&E Sociology Department and would like to join the group, please ask a member of the Sociology Grad Student Association or the MRRC how to gain access. (The page is what Facebook calls a “closed,” “secret” group.)