Graduate Writing Fellowship - Fall 2010 Applications
The CAS Writing Program is soliciting applications from doctoral students interested in being considered for one of approximately 22 Graduate Writing Fellowships that we will award for the fall of 2010. These competitive fellowships provide doctoral students from across the university with an opportunity to receive valuable training and teaching experience while serving as instructors in the CAS Writing Program.
Terms and Conditions
Graduate Writing Fellows (GWFs) receive a stipend of $9200 per semester, health insurance coverage, and continuing student fees. GWFs teach one undergraduate writing seminar (WR100 or WR150) per semester. The spring before their first semester of teaching, incoming GWFs must take Teaching Composition (GRS WR698), a two-credit seminar designed to prepare them for their fall teaching assignments. In the spring of 2010, this course will meet on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. The following fall, new GWFs must take Teaching College Writing (GRS WR699), a two-credit practicum that guides them through their first semester of teaching in the CAS Writing Program. Continuing GWFs are required to attend at least four Writing Program Colloquia (dates and times TBA) for which they receive WR699 credit. In addition, all GWFs may be required to attend other occasional program events, such as orientation sessions and staff meetings.
Eligibility and Renewal
The CAS Writing Program offers writing seminars on topics from across the disciplines. We therefore welcome applications not only from students in literature and the humanities but also from students in the social and natural sciences. Most Graduate Writing Fellows are GRS students, but we will consider applications from non-GRS students as well. Likewise, most GWFs hold advanced standing (post-orals) in their programs, but we will consider applications from students at any stage in their doctoral programs. Awards are made on a semester-by-semester basis, with the expectation of renewal for up to four semesters. Students who have taught as GWFs for four or more semesters may also apply for renewal, but their applications will be considered only after all first-time applicants and GWFs who have held the fellowship for fewer than four semesters have been considered. GWFs are supervised jointly by the Writing Program and their home departments.
Application Procedure
To apply, please submit the following materials to Joseph Bizup, Assistant Dean and Director, CAS Writing Program:
- A letter of application discussing your reasons for wishing to teach in the Writing Program, your teaching experience, your academic or research interests, and your progress toward degree. We are especially interested in hearing how the fellowship will contribute to your broader professional preparation.
- A curriculum vitae and current graduate transcript.
- A 15-25 page writing sample taken from your recent academic work.
- The name of one BU faculty recommender familiar with your prior teaching and academic work.
You may deliver these materials in hardcopy to the CAS Writing Program, 730 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 301, Boston, MA 02215, or email them to writing@bu.edu. Electronic submissions are preferred. Please submit documents as .doc (not .docx) or as .pdf. We will interview selected applicants in December and notify all applicants of our decisions before the intersession.
Information Session
We will host an information session for prospective applicants on Tuesday, November 3, 4-5 p.m. in the Writing Program conference room at 730 Commonwealth Ave., Room 301. You can also learn about the Writing Program by browsing our website.
Syllabi of Current Fellows
To view the WR100 syllabi of two current graduate writing fellows teaching in the program, please follow the links below.
- Michael D'Alessandro, "The City in Twentieth-Century American Drama"
- Emily Gruber, "Re-Fashioning Shakespeare: Filming the Bard"
Deadline
Complete applications received by Friday, November 13, 2009, will receive first consideration.
