AY 25-26 Application Information

The Core Curriculum invites applications from GRS doctoral students who are enthusiastic about supporting writing instruction in our first- and second-year humanities and social sciences courses. Core is a learning community that offers interdisciplinary study of transformative pre- modern and modern texts and ideas in small-class discussion seminars. Core faculty come from almost every department and program in CAS and are dedicated to helping undergraduates engage with enduring questions through conversation and in writing.

Positions are generally for the academic year (the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters), although in some instances they may be for the Fall 2025 semester only. GRS doctoral students who will be in their seventh year (G7) or earlier at the time of service are eligible to apply.

Terms: Teaching Fellows in Writing receive the standard stipend and benefits for GRS doctoral students. Appointments will be for one (F25) or two (F25 and S26) semesters; Teaching Fellows in Writing are eligible to serve for at most four semesters. All Teaching Fellows in Writing will receive appropriate training for the responsibilities described below. Attendance at all training events, including a pre-Fall semester orientation typically held in late August or early September, is mandatory.

Responsibilities: Core Teaching Fellows in Writing help first and second-year undergraduates bring the analysis and argument skills practiced in Core seminar discussions to the page. Fellows are assigned to individual seminar sections and are expected to work closely with the Core faculty members teaching their assigned sections. Each Core section is ordinarily capped at sixteen students. Teaching Fellows in Writing have the following responsibilities:

  • conduct one-on-one tutoring sessions (8 hours a week);
  • design and deliver writing workshops on a range of topics (for example, thesis development, using citations, or paragraph organization);
  • complete all course readings for their sections and attend associated weekly course lectures;
  • participate in training developed by the Core Writing Coordinator; this includes a beginning-of-year orientation, an observation, occasional meetings, and reflective writing.

Experience in tutoring or teaching writing is preferred; enthusiasm for working with undergraduates is essential. Teaching Fellows in Writing are invited to attend optional community events such as faculty gatherings, our annual picnic, and our end-of-year banquet.

Most Teaching Fellows in Writing will be assigned to CC101: Ancient Worlds in the fall semester. Other courses that might require Teaching Fellows in Writing are listed here.

We will host two information sessions on Zoom: Friday, 12/13/24 from 4-5 PM, and Thursday, 1/30/25 from 2-3 PM (Meeting ID 665 433 4228). Applications will be accepted between December 15, 2024 and February 14, 2025. To apply, please email Marie McDonough, Core Writing Coordinator, at msmcd@bu.edu with a detailed cover letter explaining your interest in the position, a 10-15-page writing sample, and a CV. Interviews will be held in late February and offers made by March 7, 2025. For questions, email Marie McDonough (msmcd@bu.edu) or Kyna Hamill, Core Director (kyna@bu.edu).

(The information on this page is current as of 12.3.24)

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