Teaching

Teaching is an essential part of graduate training, and a teaching portfolio is increasingly required as part of applications for academic positions. The GSI Teaching and Resource Center is a valuable source of information and support. We are committed to training students in the most recent methods of language pedagogy and, to the extent possible, to providing them with diverse teaching opportunities. Requests are made in every February for the coming academic year. This is part of the annual cycle of Continued Progress and Funding and the form used is found in the FORMS section of this site. There are opportunities for teaching during the summer as well as during the regular academic year.

Below are the general criteria for the selection and ranking of Graduate Student Instructors:

University requirements for teaching appointments

A GPA of at least 3.1
No more than 2 incomplete grades in upper or division or graduate level classes.
Registered and enrolled in a minimum of 8 units, or 12 units if the salary, stipend, and/or fees are supplemented with department funds.
All students who are not native speakers of English must pass a test of proficiency in spoken English before they can hold any GSI position. You must submit proof of passing the proficiency exam to the Department before you can be hired. (For more information on these exams visit the GSI Resource Center at 301 Sproul or https://gsi.berkeley.edu/programs-services/language-proficiency/).
All non-U.S. citizens must have a valid visa for the time period in which they will be teaching. You must provide a copy of this document before you can be hired.
There is a limit of 8 semesters of service as a GSI. By exception students may be appointed beyond the 8^th semester if they have been advanced to candidacy for the PhD and have the approval of their head graduate adviser. There is an absolute maximum of 6 years of GSI appointments that cannot be exceeded, even by exception.

Departmental requirements for selection

Good academic standing and normal progress in the degree program.
For language teachers: Superior knowledge of the Italian language to be determined by the department Chair and the Director of the Language Program, using oral and written evaluations as necessary; successful completion of Italian 375 or equivalent (required of all first-time language instructors).
For literature, culture and film courses: Senior standing in the Ph.D. program (usually advancement to candidacy) and the approval of the Chair in consultation with the Graduate Adviser and the Department faculty.
For GSIs assisting in a large lecture course: Significant prior classroom experience, specialized academic training in the subject being taught and the approval of the Chair in consultation with the Graduate Adviser and the Department faculty.
For reappointment of GSIs: demonstrated teaching ability as assessed by student and faculty evaluations, including direct observation by the appropriate faculty supervisor. Reappointment is never automatic.

Priority for hiring

Italian Studies Department students with guaranteed teaching support packages, assuming they meet the criteria outlined above.
Other qualified students in Italian Studies who have 5 years or less in the M.A./PhD. Program or 4 years in the Ph.D. only program.
Other qualified students in Italian Studies who have not yet exceeded 6 years in the M.A./Ph.D Program or 5 years in the Ph.D only program.
Qualified students from Comparative Literature and other Departments with significant academic interests in Italian Studies.
Qualified instructors of Italian language from other Departments without a significant academic interest in Italian Studies.

Job Description

The duties of GSIs depend on the particular course assignment, but generally include the following:

For language teachers:

Teach one section (5 hours weekly; Italian Studies 1G 3 hours weekly)
Hold office hours (2 hours weekly and by appointment)
Prepare and assist in the preparation of supplemental material and examinations
Correct and grade examinations
Meetings and other contact with the language program coordinator

For GSIs assisting in a large lecture course:

Teach a maximum of 60 students in three discussion sections
Attend all lectures by the course professor and consult with her/him regularly
Assist in the devising and grading of paper topics and examinations
Hold office hours (2 hours weekly and by appointment)

III. For literature, culture and film courses:

Carry out necessary preparation for class meetings
Meet course at regularly scheduled times (3 hours per week)
Hold office hours (2 hours weekly and by appointment)
Devise and grade paper assignments and examinations
Meet regularly with course supervisor

All of these activities are carried out under the active direction of a regular member of the faculty to whom final responsibility for all courses, including the performance of GSIs, has been assigned. Graduate Student Instructors are not required to submit monthly timesheets in order to receive pay but you may find it useful to keep track of your weekly hours in order to pace your effort for each of the major duties of your appointment. We urge you to promptly consult with your instructor if you find yourself unable to meet the obligations of this appointment without exceeding the overall workload limits of this appointment. Your instructor will provide you with more specific guidance on the measures or approaches you can take to stay within the expected workload limits. Please refer to the UAW contract for specific information about workload limits. https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/bx/contract.html

First-time GSIs must attend the Teaching Conference for new GSIs offered by the Teaching and Resource Center each semester on the Friday before classes begin. International GSIs must also attend the teaching conference for new international GSIs offered in the fall semester on the Thursday before classes begin.

First-time GSIs must successfully complete an online course on professional standards and ethics in teaching by the end of the second week of classes. To enroll in the online course, go to http://gsi.berkeley.edu/.

Language GSIs
- First-time Language GSIs are required to enroll in a 375 course (Seminar in Language Pedagogy) in the fall, and also in Italian Studies 302.
- In subsequent semesters, Language GSIs should enroll in Italian Studies 302 (a teaching practicum involving regular consultation).
Reading and Composition GSIs
- First time Reading and Composition GSIs are required to enroll in an R&C Pedagogy course (College Writing 375, Comparative Literature 375 for example) prior to or concurrent with the first semester teaching the 5A/5B course, and Italian Studies 303 also.
- In subsequent semesters, R&C GSIs should enroll in Italian Studies 303 with the R&C supervisor.
GSIs for IS 40 or upper-division courses will enroll in Italian Studies 303 under the supervision of the instructor of record for the course.

GSIs are responsible for reporting their absences from campus and missed work assignments to the faculty member in charge. It is the responsibility of the GSI to contact their substitute.

According to the Faculty Code of Conduct, those who have responsibility for teaching are expected to evaluate student work in a timely manner, post and keep regular office hours open to students without prior appointments, and ensure that grades directly reflect course performance. Unacceptable conduct includes, among other activities, intentional disruption of functions or activities sponsored or authorized by the University, and unauthorized use of University resources on a significant scale for personal, commercial, political, or religious purposes. The Standing Orders of the Regents state that no compensation shall be paid to those holding University appointments unless they are actively engaged in the service of the University.