Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 11:24:42 -0500 (CDT)
From: Kevin Wehr <kwehr@ssc.wisc.edu>
To: Sociology Graduate Students -- International <socgrad@csf.colorado.edu>
Subject: Re: "Talk of the Nation" program on academic careers today (5/15)
In-Reply-To: <970519100107_-1934011199@emout09.mail.aol.com>
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I agree with JHuber, et al regarding this issue of grad students teaching.
I for one have seen TA's and Grad student instructors who were a damned
sight more enthusiastic than prof.'s about getting up in front of a class
several times a week, getting questions in office hours, etc etc.  But I
think we need to recall that yes, it certainly has to do with the
political economy of the academy, but also the focus that the department
has.  Her at wisconsin I have seen a few grad instructors go through three
or four semesters of teaching wihtout any oversight: no sit-ins by the
responsible prof., no final evaluation...only the routine student evals to
go on.  Inexcusable if you ask me.  The point is not just to do research.
The point is also to teach...at least it is for some of us!!
As far as the exploitation thing goes, I would urge all of you to get
involved with your teaching assistant association.  The TAA can be a
powerful organization if enough people are involved.  We are in the middle
of an action here right now, and let me tell you, the more people we have
out there the better...the nation and world over.  So get organized to
fight exploitation!

--Kevin


Kevin Wehr
kwehr@ssc.wisc.edu
608.256.8961