Teaching Assistant Orientation 



 
 November 24, 2009

 
Course Syllabus

Course Description | Objectives | Grading | Course Resources | Contact Information | Lecture Evaluations | Help | Ethical Conduct


 

Course Description

Introduces the role of the teaching assistant. Topics include JHU policies on grades, cheating, and sexual harassment; student evaluation; leading the discussion group; and the need for developing a personal philosophy of teaching. Students are encouraged to share their experiences as TAs and teachers.


Objectives

This course should make it possible for students to --

  • Identify the array of teaching assistant roles in the Department of Health Policy and Management and other departments
  • Discuss school and departmental policies related to working with students (among the topics covered are the school’s academic ethics code, the federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student grievance procedures, and special accommodation policies)
  • Examine teaching theory and practice issues
  • Discuss teaching resources available in the school and on the web
  • Describe how good teaching is an academic discipline requiring familiarity with current research and practice

Grading

Teaching Assistant Orientation is a pass/fail course designed to help you prepare for your role as a teaching assistant here at the School of Public Health. The course consists of four lectures integrating information about the teaching environment: the specific roles and responsibilities you may take on as a teaching assistant; practical teaching tips for those who are new to the classroom; and information on citations and writing, two arenas in which you may be asked to assist your students.

In addition to reviewing these lectures, you will be expected to --

  • Complete four course assignments (exercises) 
  • Attend the LiveTalk on 10/28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

A grade of "Pass" will be assigned to all course participants who complete the lecture series and complete the assignments on time.


Course Resources

There are no required readings in this course. However, a list of resource links is in the Online Library. Feel free to explore the links and bookmark those that you might use in the future. If you know of other related Web sites that may be of interest to course participants, please share them in the BBS.

The audio portions of all lectures are available to you (in addition to the standard presentation format) in a downloadable format for your convenience. Please note that these materials are copyrighted, and are only for your personal use within the course. Copying and/or distributing these files, for any other purposes, are not permitted. Thank you for your consideration.

  

Contact Information

Faculty:
Dana Sleicher, MA, MPH
Associate Director, MHS Program in Health Policy
624 North Broadway Street, Room 453
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-614-1535
dsleiche@jhsph.edu

Guest Speaker:
Linda Bruce, MA
lbruce@jhsph.edu

Teaching Assistant:
Lindsay Schwartz
lischwar@jhsph.edu


Lecture Evaluations

We value your input in evaluating the elements of this course. An online evaluation form is attached to each lecture page for you to complete. This information will be given serious attention in future updates to the course.

Help

Concerns
Contact
Concerns about course topics and assignments
Technical concerns about the functionality and operation of course Web pages (before emailing, please make sure that you can replicate the problem)
  • DEHelp, the central help system for all tech support inquiries related to DED courses
Technical help on weekends
  • JHSPH User Support: 410-955-3781
Concerns about your Internet connection
  • Your Internet service provider (e.g., AT&T, Erols, etc.)
Concerns about your personal software
  • Your software vendor


Ethical Conduct

The academic ethics code, as discussed in the Policy and Procedure Memorandum for Students, March 31, 2002, will be adhered to in this class.


Disability Support Services

If you are a student with a documented disability who requires an academic accommodation, please contact Betty H. Addison in the Office of Career Services and Disability Support: dss@jhsph.edu, 410-955-3034, or Room E-1140.

 

© 2009 The Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.
Copyright to this collective work of materials is owned by The Johns Hopkins University.
Copyright to individual contributions may be retained by contributing authors.