About
The
Job.
Department of History
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Teaching Assistant
in American History
About
The
Job.
Pursue the extraordinary
Overview
About the Department
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Sheffield is one of the leading
centres for research in the arts and humanities in the UK.
The University of Sheffield is a
member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities and is currently ranked 8th in
the UK in the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities.
The 2008
Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) ranked the University 5th in the UK in terms of the
number of subject areas with 50% or more of their research judged to be ‘world-leading’
(4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*). The performance by the Arts and Humanities in
RAE 2008 was particularly impressive with 9 out of our 10 subject areas having 50%+ of their
research in the 4* and 3* categories.
We have an international reputation for its high-quality and innovative learning and
teaching, delivered by staff who are both committed to providing an outstanding student
experience and who are at the cutting edge of research in their own disciplines.
The University of Sheffield has been awarded the Times Higher Education University of the
Year for 2011, and Arts and Humanities is a major contributor to this success.
The Faculty comprises the following departments:
 Archaeology
 Biblical Studies
 History
 School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics
 School of Languages and Culture
 Music
 Philosophy
Six of the seven units are located in the Jessop quarter of the university campus, adjacent
to the award-winning Humanities Research Institute.
The Faculty has its own
governance structures and is one of the five faculties of the university.
The Department of History is one of the major History departments in the UK, with a
total of over 40 staff in all categories. It is committed to achieving and sustaining
excellence in its research and teaching, and its planning is directed to this end. It was
rated 5 in the 1996 and the 2001 Research Assessment Exercises and in the 2008 exercise
we were in tenth position nationally ranked by the proportion of our research judged
'world-leading': 35% of our research was judged to be in this category (4*), and 30% to
be internationally excellent (3*). In 2004 the Independent Evaluation of Teaching
confirmed that the Department provides an excellent quality of education, informed by a
high standard of research, imaginative thinking about the curriculum, and innovative
methods of delivery. The Department has a particular expertise in the application of IT to
research and teaching in the Humanities and has recently had a highly successful
periodic policy and guidance review of its teaching provision.
At undergraduate level the Department offers a wide range of degree courses in the
Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences.
In the Faculty of Arts
and Humanities there is a single honours degree in History and dual degrees with
Archaeology, English, Modern Languages, and Philosophy. In Social Sciences there are
dual degree programmes with Politics and Sociological Studies. MA programmes are
offered in Historical Research, Medieval, Early Modern, Modern and International History
and the Department participates in interdisciplinary programmes within the Faculty.
Descriptions of all our degree programmes, and full information about the Department,
its
staff,
and
taught
modules,
can
be
found
on
our
website:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/history/.
Job Role
As a Teaching Assistant in American History you will be expected to contribute to
predetermined teaching and related administration.
You will also be welcome to
contribute to the research culture and environment of the Department. There is a strong
range of individual and collaborative research in American history; those working in this
field include Dr Simon Middleton, Dr Andrew Heath, and Dr Caroline Dodds Pennock.
Initiatives in collaborative history include the Centre for Peace History and the Centre for
Democratic Cultures.
Job Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will contribute to teaching and administration in the Department
as follows:

Deliver predetermined activities to support teaching staff by undertaking delivery of
seminars, tutorials, and other small group work to develop student skills, under
supervision or in liaison with senior colleagues.

Carry out related marking; with supervision from senior colleagues where appropriate.

Provide guidance on the preparation of assignments.

Provide support to undergraduate projects.

Assist with course evaluation, including facilitating student feedback, reflecting on own
teaching delivery; and implementing ideas for improving own performance.

Liaise with senior colleagues regarding contributions to module development, planning
of teaching and monitoring student progress.

Keep abreast of current literature in the subject areas being taught.

Carry out administrative duties relating to the delivery of teaching support as assigned
by the Head of Department.

Deal with reactive requests such as those relating to teaching support, student support
and administrative tasks, on a daily basis.

Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.
You will assist in the delivery of classes/tutorials within an established programme of
study, based on defined objectives and student need, specifically:

Delivering predetermined teaching on the level 2 module HST 201 International History
of the State.

Delivering predetermined teaching on American history modules as required

Delivering predetermined teaching on level 1 modules, HST 118 and HST 117
Additional duties may include contributions to the following:

Contributing to other taught modules as required with appropriate supervision from
senior colleagues.
Person Specification
Applicants should provide evidence in their applications that they meet the following
criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure candidates’ abilities in these
areas including reviewing your on-line application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted
candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post.
Criteria
Essential Desirable
Qualifications and experience
1.
Have a good honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent
X
experience).
2.
Have completed or submitted a PhD, in a relevant subject (or
X
equivalent experience).
3.
Proven teaching ability at undergraduate level, ideally with a
X
teaching qualification.
4.
Proven teaching ability at postgraduate level.
5.
Willingness and ability to collaborate with colleagues in teaching
X
X
and administration.
6.
Experience in the planning and delivery of history modules at
X
the undergraduate level.
Communication skills
7.
Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills
X
in oral and written form.
8.
Experience of adapting teaching style to work effectively with
X
both small and large groups.
Team working
9.
Ability to work as an effective member of a team, to support the
X
work of colleagues, and to teach as part of a team.
Personal effectiveness
10.
Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances.
X
11.
Proven ability to work to and meet deadlines.
X
Further Information
This post is open ended and has a start date of 1 September 2013.
This post is part-time: 10.5 hours per week, undertaken over 44 weeks of the year.
Benefits
Terms and conditions of employment: Will be those for Grade 6 staff.
Salary for this grade: £24,049 to £30,424 per annum pro-rata.
More details on salaries, terms and conditions and our wide range of benefits for staff are
available at www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/reward/structures
Closing date:
Informal enquiries:
For all on-line application system queries and support, contact:
e-Recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk .
For informal enquiries about this job and department, contact:
Selection-Next Step
Following the closing date, you will be informed by email whether or not you have been
shortlisted to be invited to participate in the next stage of the selection process. Please note
that due to the large number of applications that we receive, it may take up to two working
weeks following the closing date before the recruiting department will be able to contact
you.
The University of Sheffield is committed to achieving excellence through inclusion.
The University of Sheffield is proud to be a Two Ticks employer
www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/equality/support/twoticks/
rsue the extraordinary