Skip to main content

Instructional Assistant and Grading Assistant Positions for 2019/20

Instructional Assistant (IA) Positions

Subject to final budgetary approval, the Department of Political Science invites applications for IAs during the 2019/20 academic year. The exact number of positions will be determined when final enrolment numbers are available (mid- to late July). The number of winter term contracts issued depends upon a combination of the enrolment levels in the winter term and the performance of the IAs in the fall term.

Position Overview

IAs will be required to undertake the following tasks:

  • Prepare for and run weekly tutorials/labs;
  • Mark assignments, tests and exams in a timely manner and as instructed;
  • Attend meetings with the instructors;
  • Hold office hours; and
  • Respond to emails from students in their tutorials.

The total weekly commitment is likely to be from eight to 10 hours, with the exact number depending on the tasks assigned to the IA. Applicants should note that there will be approximately four to five peak periods throughout each term for marking assignments and/or exams, during which the required number of hours to be worked will increase. IA contracts most typically cover a maximum of 120 hours per term.

In addition to the above commitments, IAs must attend training sessions which will be scheduled during Orientation Week and possibly again throughout the term.

Courses Available

Note: The courses available are subject to change.

  • PO101(1): Politics Within Borders
  • PO102(2): Politics Beyond Borders
  • PO217(1): Asking Questions in Political Science: An Introduction to Research 
  • PO218(2): Answering Questions in Political Science: Research in Practice 

Position Requirements

Academic Qualifications

PO101 and PO102: Applicants should be fourth-year Honours Political Science or Honours Political Science with Research Specialization students as of September 2019 whose current Political Science and overall GPAs are, ideally, no less than 9.50 each.

PO217 and PO218: Applicants should be fourth-year honours Political Science or honours Political Science with Research Specialization students as of September 2019 whose current Political Science and overall GPAs are, ideally, no less than 9.50 each, and have completed both PO217 and PO218 with a grade of A- or higher.

Other Qualifications

Applicants should:

  • Possess exemplary communications skills (clear, articulate speakers), with strong interpersonal skills (friendly, approachable, able to create a positive rapport with students, etc.);
  • Possess strong time management skills, and be able to handle their own academic workload and the additional IA tasks;
  • Possess discerning, critical reading skills;
  • Be able to write clearly and argumentatively, with a solid understanding of the basics of syntax, punctuation and grammar;
  • Be capable of unbiased evaluation;
  • Exhibit a high level of professionalism, exercising discretion and the utmost confidentiality.

Compensation

$21.70 per hour, plus 4% in lieu of vacation pay; 120 hours for the term.

Applications and Due Dates

Applicants should send a cover letter, including a statement about the his/her suitability for the position and what s/he can bring to the course, a resume, and the names of two academic references. Note that references from faculty members who can speak to your writing ability and participation in class would be preferred.

Official transcripts are not required as the department has access to, and will refer to, academic records.

Complete applications should be mailed or delivered to (email submissions will not be accepted):

Sherry Palmer, Department of Political Science
Room 4-120, Dr. Alvin Woods Building
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, ON, N2L 3C5

The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, May 17, 2019. 

Grading Assistant (GA) Positions

Subject to final budgetary approval, the Department of Political Science invites applications for GAs during the 2019/20 academic year. The exact number of positions will be determined when enrolment numbers are available (mid- to late July). The number of winter term contracts issued depends upon a combination of the enrolment levels in the winter term and the performance of the graders in the fall term.

Position Overview

GAs may be required to undertake the following tasks:

  • Attend meetings with the instructors;
  • Mark assignments, tests and exams in a timely manner and as instructed;
  • Hold office hours; and
  • Respond to emails from students in the class to which they are assigned.

The total weekly commitment will vary, depending on the tasks assigned to the GA. Applicants should note that there will be approximately four to five peak periods throughout each term for marking assignments and/or exams. GAs will need to check dates in the course outline and discuss with the instructor his/her grading requirements for each assignment/test/exam in the course.

In addition to the above commitments, GAs must attend training sessions which will be scheduled during Orientation Week and possibly again throughout the term.

Courses Available

Note: The courses available are subject to change.

200-level courses (to be determined as enrolment numbers become available).

Position Requirements

Academic Qualifications

Applicants should be fourth-year Honours Political Science or Honours Political Science with Research Specialization students as of September, 2019 whose current Political Science and overall GPAs are, ideally, no less than 9.50 each. Ideally, GAs will have completed the course to which they are assigned with a grade of no less than an A-.

Other Qualifications

Applicants should:

  • Possess exemplary communications skills (clear, articulate speakers), with strong interpersonal skills (friendly, approachable, able to create a positive rapport with students, etc.);
  • Possess strong time management skills, and be able to handle their own academic workload and the additional IA tasks;
  • Possess discerning, critical reading skills;
  • Be able to write clearly and argumentatively, with a solid understanding of the basics of syntax, punctuation and grammar;
  • Be capable of unbiased evaluation;
  • Exhibit a high level of professionalism, exercising discretion and the utmost confidentiality.

Compensation

$21.70 per hour, plus 4% in lieu of vacation pay; total number of hours estimated from 40-60, depending on the needs of the instructor.

Applications and Due Dates

Applicants should send a cover letter, including a statement about the his/her suitability for the position and what s/he can bring to the course, a resume, and the names of two academic references. Note that references from faculty members who can speak to your writing ability and participation in class would be preferred.

Official transcripts are not required as the department has access to, and will refer to, academic records.

Complete applications should be mailed or delivered to (email submissions will not be accepted):

Sherry Palmer, Department of Political Science
Room 4-120, Dr. Alvin Woods Building
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, ON, N2L 3C5

The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, May 17, 2019.