Open Faculty and TA Positions

Semester:  Spring 2024 (2 sections)
Deadline: Applications reviewed on rolling basis when submitted.
Stipend: $4,500 for one section, $9,000 for both sections in a semester 

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SUMMARY:
The Boston College International Studies Program seeks a Teaching Assistant for the undergraduate course "Ethics, Religion and International Politics" in Spring 2024. This course is required for majors in the International Studies Program, but seats are also reserved for students in the Theology and Philosophy Departments. Two sections of the course are taught by a single professor each semester; each section has 25 students for a total of 50 students. Each section meets twice per week in lecture format, and splits in half once per week for a total of four discussion groups.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The TA's responsibilities involve attending lectures, leading the discussion groups, helping the professor with grading, and assisting with the Canvas course site. Ideally the TA in each semester will cover both sections and all four discussion groups, in which case the stipend will be $9,000 for the semester. (A TA who covers only one section and two discussion groups would receive $4,500.)

• Prof. Nelly Wamaitha teaches the course in Spring 2024. The lecture sections will meet TuTh 9:00-10:15am and TuTh 1:30-2:45pm; the four 50-minute discussion sections (to be led by the TA) are expected to meet Thursdays at 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6pm. 
   

COURSE ABSTRACT:
"Ethics, Religion and International Politics" (ERIP) examines diverse religious and secular models for ethical analysis of contemporary international affairs, as well as specific areas of international politics where ethical questions are likely to arise, including sovereignty, international tribunals, peacemaking, human rights, economic justice, environmental justice, and the use of force in war or humanitarian interventions. Special attention is given to theological perspectives and religious actors.

Students will critically examine and challenge ideas at work in the world of international politics. This requires an understanding of the contexts in which those ideas took hold, and in which they are employed today (hence the case studies). But it also requires normative engagement: are the actions and ideas we discuss right, wrong, or something else? Do they square with your reasoned judgment, received wisdom, and/or theological interpretation? We will not be mere spectators of the world’s moral complexity, but rather participants in it.

REQUIREMENTS:
We welcome applicants who are current graduate students or have recently completed a masters or doctoral program in a related field. We typically hire advanced doctoral students in ethics, theology, religious studies, philosophy, or international relations, but we have also hired masters students in these and other fields. Applicants need not be Boston College graduate students to apply. 

We are looking for candidates who are eager to jump into a thriving interdisciplinary environment, who love working with undergraduates, and who have worked as a TA or Teaching Fellow previously. Additional desired qualifications include foreign language skills, and global work or study experience.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please send a cover letter and CV to Prof. Nelly Wamaitha (nelly.wamaitha@bc.edu).