Teaching Assistant

Course: SOC 3380 - Urban Inequality     
Level: Writing in the Majors Seminar; aimed at upperclassmen
Semester & Enrollment: Spring 2024 - 18; Fall 2024 - 16

Responsibilities: Each week, I attended class and supported small-group discussions and writing exercises; I also hosted two office hour sessions and frequently met with students outside of those allotted times to better meet their schedule needs. I co-led an in-class writing workshop and supported a research workshop. I worked with the professor to revise grading frameworks for early assignments and formalized a grading framework for the final research paper. I graded and provided feedback on all early papers. For the final project, the professor and I split up the students so that she would work with and provide feedback to 6 students, and I would have 10, allowing us to provide more detailed and personalized attention to the students’ development of a formal research paper. I met regularly with the professor and supported her efforts to address student concerns, foster a supportive environment, and accommodate students as necessary.

Examples of Student Evaluation Comments: 

“As a bio major who has never taken a sociology course, I was surprised by how much I liked this course - the material was interesting, but the course was exceptionally well-taught by both Dr. Bischoff and Lili. I really felt a sense of community in the class, and we talked about a lot of really difficult topics - nonetheless, we were able to have some really informative and interesting conversations, especially when people had conflicting viewpoints… Overall, I am really glad I took this class, and I am super grateful to have had such amazing instructors!”

“When I think of my favorite course this semester, there is no competition. It was certainly Urban Inequality!!...TA Lili was absolutely amazing. She was extremely helpful in office hours, providing detailed assignment feedback (this was MUCH APPRECIATED!!), and answering any questions I had with a lovely, welcoming attitude. I feel very lucky to have taken a course taught by two extremely smart, strong, knowledgeable women, and I felt they really cared about me as both a student and person. Would recommend to any student interested in any aspect of urban inequality. This is a class I will look back on fondly for the rest of my time here.”

“Lili was sweet, direct, helpful, and highly responsive. I really appreciated her direction and contributions as a TA. Her feedback was specific and critically constructive without being harsh.” 

Course: SOC 4120 - Health and Social Context   
Level: Writing in the Majors Seminar; aimed at upperclassmen
Semester & Enrollment: Fall 2023 - 13

Responsibilities: Each week, I read, graded, and responded to students’ reading memos (~500 words) on Canvas before class, and wrote up a summary of the responses for the professor to help guide that class’s discussion. I also met with the professor each week to talk through upcoming lesson plans, bring up any student concerns, and provide feedback on previous classes (a specific request from the professor, as she had limited experience in teaching). I co-led a workshop on data management and working with Stata, designed and led an in-class workshop on developing a literature review, and created all materials for the peer review exercise of the final paper draft. I was the lead grader for all coursework (which included developing grading frameworks for each assignment, providing individual summaries of student work for the professor, submitting grades, and providing written feedback to students). I hosted weekly office hours and made myself available at other times to adapt to students’ schedules and I attended each class session. 

Examples of Student Evaluation Comments: N/A as the lead instructor did not solicit TA-specific feedback

Course: PHIL 2990 - Foundations of Law and Society
Level: Primarily sophomores and juniors; required course for the Law and Society minor
Semester & Enrollment: Fall 2022 - 40; Spring 2022 - 30

Responsibilities: I served as the TA for the Sociology module of an interdisciplinary course. The module lasted three weeks, during which time I attended the class sessions, served as the lead grader (which included developing grading frameworks for each assignment, providing individual summaries of student work for the professor, submitting grades, and providing written feedback to students), and held biweekly office hours. I also designed a lesson plan for one class in the module and taught that session, with the support of the professor. Prior to the start of the module, I met with the professor to support the creation of the Canvas site and plan for the weekly lessons; I continued to meet with her regularly throughout the module to discuss student progress and address any student concerns. 

Examples of Student Evaluation Comments: N/A – given that this course had four distinct TAs (one for each module), no evaluations were provided to us for our specific work.