Iowa State University • Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching • www.celt.iastate.edu
Iowa State University

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching

Gr St 585 Course Syllabus

Graduate Studies 585:
Preparing Future Faculty Introductory Seminar

Gr St 585 is a 1-credit seminar, consisting of 8 two-hour classes, which primarily overviews academic life at various institutions of higher education. Please keep this time slot available for seminars that must be rescheduled to accommodate weather or speaker illness.

Session One Introduction
Session Two Inter-institutional Panel: What is faculty life like? The balance of research, teaching, service, and personal life *
Session Three Inter-institutional Panel: Hiring new faculty – What do deans and chairs look for? *
Session Four New Faculty Panel: How I got started/What I wish I had known *
Session Five Inter-institutional Panel: Promotion and tenure – Balancing teaching, research, and service *
Session Six Oops: Setbacks, perseverance and delayed success *
Session Seven Choices: Coming back to academia *
Session Eight What’s next?

Attendance: You must attend all eight sessions to get an S for the seminar. If you have a conflict with a particular date, with written permission from the instructor you may substitute a CELT program or another relevant event (Some CELT programs or other events may not be eligible).

Assignments: In order to receive an S for the seminar, you must complete 9 one-page typed responses. Because my vision is degrading so rapidly, please prepare all documents in Times New Roman 12 point font. This is the most widely used font, and the consistency will help me process your documents in spite of the blurring from my bad eyes. Assignments are due the class period following the relevant presentation. Please bring hard copies to class AND submit your work by email to Karen (melig@mail.adp.iastate.edu; use ONLY this email address:

  • One per each marked (*) class topic, due by the evening of your next seminar (for a list of suggested journal prompts, see page 14 of your PFF manual).
  • Two one-page responses on your mentoring experiences; the first one is due by midterm, the second by 5 p.m. Monday of dead week.
  • One response summarizing your semester PFF experience due by 5 p.m. Monday of dead week.

Special needs: Please address any special needs or special accommodations with me at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become aware. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) from the Disability Resources (DR) office (515-294-6624). DR is located in Room 1076 of the Student Services Building.

Learning Objectives: Students will learn what faculty life is like at various kinds of higher education institutions. In particular, students will learn more about the hiring process, tenure and promotion, and the balance of research, teaching, service, and personal life at different kinds of school.