GSI – MIDEAST 340 (Winter 2022)

How to Apply

Graduate Student Instructor positions are only open to current or matriculating University of Michigan graduate students. Complete the application process on careers.umich.edu and then go to the following link to fill out an application: webapps.lsa.umich.edu/Apply/1505. A complete application includes this online form (which asks for basic academic and professional information on the applicant, a resume, and an unofficial copy of the applicant’s transcript).

Questions may be directed to [email protected].

Course Description

Students who apply to this posting will be considered for up to two 35% GSI positions in MIDEAST 340: From Genghis Khan to the Taliban: Modern Central Asia. More information about the course can be found on the LSA Course Guide (lsa.umich.edu/cg).

MIDEAST 340: From Genghis Khan to the Taliban: Modern Central Asia

More than 500 years ago, the Silk Road famously connected traders from all over the world, linking the major cities of China and Southeast Asia with those of Europe and Africa. Vast wealth traveled this route, wending across the mountains and steppes of Central Asia, creating rich and sophisticated towns along the way. Bukhara and Samarkand became two of the world’s greatest cities, enviable centers of learning and culture.

How did Central Asia go from being the most cosmopolitan place on earth to an area now seen as one of the most isolated, remote places in the world?

How did a region where a dizzying array of cultures had long intermingled and coexisted peacefully become a place associated (at least in Western eyes) with intolerance and terrorism?

This course tries to answer such questions by providing an overview of modern Central Asian history. Using both lecture and discussion, it focuses on the colonial and post-colonial periods of the last 300 years: especially in Russian and Soviet Central Asia, but also the neighboring areas dominated by Britain and China (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Xinjiang). It offers a strong emphasis on the links and connections across these political borders, which were at first largely artificial and porous but which became crucially important and shaped local communities in deeply divergent ways. It also emphasizes social and cultural history, as a complement and counterweight to the usual political frameworks and classic grand narratives of khans, revolutions, and wars. Three themes structure the course:

the fragmented, changing character of regional identities;

the complexities of popular attitudes towards, and relations with, various forms of state power; and

the differences between — and the complicated economic, environmental, political, artistic, and cultural legacies of — the major imperial systems (Russian, British, Chinese).

Students will be evaluated on their class contributions as well as written work (short essays and class exercises) and two exams.

Responsibilities*

Attending lecture; leading two discussion sections a week; grading all assignments; creating and implementing teaching plans in consultation with the lead instructor of the course, as part of pedagogy training certified by enrollment in a section of History 811; preparing for, and attending, regular meetings with the lead instructor; assisting with the assessment of students during final term grading; holding a minimum of two office hours each week. GSIs are expected to prepare for the course before the semester begins, and to complete final wrap-up work at the end of term.

Students who have not previously been a GSI for the College of LSA will be required to attend the CRLT GSI Teaching Orientation.

Required Qualifications*

Previous coursework in History or Middle East Studies. Students whose undergraduate degree is from an institution where the language of instruction is not English must have already taken or be currently enrolled in the English Language Institute’s ELI 994. The student must have a passing score of 4 on the Oral English Test (OET).

Desired Qualifications*

Undergraduate degree in Middle East/Near Eastern Studies, History, Education, or a related discipline relevant to the course content/subject matter. Enrollment in a graduate program focused on Archaeology or Middle East studies. Previous experience in higher education instruction, especially in regard to student writing.

Contact Information

Questions may be directed to [email protected].

Decision Making Process

All applications will be forwarded to the primary instructor of MIDEAST 340. The instructor will make a hiring recommendation to the department and a department administrator will then authorize the appointment paperwork.

Selection Process

All applications will be forwarded to the primary instructor of MIDEAST 340. The instructor will make a hiring recommendation to the department and a department administrator will then authorize the appointment paperwork.

GEO Contract Information

The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://oie.umich.edu/ and for the University Ombuds at https://ombuds.umich.edu/

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.

This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees’ Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.

Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at https://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations are now required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all three campuses, including Michigan Medicine. This includes those working or learning remotely. More information on this policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the U-M Dearborn and U-M Flint websites.

Job Opening ID

207194

Working Title

GSI – MIDEAST 340 (Winter 2022)

Job Title

GRAD STU INSTR

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Full/Part Time

Part-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

College Of Lsa

Department

LSA Middle East Studies

Posting Begin/End Date

11/09/2021 – 11/23/2021

Career Interest

Graduate Students

Graduate Student Instructors (GEO)