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Undergraduate Teaching Assistantships

Every semester the Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies seeks energetic, detail-oriented, creative, dedicated film students with excellent communication skills for Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship positions.

Undergraduate teaching assistants gain instructional experience under the supervision of our faculty. When serving as Undergraduate TAs, students can normally earn between 1 and 3 credits per TAed course. These credits will count towards the total number of credits needed for graduation but may not fulfill any requirement of the Film Certificate or the Film Major through BDIC. Undergraduate TAs need to sign a contract in which duties and expectations are outlined, and enroll in Film-St 398T.

Responsibilities: TAs will come to class, offer feedback, moderate discussions, and tutor students. The necessary qualifications to serve as an undergraduate TA will vary (please see descriptions below). Undegraduate TAs serving as graders or needing access to Moodle will be required to obtain FERPA certification. The necessary training can be easily and conveniently completed online.

How to Apply: Apply for the following available TAships by contacting directly the professor listed in each position below.

 


SPRING 2024:

 
FILM-ST 386-01 – SPAN 386-01 Latin American Cinema (SPRING 2024)
Contact: Eva Álvarez-Vázquez ealvarezvazq@umass.edu
TAships available: one.
This course is an introduction to the rich and diverse cinemas of Latin America. We will explore the historical, cultural, and political contexts in which these films were produced, and analyze how they reflect and shape the social and political realities of their respective countries. Through screenings, readings, and discussions, we will examine the unique aesthetic and narrative strategies employed by Latin American filmmakers and consider the ways in which they challenge dominant cinematic conventions. The course will trace the emergence of cinema in Latin America in the early 20th century, by exploring the ways in which film was used as a tool for propaganda, education, and nation-building. It will examine the various movements and genres that have emerged throughout Latin America’s cinematic history, including the New Latin American Cinema, the Third Cinema, and the contemporary Latin American film industry. Through the analysis of key films, we will consider how these movements have engaged with questions of identity, history, memory, and social justice.
Responsibilities: The TA will tutor students in Film Editing.
Pre-requisites: 1) being a Film Studies Certificate Student, or a Film Major through BDIC, 2) a GPA in Film of 3.5 or higher
Application materials: 1) a paragraph explaining why you are interested in TAing for this class and how does this position relate to your interests and goals, 2) current résumé.
Times you must be available: at your convenience.
Hours per week: 9 hours / week.
Credits received: 3 credits in FILM-ST 386 (Pass / Fail)
Applications due on February 29, 2024.

 




ARCHIVE of FORMER POSTS:


FILM 697FF SPAN697FF Gender, Film, Theory & Practice
Professor Barbara Zecchi

This is a practice-based-research course that develops a close examination of feminist film theory and its evolution from the seminal works of the 70s to contemporary postfeminist approaches, in the context of Iberian women’s audiovisual practice. It puts into dialogue texts that shaped feminist film theory with films directed by award winning Iberian female identifying filmmakers.  Students will acquire an excellent knowledge of feminist film theory, and will become familiar with female authored cinema in Spain.They will also develop skills in audiovisual close analysis, and will have an opportunity to produce their own research-based feminist interventions through an intersectional approach. Moreover, students will be invited to write film reviews, and collaborate with the Gynocine Project.

Responsibilities: The TA will tutor students in Film Editing.
Pre-requisites: 1) being a Film Studies Certificate Student, or a Film Major through BDIC, 2) a GPA in Film of 3.5 or higher
Application materials: 1) a paragraph explaining why you are interested in TAing for this class and how does this position relate to your interests and goals, 2) current résumé.
Times you must be available: at your convenience.
Hours per week: 9 hours / week.
Credits received: 3 credits in FILM-ST 398T (Pass / Fail)

 


FILM-ST /Frenchst  284 The Undead Souths (SPRING 2022) 

Contact: Professor Patrick Mensah, pmensah@umass.edu
TAships available: two.

Responsibilities: The TA will come to class, offer feedback, help organize discussions, tutor students, and help the professor in grading papers if needed.
Pre-requisites: Pre-requisites: being a Film Studies Certificate Student, or a Film Major through BDIC, with a GPA in Film of 3.5 or higher,  —or Instructor's consent.
Application materials: 1) a paragraph explaining why you are interested in TAing for this class and how this position relates to your interests and goals, 2) your GPA in Film Studies, current résumé.
Times you must be available: Tuesdays/Thursdays 10:00-11:15AM, 1 additional hour at the TAs convenience every other week.
Hours per week: 9 hours / week.
Credits received: 3 credits in FILM-ST 398T (Pass / Fail)
Applications due on January 10, 2022.


FILM-ST 493L-01 - Experimental Film and Video (FALL 2021)

Contact: Kevin Anderson, kta@umass.edu
TAships available: one.

Responsibilities: The TA will come to class, offer feedback, moderate discussions, and tutor students.
Pre-requisites: 1) being a Film Studies Certificate Student, or a Film Major through BDIC, 2) a GPA in Film of 3.5 or higher, 3) a grade of A or A- in Film-St 397V.
Application materials: 1) a paragraph explaining why you are interested in TAing for this class and how does this position relate to your interests and goals, 2) your GPA in Film Studies and grade in Film-St 397V, 3) current résumé.
Times you must be available: Thursdays 2:30–5:30 PM (class time), 1 additional hour at the TAs convenience every other week.
Hours per week: 9 hours / week.
Credits received: 3 credits in FILM-ST 398T (Pass / Fail)


FILM-ST 397VL - Visiting Filmmaker Series: 16mm FILMMAKING AND TECHNOLOGY (FALL 2021)

Contact: David Bendiksen, dbendiks@umass.edu
TAships available: 1
Responsibilities: The TA will attend class, moderate discussions, assist students with equipment and editing in and out of class, and assist with film development/projection/digitalization.
Pre-requisites: 1) Preferably a Film Studies Certificate Student, Art Major, or a Film Major through BDIC, 2) GPA in Film of 3.5 or higher, 3) Experience with photography/cinematography and digital editing proficiency, and a readiness to work with analog film
Application materials: 1) a paragraph explaining why you are interested in TAing for this class, and how does this position relate to your interests and goals, 2) your GPA in Film Studies, 3) current résumé.
Times you must be available: Thursdays 4:00-6:30 (class time); Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:00 and from 6:30 to 7:00 to help instructor for class preparation material; 2 additional hours at the TA’s convenience each week
Hours per week: 9 hours / week.
Credits received: 3 credits in FILM-ST 398T (Pass / Fail)


ART 231 Photography 2 (Spring 2021)

Contact: Professor Susan Jahoda sej@umass.edu
TAships available: 1

Responsibilities: The TA will come to class, offer feedback, consult with faculty on technical questions and participate in discussions.
Pre-requisites: 1) being a Film Studies Certificate Student, an Art Major or a Film Major through BDIC, 2) Have experience in Digital Photography, especially PhotoShop.
Application materials: 1) a paragraph explaining why you are interested in TAing for this class and how does this position relate to your interests and goals.
Times you must be available: Monday/Wednesday 1:25-4:10 PM. Two additional hours for technical support for students needing extra help
Hours per week: 8 hours / week.
Credits received: 3 credits in Film-St 398T (Pass / Fail)

 


FILM-ST 397V-01 - Latin American Cinema (SPRING 2021)

Contact: Professor Barbara Zecchi, bzecchi@umass.edu
TAships available: two.

Responsibilities: The TA will come to class, offer feedback, moderate discussions, and tutor students.
Pre-requisites: 1) being a Film Studies Certificate Student, or a Film Major through BDIC, 2) a GPA in Film of 3.5 or higher, 3) a grade of A or A- in Film-St 397V.
Application materials: 1) a paragraph explaining why you are interested in TAing for this class and how does this position relate to your interests and goals, 2) your GPA in Film Studies and grade in Film-St 397V, 3) current résumé.
Times you must be available: Monday 4:00-6:30 PM, 1 additional hour at the TAs convenience every other week.
Hours per week: 9 hours / week.
Credits received: 3 credits in FILM-ST 398T (Pass / Fail)

Applications due on December 15, 2020.


FILM-ST /Frenchst 284 The Undead Souths (SPRING 2021)

Contact: Professor Patrick Mensah, pmensah@umass.edu
TAships available: two.

Responsibilities: The TA will come to class, offer feedback, help organize discussions, tutor students, and help the professor in grading papers if needed.
Pre-requisites: 1) being a Film Studies Certificate Student, or a Film Major through BDIC, 2) a GPA in Film of 3.5 or higher
Application materials: 1) a paragraph explaining why you are interested in TAing for this class and how this position relates to your interests and goals, 2) your GPA in Film Studies, current résumé.
Times you must be available: Tuesdays/Thursdays 10:00-11:15AM, 1 additional hour at the TAs convenience every other week.
Hours per week: 9 hours / week.
Credits received: 3 credits in FILM-ST 398T (Pass / Fail)

Applications due on December 15, 2020.


FILM-ST 497P: Film Podcasting (SPRING 2021)

Contact: Professor Daniel Pope, daniel@umass.edu
TAships available: 1

Responsibilities: The TA will attend the first half of each class, lead group discussions, provide tutoring on techniques and problem-solving for recording and editing audio and publishing podcasts.
Pre-requisites: 1) Must be a Film Studies Certificate Student, or a Film Major through BDIC, 2) Experience in podcasting and audio recording, editing, and enhancement, 3) GPA in Film of 3.5 or higher.
Application materials: 1) a paragraph explaining why you are interested in TAing for this class and how this position relates to your interests and goals, 2) your GPA in Film Studies, 3) current résumé.
Times you must be available: Tuesdays 4:00-5:30PM, 2 additional hours at the TA’s convenience each week.
Hours per week: 9 hours / week, including pre-class prep.
Credits received: 3 credits in FILM-ST 398T (Pass / Fail)

Applications due on December 30, 2020.


FILM-ST Horror Cinema (SPRING 2020)

Contact: Professor Barry Spence

Responsibilities: Assist with running an international horror course during the Spring 2020 semester. Research horror subgenres across the globe. Help with planning assignments and course readings. Assist in running the weekly discussion section, including covering teaching the section during the instructor's absence.