Admission requirements
Admission to the Research Master Archaeology programme.
Description
The Research Master (RMA) is a first step toward an academic career. In addition to research skills, academic positions also require teaching experience. Teaching Assistance 1 &2 offers you the opportunity to gain practical teaching skills by assisting in a BA1-level course.
Teaching Assistances (TAs) are typically involved in both the lecture and tutorial components of a course.
Attend the weekly lectures
Read and prepare the assigned literature
Run one or 2 tutorial groups per week (approximately 20 students per group)
Help students navigate Brightspace and the course structure (e.g. responding practical questions) and in the university
Prepare and/or proofread assignments and quizzes,
Assess the quality of the assignments (but not grading, see below)
Deliver short presentations
Coach students on reading strategies and interpreting academic text
Support students in applying the Faculty Guidelines and the reference style APA
Provide study tips and help students prepare for exams.
RMA students can register via Brightspace for courses to do the TA. While first year RMA students are welcome in block 1, but due to the admission timeline of the RMA, Block 2 is more realistic. Enrollment for block 1 opens in June and is intended primarily for February Starters and second-year RMA students.
Course objectives
Teaching Assistance 1 are expected to achieve at least 3 of the following learning outcomes:
Teaching Assistance 2 are expected to achieve at least 5 of the following learning outcomes:
Coach BA1 students in a constructive and supportive manner, helping them adjust to a new academic environment
Provide clear written and oral feedback on discussions, presentations, and assignments
Guide students in academic writing, presentation, and discussion according to Faculty Guidelines (e.g. correct APA citation, structure)
Assess the assignments according to a formative protocol (pass/fail)
Collaborate effectively with fellow teaching assistants and course instructors
Use Brightspace competently as a teaching tool, including posting feedback, communicating clearly
Improve your own teaching and communication skills through practical, hands-on experience
Develop an awareness of different learning styles and how to support diverse student needs
Reflect on your role as a teacher and your contribution to student learning in a higher education setting
Course set-up
There is a general meeting at the start of the semester covering social aspects of teaching for a group. This workshop Tutor Training workshop is run by Students Support Services. While first year RMA students are welcome on 28 August (10:00-12:00) and 2 September (13:00-15:00), due to the admission timeline, we will organize a later meeting in October for first year RMA students. The mentor/tutor coordinator coordinates the registration. Meetings are not listed in Mytimetable, see the Announcements in Brightspace.
Each block includes a TA coordination meeting, led by the course coordinator. Experienced RMA students are welcome to present their presentation and new RMA students are welcome to attend. Meetings are not listed in MyTimeTable. The Education Officers will be available for support as well.
TAs are expected to commit to a course for one block (7 weeks) (e.g. World Archaeology 1.1 & 1.2). Most BA1 courses assign 2 or 3 TAs per course.
Occasionally, TAs may assist in select BA2 courses (e.g. Designing Archaeological Research), though this is exceptional. You may assist in only one BA2 course, not two.
A small number of practical courses (e.g. Material Studies 1) may accept TAs, but only after all priority BA1 courses have been filled. You may assist in only one practical, not two.
TAs are not permitted to assist in MA-level courses.
TAs are encouraged to give feedback on assignments, to assess the quality of assignments according to a formative protocol (pass/fail), but are not permitted to grade essays or others written assignments.
TAs are not involved in the examination.
Timetable
Course schedule details can be found in MyTimetable.
Log in with your ULCN account, and add this course using the 'Add timetable' button.
Mode of instruction
See course set-up.
Assessment method
Participation in Teaching Assistance 1 & 2 is based on active engagement and the successful completion of key components. Please note that you cannot pass this course if you fail to meet the core responsibilities.
In addition to your teaching duties, you are required to complete the following:
1. Short Presentation (Pass/Fail)
You will deliver a brief presentation (approximately 10 minutes or 5 slides), either individually or in collaboration with fellow TAs. Submit it in Brightspace.
If you complete your TA role in Block 1, your presentation will typically take place in Block 2 during the TA Coordination Meeting.
2. Reflection Report (Pass/Fail)
You must submit a reflection report using the template provided on Brightspace. either individually or in collaboration with fellow TAs.
3. Student Evaluation (Not Graded)
Your performance as a TA will be evaluated by the students you teach. While this does not influence your grade, it offers valuable feedback for your development as a future educator.
Assessment deadline
The report needs to be submitted through Brightspace within three weeks after the last tutorial.
Reading list
Not applicable.
Registration
Students are required to register themselves for all components of a course, including lectures, tutorials, practicals, exams, and resits through MyStudymap. This applies to both compulsory elements and elective credits. If you are not enrolled, you may not participate.
General information about registration can be found on the [Course and exam enrolment] (https://www.student.universiteitleiden.nl/en/your-study-programme/courses-and-exams/enrolment/archaeology/archaeology-ba?cf=archaeology&cd=archaeology-ma-msc#tab-2) page.
Contact
For more information about this course, please contact dr. R.M.R. (Roos) van Oosten.
Remarks
Compulsory attendance;
Tutorials may be conducted in either English or Dutch, depending on the group. Dutch-speaking students are preferred for the Dutch groups.
To be registered as a TA in your Brightspace course (e.g. Past & Future) you must have a TA email address. Please check Brightspace module for details and send a mail to Marjet de Ruyter.