St. John’s University, Queens NY – 2 year Debate Assistantship (Fall 2016 – Spring 2018)

St. John’s University, Queens NY – 2 year Debate Assistantship (Fall 2016 – Spring 2018)

St. John’s University Debate Society seeks a graduate assistant debate instructor. The team participates in WUDC/BP format debating, familiarity with that format is a bonus but not as preferred as familiarity with teaching argumentation, debate, rhetoric, and presentational speaking. Of particular interest are candidates who are not committed to any particular contest debating format, but a deep interest in the pedagogy of argumentation, debate, and public address.

Graduate assistants receive a stipend and a tuition waiver for any Masters-degree level program offered by the St. John’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. A listing of graduate programs is available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rYECzjuNJyr0NWs6mejpMg7yedQ2Zj-DpWkvEX The position is contingent on the applicant applying for admission and being admitted to one of these programs. Funding does not extend beyond the programs listed here.

The position will be for two academic years or graduation. Assistants are expected to travel with students to competitions, judge weekly practice debates, assist students with argument creation and development during the week, assist with and run additional teaching seminars with debaters, meet with debaters during the week for one-on-one or small group workshops, and do occasional paperwork related to the travel and budgeting of the debate society including booking hotel rooms, flights, travel arrangements, tournament fees, etc. Assistants are also required to regularly attend debate club meetings and may also be called upon to assist other faculty in adding debate to their courses, as well as so-called “public debate” events.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, a CV, evidence of debate teaching excellence, and a short teaching philosophy to Dr. Stephen M. Llano, Director of Debate at steve.llano@gmail.com. Applications are accepted starting March 23rd, 2016. Review of applications begins immediately.

For more information, contact Dr. Llano by email or phone at 718-990-5606