Translation and Tutoring

What are special sections? How are special sections different from other sections? Who teaches special sections?

Special sections (also known as extra credit sections, track two, or WIM sections, depending on the course), are typically offered in large lecture courses, usually in the sciences and social sciences. In these large courses, most students are evaluated based on exams, problem sets, or other modes of engagement that involve minimal writing. Students enrolled in special sections typically engage with course material through writing. This reduces the role exams play in their final grade, or, in some cases, eliminates their obligation to sit for the exams.

Special sections are led by WIM funded TAs, who invite applications from enrolled students and select from among those who apply. In collaboration with the faculty member teaching the parent course, each special section leader design a course-within-a-course intended to satisfy the expectations of the course and discipline as well as the teaching and learning goals of WIM. Special sections typically enroll between 10 and 20 students.

When selecting a special section leader faculty should favor graduate students with previous TA or teaching experience and a demonstrated commitment to teaching. They should also select students with knowledge or expertise in the subject matter of the course.

Although extra-credit sections have a long history with the WIM program, they currently represent a relatively small percentage of WIM courses offered. Of approximately forty courses supported by WIM each year, only seven currently include extra-credit sections.

How do students enroll in special/extra-credit sections?

At the beginning of the semester, the faculty member invites students to apply to the special section. The faculty member often gives the special section TA an opportunity to describe the special section to all enrolled students during the first and/or second class period. Faculty and TAs are encouraged to be creative in figuring out who might be most interested in participating and ensuring that students are aware of the opportunities these sections represent. Applications—which typically involve writing a statement explaining the student’s interest—are submitted to the TA, who selects students.

The model described above represents a standard practice, which departments can adapt to suit the needs of their course and their students.

Who are the WIM teaching assistants?

WIM TAs are graduate students enrolled in the department in which the course is offered, or occasionally in an intellectually contiguous department. (For example, the department of Development Sociology might hire a Sociology graduate student). TAs are selected by the department. TAs should be selected for their expertise in the course and field, as well as for their commitment to teaching. As noted above, leaders of special sections should have some prior teaching experience and a demonstrated commitment to teaching. 

What are the benefits of being a WIM TA?

WIM TAs receive special training through Writing 7101, the six-week training course offered each semester. In this course, they have the opportunity to reflect on teaching and writing in many dimensions, and to work with graduate students representing a range of disciplines from across the university.

We strongly encourage faculty to treat these TAships as mentoring opportunities. Whether the TAs lead special sections, regular discussion sections, or interact with students primarily through office hours and one-on-one meetings, faculty should treat these TAships as professional development opportunities for each TA, and consider how to mentor these TAs as apprentice scholars and teachers.

Who has to take Writing 7101, the TA training course?

All WIM funded TAs are expected to take Writing 7101 the semester they TA.

In courses with multiple TAs, all of whom do comparable work supporting student writing, all TAs should take Writing 7101, no matter how they are funded.

Graduate students are only expected to take Writing 7101 once. Graduate students who have already taken Writing 7100 are exempt

Training is going great.