by Dr Davis on October 27, 2009
I heard that one of the papers from Texas Medieval Association is also being read at Kalamazoo. Hmm. I thought people weren’t supposed to present the same paper at more than one conference. I actually changed my paper in a major way because it was 1/3 like another paper I had written and I decided that was too close.
But I know last year, one woman at a conference gave the same paper to eleven different conferences. She just made sure the conference audiences did not overlap. I’m guessing she was up for tenure. She was young, though, so maybe not.
Is it accepted to present the same paper more than once?
by Dr Davis on October 26, 2009
I sent out an identical CFP to both the faculty at CC1 and at SLAC.
From SLAC I received three “thank you” emails back and one response on the issue. That’s out of twelve teachers.
From CC1 I received nothing. That’s out of forty teachers.
There may be, after all, some reasons for my feelings of isolation as an adjunct.
by Dr Davis on October 25, 2009
At one college, I teach in two different departments. The non-English department has said that if they have a full-time position open, I will get it.
However, I just talked to the English dean and she said that she is trying to get me pulled from the non-English department so that English won’t lose me.
So… Because I am a good teacher, I’m going to lose my full-time opportunity?
Yuck.
Now, if I work full-time for the non-English department I will be teaching four sections of the same course, which could get boring, but if I don’t let it, it won’t.
And I’ve been working on finding CFPs that allow me to do research for that part of my job, intending to build up my CV in that area. However, if I’m going to be pulled, that won’t be useful.
Also, I just found out that the upper division class I was asked to teach in another department did not make the cut of new classes, so it doesn’t exist. I can’t teach a class that doesn’t exist, so I don’t get to teach it either.
I guess I need to be more careful of what the dean says…. And what I say to the dean.
by Dr Davis on October 24, 2009
I love taking tests, surveys, and any introspective quizzes. So… Here are my answers to the adjunct survey from the Chronicle.
Highest Degree
PhD
# of institutions June 2008-May 2009
2
Which type of class did you teach most often?
Introductory
This year, however, at SLAC I am primarily teaching majors courses.
Estimate your total income from adjuncting
Okay.
Oh, they want numbers. Between $15K and 20K. I taught full-time last year.
What is the primary reason you work as an adjunct?
Up until last year, to fit with demands of family life.
Now, because I can’t get a full-time job.
Did the institution provide:
offices –Yes
money for conferences –No
professional development –Yes
support services –Yes
Did you:
help develop courses –Yes
serve on faculty committees –No
attend department meetings –No
Advising?
None
Pursue own writing and research?
Yes
Considering all aspects as an adjunct,
I am satisfied.
by Dr Davis on October 23, 2009
I got certification for teaching online this past summer.
Online teaching experience was the last hurdle that full-time positions have thrown at me (besides my age). So I’ve been working towards getting over that hurdle.
This spring I will be teaching an online freshman composition course. I am looking forward to it.
Now I need to get cracking on the course design section of the class.
by Dr Davis on October 23, 2009
As I was editing my paper for the Texas Medieval Association conference, I had to take out a section which I really liked. So I am posting it here.
To some extent the poetic adaptations and the Christianization were two parts of a single aim. As Belanoff wrote, “The Judith-poet saw his source through Christian eyes but transmuted that source into Old English poetry through the use of a vernacular idiom deeply steeped in the forms, sounds, and connotative power of Anglo-Saxon poetic language” (253).
by Dr Davis on October 22, 2009
If you want to know more about who I am, even though the person discussed is NOT me, read what the Chronicle has to say about Nancy Christensen. I am a little farther along in the process, but two years ago, I was her.
The article section starts out with:
“Using adjunct teaching to provide balance in their lives, like Mr. Anderson does, is a common theme among adjuncts, particularly those seeking to level the work-life seesaw.”
Exactly.
Another money quote, pardon the pun:
“The desire for more money is shared by many adjuncts, of course. But for some, it can be overpowered by the desire to teach.”
by Dr Davis on October 22, 2009
It’s no wonder my students don’t remember to do what I tell them; I don’t remember it either.
I have made great strides in remembering to treat email as if it were a letter as it references in name rather than the memorandum form it echoes visually. But yesterday one of my chairs read out an email I wrote to her, “‘Dear X,’ No, it doesn’t say Dear, it just says X.”
Guess I really need to work on that.
by Dr Davis on October 22, 2009
I still haven’t heard anything official-sounding on the book. Just “the check is being processed.”
My dad is getting worried. He’s afraid in this economic time, the company might fold first.
I’m not too worried about that, but I was worried about the amount of time it has been since I heard that and now.
However, this week I sent a review in for renumeration. They said the check would be sent out in four to six weeks. It’s only been one month (exactly) since I got the email about the book check, so I have two more weeks to go, plus a few days for the post to arrive.
by Dr Davis on October 22, 2009
The Texas Medieval Association conference starts tomorrow. I’ve totally re-written my paper (since I had decided it wasn’t good enough) and I’m fairly happy with it now.
I am also looking forward to having dinner with my eldest son since he is at UT: Austin now.
