Applying to Teach the Dean's Book Course
Thank you for your interest in teaching a section of our seminar series, the Dean’s Book Course. Each term the DBC brings students together to discuss a common text, research a topic it raises for them, and present their research to the class.
Most everyone who’s taught in the DBC has enjoyed the experience immensely. It’s an opportunity to work with a talented group of students and to get to know other faculty, staff and professionals from across the campus and valley, whom you might otherwise never have met.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Teaching applicants are asked to submit a letter of interest and curriculum vitae to the Dean’s Book Course director (deansbook@comcol.umass.edu). An email letter, along with a curriculum vitae attachment, is recommended. A telephone or personal interview with the director and possibly a small search committee will then be held. In addition, before a contract can be processed, the University requires three letters of reference for anyone not currently employed by UMass Amherst. New instructors are generally brought onto the DBC teaching staff in the fall only, not in the spring. Most classes are taught by returning instructors; new instructors are hired as current instructors leave and/or enrollment increases.
QUICK COURSE OVERVIEW
There are three levels to the Dean’s Book Course — one for entering students, another for sophomores, and a third for juniors and seniors. Students are required to take all three levels during their careers at Commonwealth College. And while the curriculum differs for each level, sections within each level follow the same set curriculum. Therefore, there’s no real curriculum development required of instructors. Nor do instructors need to devise their own syllabi; Commonwealth College provides all necessary classroom materials. If you would like to review these materials, go to For Faculty > Assignments.
WHEN DBC CLASSES MEET
The Dean’s Book Course begins the second week of the semester and runs for 7 weeks. Sections meet once a week for two hours and carry 1 credit. Next fall the course’s seven-week term will start on September 10 and conclude October 26. See the Current Schedule for details.
ORIENTATION FOR NEW (AND VETERAN) DBC INSTRUCTORS
Prior to the start of each term, we provide a day-long orientation required for all instructors. The fall orientation is scheduled during the week before UMass begins its fall term--this year, Wednesday, August 29 and Thursday, August 30. Instructors may choose to attend either day according to their own schedules. Please keep in mind, however, that you must be able to attend the session on one of these two dates if you’d like to teach.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON FACULTY ROUNDTABLES
Throughout the 7-week DBC term, faculty gather on Friday afternoons for informal discussions of teaching issues and, on alternate weeks, expert presentations on issues related to the semester’s book. Since most instructors find these gatherings extremely helpful (and pleasant), I ask all new instructors to attend at least three roundtables each term. Roundtables run from 3:00 to 5:00, and refreshments are served.
COMPENSATION
Compensation is $1800 for a 7-week term. We follow the usual arrangement that if you are presently a University employee, you and your department head or supervisor sort out whether this is part of your workload and the department gets the reimbursement, or it is additional work and the compensation goes to you. Part-time appointments are made to those not presently on the University payroll.
Thank you again for your interest in the Dean’s Book Course. If you have any questions, please email call 413. 577.3913 or email deansbook@comcol.umass.edu.
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