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Assistantship Portfolio

A graduate student, upon application or acceptance in the M.F.A. dance program, may request consideration as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA). TAs independently instruct dance courses for non-major university students in movement technique and theory. RAs assist faculty and staff in research and creative projects pertaining to such areas as community partnerships, production, new course development, and grant proposals. Assistantships are designated as .25 (“quarter-time”), .33 (“third-time”), and .50 (“half-time”) and are awarded for one year with the possibility of renewal. The assistantship carries with it a minimum salary determined by various university administrative units, plus selected benefits depending on the percentage of the assistantship (see http://www.asu.edu/graduate/ for details). The assistantship percentage also determines the maximum number of credit hours for which a student can be registered. The availability and number of assistantships for students are determined by the department’s annual budget, necessary course offerings, necessary assistance for research and creative projects, and the graduate student’s success within the degree program. To be considered for a 2007-2008 academic year assistantship, please follow the directions below.

Students must compile a portfolio that includes a cover letter indicating which type of assistantship(s) is requested. Essential information such as the date of request, student’s name, ASU identification number, mailing address, and permanent address must be described in the letter.

Portfolio materials for students seeking a teaching assistantship are:

1. One (1) reference letter from a teaching supervisor that has assessed the applicant’s instructional ability
2. A 250-word teaching philosophy statement discussing the applicant’s pedagogical approach
3. A course syllabus or outline of a course previously taught by the applicant
4. A résumé of the applicant’s teaching experience that addresses:
   1. Nature of teaching responsibility (primary instructor, teaching assistant, etc.)
   2. Name of course
   3. Where teaching occurred (university, high school, studio, etc.)
   4. When teaching took place (dates)
   5. Meeting times per week
   6. Length of class session
   7. Age of participants
   8. Brief description of course content

Portfolio materials for students seeking a research assistantship are:

PRODUCTION

1. One (1) reference letter from a production supervisor that has assessed the applicant’s technical production ability
2. Photographs or other information pertinent to your expertise in production
3. A résumé of the applicant’s production experience that addresses:
   1. Nature of production responsibility (stage manager, lighting designer, etc.)
   2. Name of production
   3. Where production occurred (type and size of venue)
   4. When production took place (dates)
   5. Number of production performances
   6. Length of production
   7. Age of participants
   8. Brief description of production

RESEARCH

1. One (1) reference letter from a research supervisor that has assessed the applicant’s research skills and scholarship
2. Two (2) examples of papers, articles, and/or publications of applicant’s work
3. A résumé of the applicant’s research experience that addresses:
   1. Nature of research responsibility (grant writing, data collecting, analysis, etc.)
   2. Name of research project
   3. Where research occurred
   4. When research took place (dates)
   5. Brief description of research

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