Job Description
What I do as Dr. Twelftree's GA:
Research
- borrow books from the library
- photocopy journal articles and book chapters
- order items through inter-library loan (after searching for any full-text versions that are online although not in Regent’s library)
- compile and annotate extensive bibliographies
- survey scholarship in an area (via a bibliography) and determine what the most important and authoritative texts in the area are
- check details in footnotes and look for additional support, or related information
- run searches in BibleWorks
- run searches in TLG
- find and copy abstracts and book reviews for articles and books
- using ATLA and WorldCat, locate items on specific topics
- use microfilm machine to check details in, or make copies of, old journal articles
- aside from current research topics, I have carried out research on more non-traditional subjects including the following: sabbaticals, the dissertation process, what Ph D students do after they graduate, and potential sources for grant money
Writing
- read and provide initial feedback on chapters or articles
- proofread completed texts
- create indexes for finished texts
- search online for contributors to an edited volume
- locate abbreviations for obscure journals
- write abstracts for articles he's written
- respond to editor’s questions on the galley and page proof sheets of books and chapters
Classes
- manage Blackboard
- monitor Blackboard discussion board
- post course materials on Blackboard
- put students in groups in blackboard for discussion board assignments
- post residency schedule on Blackboard immediately prior to residency
- assist students in navigating courses
- email students when necessary (welcoming them to the class, distributing residency materials, responding to questions, informing them of any changes to the syllabus or course schedule)
- assign paper or presentation topics to students as they register for a class
- decipher professor’s handwriting on papers for students
- add items to one of the resources for the students in relation to the class, the Ph D scrapbook (available on his website: www.regent.edu/twelftree)
- Assist professor with residency
- create powerpoints (from the professor’s notes) for class lecture
- reserve and check equipment for classroom for residency
- contact IT with any questions about classroom technology equipment
- attend residencies in order to teach, participate, help the students through the process, as well as troubleshoot for the professor
- put books and articles on reserve for students to check out from the circulation desk for a limited amount of time)
- create daily class schedule for residency
- Teach sessions during residency
- Prepare for, and present on software products such as EndNote, RefWorks, and BibleWorks as part of the course, Advanced Research Methodologies
- Assist professor with managing assignments and papers
- check and mark students’ papers for correct citation style
- run student papers through TurnItIn to check for plagiarism
- return students’ papers, both via email and snail mail
- Assist professor in developing courses
- after residency assist in processing student feedback and, as necessary, modifying and improving the syllabus in preparation for the next time the class is offered
- oversee every stage of syllabus management (update to match current syllabus template and academic calendar,
- submit book adoptions for classes each semester
- keep track of student surveys and other student feedback
Technology
- create unique website for professor based on a template used for Regent’s School of Divinity website
- add content regularly to, and manage, professor’s website
- attend training for using classroom equipment, BlackBoard, RefWorks, BibleWorks, and Microsoft Exchange
- look up free tutorials on how to use additional software such as EndNote and Dreamweaver
- stay up to date on available software products and technological advancements related to teaching and academic study
- electronically scan documents
- create pdf files from Word documents
- recreate a document by scanning it and reformatting the text
- maintain a familiarity with Ph D programs in other institutions
- maintain a familiarity with dissertation requirements and manuals of style
Misc
- record minutes and notes at committee meetings
- fill out order form for new books for the library
- help prepare materials for arranging and marketing a guest lecture
- arrange for a live webcast of a guest lecture
- research background and credentials of editors who have extended an invitation to write an article for a theological dictionary
- help compile items for a dossier