SURB 2710: Foundations of Urban Theory / Intro to Sustainable Urbanism - Student Teaching Assistant

Supervisor Name:

Catherine Sckerl

Email address:

[email protected]

Position Title:

Teaching Assistant

Course Title:

SURB 2710 - Foundations of Urban Theory / Intro to Sustainable Urbanism

Number of Positions Available:

1

Application Deadline:

Aug 14, 2026

Position Description:

TAs will support the instructor in delivery of this course, which introduces students to the study of cities, the practices of building them, and the evaluation of those practices. Focusing on major developments in 20th- and 21st-century urban studies, students consider the evolution of foundational concepts such as “city,” “urban,” “urbanism,” “urbanization,” and “sustainability.” Students explore prominent themes that have emerged in urban studies, including racial segregation, ghetto formation, citizen participation, cultural placemaking, economic and cultural globalization, social equity, immigration and migration, and climate precarity. In its focus on sustainable urbanism, the course emphasizes perspectives that recognize the interconnectedness of natural and human systems and approaches that foster environmental and social wellbeing.

Applicants should be students who have successfully completed this course in previous semesters; minors/majors in Sustainable Urbanism especially welcome to apply.

Expected Duties:

For approximately 10 hours per week, TAs will be responsible for a range of activities, such as:

--Attending class routinely to track student attendance, in-class participation; entering attendance and participation information into Canvas.

--Tracking assignment submittals, providing feedback, and grading weekly assignments via Canvas.

--Hosting a weekly office hour (in person or via Zoom) to support student learning.

--Attending a brief weekly instructor-TA coordination meeting.

--Supporting class and class prep, including uploading content to Canvas, adjusting slide decks, or guiding in-class discussion of assigned readings.

Proposed Schedule:

Class meets Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2-3:15pm; coordination meeting at a mutually convenient time; flexible otherwise.

Position location:

In-person/On-campus (Uptown)

Student Preferences:

Either Undergraduate or Graduate Student

Application Materials:

Resume

Cover Letter

Class Schedule