Skip to main content

Seminar Courses

A wall covered in multicolored sticky notes arranged in columns.

TIIP offers two interdisciplinary courses on teaching which focus on pedagogical methods as well as contemporary issues for instructors in colleges and universities. These courses will expand your skill sets on issues related to college teaching and will provide a strong message to potential employers about your deep commitment to teaching. If you are interested in pursuing faculty positions in higher education, we encourage you to enroll in these courses. 

These courses are: 

  • Open to all graduate students and postdoctoral scholars; however, with limited spots, preference is given to doctoral students 
  • Free to full-time students 
  • 0-credit 
  • Noted on your transcript 
  • Graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory 

Introduction to College Teaching 

Introduction to College Teaching (16:186:855) explores a wide range of issues pertaining to higher education and college teaching. This intensive experience will enhance your employment marketability and strengthen your pedagogical skills. 

Weekly topics include: 

  • Testing and grading 
  • Assessment and outcomes 
  • Teaching large classes 
  • Motivating students 
  • Developing a teaching philosophy 
  • Multiple roles of faculty 
  • Active learning methodology 

The seminar course will appear on your transcript but will not incur additional fees and will be graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. If you are a postdoc, you will receive a certificate of completion instead of a “satisfactory” grade. 

Offered every Fall, the course meets once a week for 12 weeks of the semester, via Zoom. 

A special permission number is needed to register for the course. Email the Graduate Student Coordinator Team at GradTeaching@rutgers.edu to request one. 

View the most recent syllabus here.

Designing Your Own Course 

Designing Your Own Course (16:186:856) leads students through the process of designing a course which they might someday teach, as well as developing the materials for said course. These include a syllabus, assignments, and lesson plans. 

Topics to be covered include: 

  • Establishing learning goals 
  • Assessment of student learning 
  • Setting course policies 
  • Assignment design 
  • Content delivery 

Prerequisite: Although this course is open to all graduate students and postdocs, students must have at least two semesters of college teaching experience or must have previously taken Introduction to College Teaching. 

The seminar will appear on your transcript but will not incur additional fees and will be graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. If you are a postdoc, you will receive a certificate of completion instead of a “satisfactory” grade. 

Offered every Spring, the course meets once a week for 12 weeks of the semester, via Zoom. 

A special permission number is needed to register for the course. Email the Graduate Student Coordinator Team at GradTeaching@rutgers.edu to request one. 

View the most recent syllabus here.