It's that time of year when the course offerings are posted. As an adjunct, I am the bottom feeder of the food chain. I get whatever scarps, if any, are remaining.
At the last place I taught, I wasn't worried about how many classes I would teach for the next semester. It was pretty much a guarantee that I would at least teach the Business Law course because I was the only one qualified. Also, it was taught every semester becuase it was a required course for business majors. Anything on top of that was gravy. That was the way it worked until the Wicked Witch took over and, well you know the rest.
I am concerned that I will not have the same luck at my new place. I have dropped hints and emails to those in power, but no one has given me a definitive answer. The chair of the department which oversees the Critical Thinking course does not know how many sections because it is a first semester course. No one will know how many sections until the end of the semester.
I would think that the chair of the Business department might have some idea about Business Law. It is also a required course, but I don't know if they offer it every semester. There is also a Business Law II course which is an elective, but there is no indication if it will be offered.
I know I am probably putting the cart before the horse. I guess I am afraid of getting blindsided like I did last year. The only difference is that this time I will be let go because of enrollment and not because someone hates me.
The thought of being on employment hiatus again scares me. I was depressed and frustrated with my life. I don't like uncertainty, and that's the problem with working as an adjunct. There is always that worry that one will not have a gig for the next semester. I have a plan to start hustling to find other adjunct gigs soon, just in case my current employer does not re-hire me.
At least this time, I will be ready.
About Me
- Seeking Solace
- I am a college professor who is fumbling through the chaos of academia, rheumatoid arthritis, working on my PhD and just being a 40 something woman. I used to be a lawyer, which made me a snarky little person. I have a wonderful Husband and a German Shepherd named Junior. They help keep me sane.
Paws to Consider
My Sister's Keeper
5 comments:
First, I'd say wait til the schedule is up. It's not yet. It's not clear from your post: did you speak to the BUS dept?
Second: don't forget local CC's wait awhile and post their needs last minute.
keeping my fingers crossed for you!
You might really enjoy the CC scene....
I really remember the stress of not knowing if you have gigs or not. As an adjunct I tended to constantly work to drum up sections and make connections, then whomever speaks up first gets me. It was kind of fun to tell the last person that I didn't have time to do their last-minute work because the other schools in town had already snapped up the prime spots.
and... I don't know where your Critical Thinking course is housed and I really don't know how qualifications work where you are -- but, you might want to touch base with the philosophy department as well. When I taught Critical Thinking it was always in philosophy -- and I got the classes because nobody else wanted them.
Hoping things work out for you. :)
Post a Comment