Teaching is part of the training of a Ph.D. candidate, and the Department recognizes a responsibility to provide the appropriate instruction. Teaching Assistants are required to attend a mini-seminar in teaching methods before the start of classes. They must also complete a ten-session seminar where they can discuss issues of curriculum development, course organization and pedagogy on a more theoretical level. Teaching Assistants work under the supervision of the Language Program Director. Typically, students hold Teaching Assistantships throughout much of their graduate career.
Students are encouraged to publish and to attend conferences while in graduate school. Support is available for travel to professional meetings to present papers. Support is also available for student-sponsored speakers and conferences. Graduate students sponsor an annual conference in cooperation with their peers in the French program at UC Santa Barbara.
