"Alerted.org

GSI - MIDEAST 201 (Fall 2025)

How to Apply

In additional to applying via the University of Michigan Careers website, applicants are required to fill out the departmental application: https://webapps.lsa.umich.edu/Apply/2142 . In order to be considered for this position, both applications must be completed by the deadline. The departmental application includes:

+ Basic academic and professional information

+ A resume/CV

+ An unofficial transcript

Graduate Student Instructor positions are only open to current or matriculating University of Michigan graduate students.

Questions may be directed to [email protected] .

Course Description

MIDEAST 201: Madness, Medicine, and Magic in the Middle East

All humans experience physical and psychological suffering and seek help from a medical professional. This class examines how such experiences have played out in what is known today as the Middle East, beginning with ancient Babylonia, going through medieval Islamic societies, and ending with contemporary Middle Eastern ones.

The course provides a broad overview of the various medical traditions that have succeeded, interacted, intermingled, conflicted, or replaced one another in this area. We will investigate how in different periods of time mental and physical illness was theorized, diagnosed, and treated. For example, we will learn about cuneiform procedures that offer pharmaceutical recipes and ritual practices for expelling ghosts or the hand of God(dess) diseases; about medieval empirical treaties that sought physical symptoms for mental and emotional states; and about contemporary practices of jinn appeasement and exorcism, among many other topics.

For many of us, medicine is a science that provides an objective understanding of the working of the human body, universally valid irrespective of history and culture. This class has as one of its goals to push this view of medicine to its limits, to question its coherence, and show its cracks.

Intended Audience:

Undergraduates with an interest in historical medical practices or theories

Class Format:

Two 90-minute lectures in addition to a weekly 1-hour discussion section.

More information about this course can be found on the LSA Course Guide ( lsa.umich.edu/cg ).

Responsibilities*

Students who apply to this posting will be considered for one of two 35% GSI positions.

Primary responsibilities of the position include: attending lecture; leading two discussion sections weekly; grading all assignments in consultation with the lead instructor; creating and implementing teaching plans in consultation with the lead instructor; assisting with the assessment of students during final term grading; holding a minimum of two (2) office hours weekly, proctor exams, and meet regularly with the lead instructor.

Students who have not previously been a GSI for the College of LSA will be required to attend the CRLT GSI Teaching Orientation, as well as attendance at the MES New GSI Orientation (Date TBA).

Required Qualifications*

Previous coursework in Middle East/Near Eastern studies, Education, History, or a related discipline relevant to the course content/subject matter. Students whose undergraduate degree is from an institution where the language of instruction is not English must have already taken or be currently enrolled in the English Language Institute?s ELI 994. The student must have a passing score of 4 on the Oral English Test (OET).

Desired Qualifications*

An undergraduate major or minor in literature or history, preferably focused on Education, History, Jewish Studies, Slavic Studies, Middle East or Near Eastern Studies, German, or English. Enrollment in a graduate program focused on Judaic, Slavic, or Middle East Studies, English, Comparative Literature, or History is helpful, as well as previous experience in higher education instruction.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .

Contact Information

Questions may be directed to [email protected] .

Decision Making Process

All applications will be forwarded to the primary instructor of MIDEAST 201. The instructor will make a hiring recommendation to the department and a department administrator will then authorize the appointment paperwork. An interview may be requested.

Selection Process

All applications will be forwarded to the primary instructor of MIDEAST 201. The instructor will make a hiring recommendation to the department and a department administrator will then authorize the appointment paperwork. An interview may be requested.

GEO Contract Information

The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://oie.umich.edu/ and for the University Ombuds at https://ombuds.umich.edu/

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.

This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.

Standard Practice Guide 601.38, **Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions** applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online athttps://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 (https://spg.umich.edu/601.38) , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

266284

Working Title

GSI - MIDEAST 201 (Fall 2025)

Job Title

GRAD STU INSTR

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite

Full/Part Time

Part-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

College Of Lsa

Department

LSA Middle East Studies

Posting Begin/End Date

7/22/2025 - 8/05/2025

Career Interest

Graduate Students

Graduate Student Instructors (GEO)