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1 GSI2 for ENVIRON 209 (Brian Klein) 35%)

How to Apply

This is a posting for one Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) at 35% FTE. Please make sure you complete the application on UofM Careers (this website) by clicking the orange "Apply Now" button. **You will need to have the following pieces of information combined into one document before you begin:**

1. a cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position

2. a resume or curriculum vita

3. copy of the undergraduate and graduate transcript (unofficial is fine)

4. teaching history (list course and department)

5. any available teaching evaluations

Name the .PDF file as follows: LastName.FirstName.CourseNumber. For example: Doe.John.Environ209

Verify your own course schedule against the schedule for the course to which you are applying as a GSI. All GSIs are required to attend the lecture and discussion times as posted. In Winter 2024, the ENVIRON 209 GSI posting had 42 applicants.

Course Description

Political ecology is an interdisciplinary field of study that tries to understand (and critique) the roots of our present environmental crises-unsustainable resource extraction, environmental injustice, resource-based conflict, inequality and underdevelopment, climate catastrophe-and to envision more promising paths and futures. It is an approach to interpreting human-environment interactions that takes seriously the role of history, of connections across multiple scales, of narratives and representation, of differentiation and power, and of resource materialities in shaping socio-political dynamics and ecological outcomes. Political ecological analyses often examine how localized environmental problems or conflicts are embedded within (and constitutive of) larger political-economic and socio-ecological systems. In doing so, they generally work to uncover and explain processes of dispossession and oppression, especially of marginalized groups and resource-dependent communities in the Global South. They also, however, highlight occasions of resistance-for example, cases of autonomous local resource management and control?so as to identify alternative, resilient, emancipatory forms of sustainable development and democratic ecological politics in the modern era. This course is an introduction to political ecology's theoretical foundations, research frameworks, major themes, and contemporary forms. As such, we will engage with concepts from political ecology's scholarly antecedents (especially critical political economy, post-structuralism, and feminist political economy), with exemplary work from political ecology proper, and with relevant writings in the adjacent disciplines of human geography, environmental anthropology, and critical environmental history.

Responsibilities*

+ Grader for multiple student exercises, providing feedback on content, with instructor oversight.

+ Grader for student midterm exam and final paper (and/or perhaps a collaborative project)

+ Weekly office hours and willingness to meet with students as needed

+ Attend all lectures

+ Lead two weekly discussion sections

+ Complete all readings

Required Qualifications*

+ Basic competency in Word and Excel as well as in using Canvas and other course websites.

+ Successful completion of undergraduate course similar in content to ENVIRON 209 or graduate course such as EAS 542 or EAS 577, or familiarity with political ecology through independent study / research.

+ Applicant must be in good standing as a graduate student at the University of Michigan. If the language of instruction at a student's undergraduate institution was not English, he/she must be evaluated by the English Language Institute (ELI) for English proficiency and either pass the GSI-OET or have this test waived by the ELI before gaining eligibility for a GSI appointment in LS&A.

Desired Qualifications*

+ Previous teaching experience is desired

+ Experience in courses on environmental economics and policy is desired

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) .

Additional Information

If you have questions about how to apply for the position, please email SEAS Financial Aid at [email protected] .

Contact Information

Instructor: Brian Klein [email protected] .

Decision Making Process

Faculty review applications for positions in their courses and indicate their ranked preferences. They are also asked to indicate whether they regard any applicants as unqualified and why based on the Required and Desired qualifications listed above. Faculty may look at previous teaching experience as a positive, but will not view a lack of teaching experience as a negative on an application.

Applications are NOT rolling. Faculty will not be provided with any applications until after the application deadline.

In the event that a student is ranked as the number one preference for multiple courses, they will receive multiple offer letters and have the opportunity to decide which offer they want to accept.

We expect to have all initial offers out by Friday, November 21st, 2025

Selection Process

Instructors have access to their position description and selection criteria along with the applications for their course(s). Instructors review their applications and rank the candidates for each position. Once professors have submitted their top candidates, candidates are matched to the professors who selected them and sent offer letters.

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

269731

Working Title

1 GSI2 for ENVIRON 209 (Brian Klein) 35%)

Job Title

GRAD STU INSTR

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Part-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

School Nat Res Envir

Department

Program in the Environment

Posting Begin/End Date

10/20/2025 - 11/03/2025

Career Interest

Graduate Students

Graduate Student Instructors (GEO)