Job Discussion Forums

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

Yes, I'm familiar with Abrams'book. It's available online as a PDF. It's very similar to Harmon's book in intent, perhaps not quite as dry, though.

The other books I'm not familiar with. I suggested Perrine's book because it can be used as a textbook. There are discussion prompts.

Chinahere · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 18

Hi Op,

I taught Literature Courses to English Majors (3-year Degree and 4-year Degree) in 2004 to 2007 in Normal University. This rough background is years old already but maybe this can inform you somehow.

Text Books: "Survey of British Literature" (in white and orange cover)
"Survey of American Literature (in white and blue cover)
These textbooks are 1/4 in thickness compared to Norton.

Schedule: 2 meetings in a week with each meeting in double period of 45 minutes each and with 10 minutes break in between.

Class Size: 2 sections of 3-year Degree students. Each section has 70 plus students. 2 sections of 4-year Degree students. Each section has 40 plus students.

Exam: A Chinese Professor teaches Historical Background of Brit Lit and another Chinese Professor teaches Historical Background of Am Lit. During my time, in an exam of 100 points for each course, I was only given 30 points while the Chinese Professors get the 70. I divided my 30 points in multiple type questions, true or false, quotable quotes and essay.

Teaching Style: Chinese teachers in general have a speedy way of covering and finishing the textbooks. You might find yourself logging behind your Chinese Professors counterpart. I say counterparts because some works and of course their writers included in your own textbooks are also included in the textbooks of the Chinese Professors teaching the Historical Background and as you are dwelling in one work and writer extensively you realized later that where you are at is way behind compared to your students class with their Chinese Professors. I used some literary theories in analyzing the works like Feminism and it was really something new to the students and even the teachers as sometimes teachers would sit in my class. The Chinese Professors, in general still do Formalism and Structuralism approaches. The students love to listen to their Foreign Teacher read the poetry works. You might be asked to teach Elective Courses too like Literary Approaches as I was asked to before to cover the no. of hours in your contract. I was also asked to advise some students on their Undergrad Papers and of course to panel in the Oral Defense of Undergrad Papers.

I hope this informs you a bit of what to expect in your teaching. Good luck to you. Let us know here about your current experience as I will be going back to Literature teaching next school year.

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

I have to ask: how does an FT get a job teaching literature in China? must one have an Ive League degree?

Chinahere · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 18

Not necessarily.

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

The_Philadelphianist · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:14 pm Post subject:

The_Philadelphianist · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:19 pm Post subject:

Chinahere · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 18

You're welcome Op.

Just remember I taught in Normal University so your teaching situation might be different from mine. As I gathered from your original post you will be teaching in a University that specializes in the Sciences.

By the way, I got my education from a Jesuit University too.

Good luck. And update us here about your current situation as I already secured a job for next school year and I'll be teaching Literature again.