Full Description
A practical guide for thriving as an adjunct.
Today, more than two-thirds of college courses are taught by part-time or contingent faculty who are navigating a system that too often offers little guidance, support, or stability. Dr. Jan Yager's The Adjunct's Handbook is a clear, practical guide designed to equip adjunct instructors with the knowledge they need to thrive in a challenging and frequently overlooked corner of higher education.
Drawing on insights from more than 100 surveys, interviews with more than 60 adjunct and full-time professors, and her own extensive teaching experience, Yager covers the essential information you need to become and excel as an adjunct. This comprehensive book explains how to:
• Hone your teaching strategies—including how to structure courses, manage students, and adapt to in-person or online formats
• Navigate the system by learning how to apply for teaching positions, negotiate pay, and choose the right institutions for your goals
• Know your rights regarding contracts, unions, intellectual property, other employment, and academic freedom
• Combat isolation by building professional networks, finding connections, and practicing advocacy
Whether you teach in person, online, or in a hybrid environment, as a new adjunct or a seasoned one, Dr. Yager addresses the inequities, questions, isolation, and stigma that too many adjuncts routinely face. She offers concrete strategies for improving working conditions, building community, and advocating for yourself in a field where opportunities and support can be unevenly distributed. Accessible and informative, filled with real-life anecdotes and quotes, The Adjunct's Handbook is essential reading for anyone who is trying to make part-time teaching work.
Contents
Introduction
1. The Pros and Cons of Adjuncting
2. Defining an Adjunct and Getting Hired
3. Learning from Adjuncts in 33 Undergraduate Majors
4. Pay, Benefits, Job Security, and Unions
5. Teaching Load, Course Choice, and Syllabus Design
6. Know Your Rights
7. Best Practices for In-Person Teaching
8. Best Practices for Online Teaching
9. Working More Successfully with Students
10. Getting Along with Others at the College/University
11. Adjuncts and the Media
12. Dealing with Self-Esteem, Stigma, Inclusiveness, and Safety Concerns
13. Turning Your Adjunct Job into a Full-time Position
14. Making Adjuncting Work for You and Your Career Beyond Academia
15. Suggestions for Seasoned Adjuncts
16. Do I Stay, or Do I Go?
17. Summary and Conclusion
Glossary
Additional References
Online Resources
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author
