Your discussion section is a mini social network of peers who can support and encourage each other along your various career paths.

At your first discussion section, your TA will likely ask you to take a blank sheet of paper and a marker and make a "table tent" with your name on it. Bring this to each discussion section -- it helps other students (and your TA) learn your name more quickly.

You will probably also engage in an icebreaker (we know, we know, yet another icebreaker) where you are asked to introduce yourself with not only your name and things like your major or hometown, but also something to generate discussion, like maybe the last book you read that wasn't assigned in class, or the one movie you think everyone should watch at least once (and why), or one fun fact you think you can teach the class because nobody else will know it.

Your TA may even ask you to speculate on the most challenging class you're taking this semester, why you're taking it, and how that class relates to your career goals -- what depth of skills you'll learn from it, what kind of breadth of experience it exposes you to, what concrete products or accomplishments you'll emerge with that could go into an online portfolio, and how the class might help extend your professional social network through relationships you build with instructors and peers.

Over the course of the semester, you'll engage in both informal discussions and formal peer reviews with your classmates, as they give you feedback on your work. You'll learn as much from each other as you do from us!

The best way to build your career narrative is to tell it to others -- and your fellow students are an eager and supportive audience!

Discussion sections in this course are led by graduate student teaching assistants (TAs), who bring a wealth of varied academic and career experiences to the classroom. Get to know your TA as a valuable part of your social network!

Each TA in INTER-LS 215 manages two discussion sections of up to 16 students each. TAs have authority and responsibility for running discussions, handling student concerns, holding regular office hours, managing alumni Skype sessions, and, of course, all grading. In discussion, TAs will often bring up key points from the readings tied to each assignment..

Your TA will hold scheduled office hours in case you need to talk in person about the course (or about anything else). You may always email your TA to ask a question or request a meeting as well.

Assignment grades will generally be posted by the next discussion section after an assignment is due. Any questions about assignment grades should go first to your TA; if the question is not resolved, you may contact the course professor. And your TA will be monitoring your attendance and participation in section.

TA slots in this course are highly competitive, with ten times as many applications as job openings. TAs attend two full days of training at the start of the semester, and meet regularly with the professor to plan discussion activities and ensure that grading of student work consistent. Our TAs are invaluable members of our instructional team.