Opportunity: Philosophy Tutors – Paid Internship

The Department of Philosophy will again offer a drop-in service for undergraduates who seek help with material in their philosophy courses. Abelard Podgorski and Karl Devries are our tutors this year and they are doing an amazing job.

The tutoring positions will officially be turned in an internship by the beginning of next semester. There will be the opportunity to sign up for an accompanying internship course for academic credit (voluntary).

We seek again two philosophy students who are at least juniors by spring semester 2010, have at least 15 credit hours in philosophy, and have earned at least a 3.5 average in those classes. They must also have at least a 3.0 GPA overall. While no specific courses are required, it is helpful for at least one tutor to have taken PHL 330. In addition to the application, a letter of recommendation from professor in the philosophy department is required. Internships will be paid $8.75/hour.

Tutors will be responsible for staffing a drop-in office in South Kedzie Hall. The drop-in center will be open one night a week for 2-3 hours. Regardless of the traffic it is important that the tutors remain for the full three hours. The work will involve reading drafts of papers and assignments, offering constructive feedback, and effectively guiding the student through the process of crafting an argument. It will involve helping students understand difficult philosophical material. Helping students with logic assignments will be an important part of your work.

It is important that the tutors have good communication skills and a strong grounding in the various areas of philosophy. Additionally, tutors will benefit from the ability to read and identity the different elements of an argument quickly. Working as a tutor will also strengthen these skills, and the experience as a tutor will help with the tutor’s own professional development and philosophical skills.

If you have questions, contact Prof. Christian Lotz. If you are interested, fill out the attached questionnaire. Completed applications must be returned to Prof. Christian Lotz by December 1. Please print out your application and drop it off in the front office of the philosophy department (503 South Kedzie Hall). Please do not send it by email.

Regards,

Prof. Christian Lotz

lotz@msu.edu